What the Farm Bill Means for Millions of Americans

The final Farm Bill makes significant progress in moving toward our vision of a hunger free America. It represents a huge step forward for both TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) and the Food Stamp Program. Unless otherwise indicated, many of the Nutrition Title's provisions of particular importance to Food Banks across America and to low-income Americans will take effect in FY 2009 (October 1, 2008).

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

• Includes mandatory funding of $190 million for TEFAP food purchases in FY 2008 (current fiscal year); $250 million in FY 2009; and $250 million with annual indexing beginning in FY 2010. These figures represent a $50 million increase this year and a $110 million increase for Fiscal Year 2009 that begins October 1, 2008
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• Includes an authorization of $100 million for TEFAP storage and distribution costs beginning in FY 2008. This funding is subject to the annual appropriations process.

The Food Stamp Program

• New Food Stamp Program name - the "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program" (SNAP).
• Increases and indexes for inflation the Food Stamp Program's standard deduction and minimum benefit (impacting about 11 million low-income individuals).
• Eliminates the Food Stamp Program's cap on the dependent care deduction. Increases the Food Stamp Program's resource limits and excludes tax-preferred retirement accounts and education accounts from the resource limits.
• Simplifies administration of the Food Stamp Program for participants and states by building on successful initiatives from the last farm bill.
• Allows food banks and other nonprofits to continue to engage in innovative Food Stamp Program outreach and enrollment activities.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

• Reauthorizes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and eliminates the priority service requirement for mothers with children over participating older America
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New Grant Opportunities

• Includes a $15 million authorization (subject to the annual appropriations process) for "Emergency Food Program Infrastructure Grants." These competitive grants would be provided to emergency feeding organizations for a variety of initiatives, including capacity and infrastructure needs, software, food transportation, and operating costs. Of these grants, not less than 50% of funding would be targeted to entities that serve predominantly rural communities.
• Includes an authorization for new "Hunger Free Communities Collaboration Grants" and "Hunger Free Communities Infrastructure Grants" which will be administered by USDA. The Farm Bill authorizes funding for these grant programs at "such sums as are necessary." Eligible activities under the Hunger Free Communities Collaboration Grants include community outreach to increase participation in federal nutrition programs, like the Summer Food Service Program, and new resources and strategies to help reduce and prevent hunger through initiatives like community gardens, food cooperatives, and community kitchens. Funding under the Hunger Free Communities Infrastructure Grants may be used to construct, expand, or repair a facility or equipment to support hunger relief efforts in a community, among other activities.