Emergency Food Programs Section (EFPS)
The Emergency Food Programs Section (EFPS) administers several food distribution programs throughout the State of California.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
TEFAP provides United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commodities to a network of 49 food banks for distribution to eligible individuals and households within 58 counties. In order to be eligible for USDA commodities, a recipient or household must reside in the geographical area being served and meet established income guidelines. Click on the link TEFAP Providers to find the food bank in your county.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
CSFP is a USDA program administered by CDSS through partnerships with local agencies throughout California. The program is designed to improve the health of low-income seniors by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA approved foods. For additional eligibility information select the Fact Sheets link below, and to view a list of the participating local agencies, select the link for CSFP Providers.
State Food Programs Unit
The State food programs Unit strives to serve vulnerable children, Adults, families and communities in need. State Food Programs Unit administers the following programs:
- CalFood
- Diaper Bank Program and Menstrual Pilot Program (MPP)
- Drought Food Assistance Program (DFAP)
- Emergency Food for Families Fund (Tax Check-Off)
- One Time Legislative Grants/Gifts
Please visit the State Food Programs Unit & Information Page for more information on these programs.
California Food Bank Capacity Program
The California Food Bank Capacity Program has been established for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 within the CDSS to provide grants for emergency food provider capacity development to Providers and Eligible Entities. The grants shall support one-time capacity enhancements that support the collection, storage, and distribution systems required to adequately serve the food insecurity needs of California, as well as enhancements to ensure the resilience of the emergency food delivery system during climate crises and disasters. The department shall allow investments for the use of grant funds awarded under this provision, including, but not limited to, improvements in the following areas:
- Transportation
- Cold storage
- Warehouse equipment and supplies
- Technology
- External facility expansion
- Generation and storage of backup power
- Electric vehicles
- Charging stations
- Panel, wiring, and other necessary utility upgrades
- Other systems required to adequately serve the food insecurity needs of California
Tribal Nutrition Assistance Program (TNAP)
The Tribal Nutrition Assistance Program (TNAP) was established through the Budget Act 2022 (Section 87 of Senate Bill 187, Chapter 10.2, Statues of 2022) for eligible tribes and tribal organizations for the purpose of addressing food insecurity and inequities between CalFresh benefits and the federal Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). This program should be an annual appropriation.