The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low-income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), administers TEFAP at the federal level; and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam administer the program at the state level. USDA provides 100% American-grown USDA Foods and administrative funds to states to operate TEFAP.

Through TEFAP, USDA purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality USDA Foods, and makes those foods available to state distributing agencies. The amount of food each state agency receives is based on the number of unemployed persons and the number of people living below the poverty level in the state/territory. State agencies provide the food to local agencies that they have selected, usually food banks, which distribute the food to local organizations that directly serve the public, such as soup kitchens and food pantries. State agencies also provide the food to other types of local organizations, such as community action agencies, which distribute the foods directly to individuals. These local organizations distribute USDA Foods to eligible recipients for household consumption or use them to prepare and serve meals.

State agencies also receive administrative funds through TEFAP to support the storage and distribution of USDA Foods. These funds must, in part, be passed down to local agencies.

The program is authorized by The Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 and The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Federal TEFAP regulations can be found at 7 CFR Parts 250 and 251.

Public or private nonprofit organizations that provide nutrition assistance to people with low-income, by providing prepared meals or food for use at home, may be eligible to distribute USDA Foods through TEFAP. These organizations are known as eligible recipient agencies (ERAs), and TEFAP state agencies are in charge of selecting the ERAs that they will work with in their state or territory. All ERAs must meet minimum requirements outlined in program regulations; for example, those that provide prepared meals must demonstrate that they predominately serve people with low-income.

The types of foods USDA purchases for TEFAP vary depending on the preferences of state agencies and on agricultural market conditions. More than 130 nutritious, high-quality products are available. Products include canned, frozen, dried, juiced, and fresh fruits and vegetables; protein items such as meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and beans; whole and enriched grains such as rice, flour, cereals, pasta, and tortillas; and dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. For a complete list of foods available through TEFAP, refer to the USDA Foods Available List for TEFAP.

Recipients of food for home consumption must meet statewide income eligibility guidelines. State agencies set these guidelines, which may allow recipients to be income eligible for TEFAP via participation in other existing food, health, or social service programs for which eligibility is based on income.

Upon applying, the applicant is required to self-declare

Household members
Residency information
1. Residency in the State of Montana is required for participation
2. Households are not required to provide an address or identification to demonstrate residency. ERAs are no longer required to collect and maintain household addresses on file
Incomes
1. Household income must be below 300% of the current federal poverty guidelines.

2025 The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP

Income guidelines, effective January 16, 2025

300% of poverty index

TEFAP Income Guidelines
FFY 2025 FINAL TEFAP INCOME GUIDELINES
HOUSEHOLD SIZE	FEDERAL POVERTY	TEFAP ELDERLY ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINE - 300% OF POVERTY
		ANNUAL	MONTHLY	TWICE PER MONTH	EVERY TWO WEEKS	WEEKLY


1	$15,650	$46,950	$3,913	$1,956	$1,806	$903

2	$21,150	$63,450	$5,288	$2,644	$2,440	$1,220

3	$26,650	$79,950	$6,663	$3,331	$3,075	$1,538

4	$32,150	$96,450	$8,038	$4,019	$3,710	$1,855

5	$37,650	$112,950	$9,413	$4,706	$4,344	$2,172

6	$43,150	$129,450	$10,788	$5,394	$4,979	$2,489

7	$48,650	$145,950	$12,163	$6,081	$5,613	$2,807

8	$54,150	$162,450	$13,538	$6,769	$6,248	$3,124
For each add'l family member, add……….	$5,500	$16,500	$1,375	$688	$635	$317

Based on the US Department of Health and Human Services Annual Update of the Poverty Guidelines as published in the Federal Register.

The Food Distribution Section of the Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau (IHSB) of the Human and Community Services Division (HCSD) of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has included the 2025 USDA Approved State Plan for the operation of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Montana. This State Plan complies with 7 CFR Parts 250 and 251. Revisions to the plan are made annually and sent to USDA for approval as needed to reflect state changes or USDA federal regulation and policy changes.

2025 TEFAP Approved State Plan

Eligible Recipient Agencies contracted under the Montana State Department of Public Health and Human Services:

COMMUNITY KITCHEN KALISPELL

246 2^nd Ave E
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 300-2362

GOD'S LOVE
533 N Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 442-7000

LOAVES & FISHES
301 S Main St.
Livingston, MT 59047
(406) 222-4824

MEDICINE BEAR SHELTER
201 2^nd St. NW
Browning, MT 59417
(406) 338-7842

PLAINS AOG SHEKINAH KITCHEN
300 Clayton St
Plains, MT 59859
(406) 726-3800

POVARELLO CENTER
1110 W. Broadway St.
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 728-1809

SAFE HARBOR
63506 US Highway 93
Ronan, MT 59864
(406) 676-0800

SALVATION ARMY
110 Bountiful Dr.
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 257-4357

MONTANA FOOD BANK NETWORK
5780 Alloy North
Missoula, MT 59808
(406) 721-3825

infor@mfbn.org

Eligibility Recipient Agencies (ERA) contracted under MFBN*:

*If your community or region is not currently served by TEFAP, you may be able to receive additional food from the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) partner agencies. Visit the MFBN website for a map of locations and contact information.