Emergency Food Assistance Program EFAP 101

What is the EFAP program? The Emergency Food Assistance Program is federally and state funded food program which distributes USDA commodities to nonprofit and government agencies. These agencies in turn distribute commodities to qualified individuals/families free of charge. All agencies must comply with federal, state, local and EFAP regulations in order to maintain their EFAP participation. The Emergency Food Assistance Program is federally and state funded food program which distributes USDA commodities to nonprofit and government agencies. These agencies in turn distribute commodities to qualified individuals/families free of charge. All agencies must comply with federal, state, local and EFAP regulations in order to maintain their EFAP participation.

EFAP Agreement Participating EFAP agencies must have a current EFAP agreement on file with the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. The agreement states the EFAP policies that must be kept in order to remain a participating agency. Failure to comply with the agreement will place your agency account on hold or possibly suspension or termination. Participating EFAP agencies must have a current EFAP agreement on file with the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. The agreement states the EFAP policies that must be kept in order to remain a participating agency. Failure to comply with the agreement will place your agency account on hold or possibly suspension or termination.

EFAP Policies Distribution  Clients are never asked to donate money or time in exchange for EFAP commodities.  The only requirement to receive EFAP commodities is to self certify using the income guidelines.  Clients sign the EFAP sign-in sheet.  Agencies that ask clients to complete an application or intake interview in order to receive food must advise clients it is not a requirement in order to receive EFAP commodities only.  Agencies cannot conduct political or religious activitiy in conjunction with food distribution.

Income Guidelines & Sign-In Sheet

Signs that need to be posted during EFAP distributions

Storage Area Requirements  Clean  Free from infestation  Commodities stored at suggested holding temperatures  Commodities stored three inches off the floor and away from the wall  Stored against theft, spoilage, misuse and loss

EFAP Reporting Requirements  Agencies must submit a Household Participation report to the Foodbank by the 5 th business day of the month for the previous month.  Agencies must submit a Perpetual Inventory report to the Foodbank by the 5 th business day of the month for the previous month.  Failure to submit reports on time will place your account on hold until received.

EFAP Monthly Reports

EFAP Files  EFAP monthly reports, Foodbank invoices and EFAP sign-in sheets must be kept at the EFAP distribution site.  Files must be kept for fours years.

EFAP Training  EFAP training is available at the Foodbank on a regular basis.  Two people from each EFAP participation agency must be trained in EFAP policies.

 Only Emergency Feeding Organizations (EFO) that currently participate in TEFAP and have been participating in TEFAP since at least September 30, 2009 are eligible to apply. EFOs that began participating in TEFAP on October 1, 2009 or later are not eligible to apply. The applicant must include with its application a letter certifying the applicant's participation in TEFAP Who can Apply?

 Allowable Uses of Funding  Funding may be used to carry out activities of the EFO as long as funds are used for a federally allowable TEFAP administrative expense per 7 CFR Part 251. If an applicant is from a State that further restricts allowable TEFAP administrative expenses, allowability will be determined based on Federal regulations, not State-specific policy. Food purchases will not be considered.