The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) was initiated in 1981 to
reduce inventories and storage costs of surplus commodities through
distribution to needy households. While some surplus food is still
distributed through TEFAP, Congress (since 1989) has appropriated funds to
purchase additional commodities for households. South Dakota uses TEFAP
commodities in the soup kitchens and food banks.
TEFAP was not designed to serve as a primary food source. It was designed
as an outlet for surplus commodities, and it has effectively achieved that
goal. The nutritional needs of TEFAP households can best be met through
other food assistance programs such as WIC and the Food Stamp Program or
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
In South Dakota, agencies received $384,487 worth of commodities, which
would be approximately 640,000 pounds of food. For information about
participating in the food distribution programs for charitable institutions,
soup kitchens, food banks, or Food Distribution Program on Indian
reservations call (605) 773-3413.
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