Description

	Provides foods and administrative funds to States to improve the diets of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women; their infants and children up to 6 years of age; and persons 60 years of age and older.
	Works with local agencies, which determine applicants’ eligibility, distribute foods, and provide nutrition education. They also provide referrals to other welfare, nutrition, and health care programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid).
	Provides food packages to supplement the diet of target populations (e.g., infant formula and cereal, dairy products, juices, peanut butter, dry beans or peas, canned meat, poultry or tuna, and canned fruits and vegetables).

Background

	The program was created in 1968 and authorized under the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended.
	USDA provides commodity foods and administrative funds to State agencies, which administer the program at the State level.

Participants

	An average of 475,307 participated in CSFP each month in FY 2008, including 444,380 elderly people and 30,927 women, infants, and children.
	Participants must meet low-income standards and reside in an approved service area of a participating State or Indian Tribal Organization.
	Participants include elderly persons with income at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG); and women, infants, and children with income at or below 185 percent of the FPIG.
	Some women, infants, and children may be considered automatically eligible if participating in other public assistance programs.

Budget

$107.2 million in FY 2007.

Contact Information

For complete information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/csfp/ or contact your state agency that administers the CSFP. View agency listings at www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/sdacontacts.htm.

Last modified: January 2009