The FY 2024 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year food and administrative funding allocations.
USDA requests comments from the public—including the food industry and research community—to help inform future policy and decisions about potentially updating Thrifty Food Plan cost estimates for the State of Hawaii.
States annually update Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) to reflect changes in utility costs. When determining a household’s eligibility, states consider a household’s total shelter costs, including the cost of utilities. Since actual utility costs are often hard to determine, states can use SUAs, which are standard amounts that represent low-income household utility costs in the state or local area. SUAs may be used in lieu of the household's actual costs when determining eligibility and benefit amount.
The market basket costs in the Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 apply to the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. By law, the USDA must make cost adjustments to the Thrifty Food Plan to reflect the cost of food in Alaska and Hawaii. The Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii report provides updated estimates of the June 2022 cost of the reevaluated Thrifty Food Plan in Alaska and Hawaii.
USDA produces four food plans outlining practical, nutritious diets at successively higher cost levels: the Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans. The Thrifty Food Plan serves as the basis for maximum allotments in SNAP.
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion was created in 1994 to improve the health of Americans by developing and promoting dietary guidance that links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers.
This document provides the initial study plan for the reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, 2026. This initial study plan is based on information available as of April 2023. The USDA, FNS intends to publish a final study plan by early 2026.
The USDA food plans represent a healthy diet at four different cost levels. Each food plan specifies quantities of food and beverage categories that can be purchased and prepared to make healthy meals and snacks at home.
The fiscal year 2023 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year FY 2023 TEFAP food and administrative funding allocations.
The following list provides the federal requirements for WIC-eligible foods. USDA requirements for WIC-eligible foods can be found in 7 CFR Part 246.10 and WIC Policy Memorandum #2015-3, Eligibility of White Potatoes for Purchase with the Cash-Value Vouchers.