FNS Documents & Resources

The FY 2024 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year food and administrative funding allocations.

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.

The fiscal year 2023 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year FY 2023 TEFAP food and administrative funding allocations.

In September 2020, in response to a Congressional Directive, the USDA contracted with Insight Policy Research to conduct the Measuring the Cost of a Thrifty Food Plan in Puerto Rico study. The purpose of the study is to provide CNPP with options for measuring the cost of a TFP in Puerto Rico.

The Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 was released on Aug. 16, 2021. The TFP represents the cost of a nutritious, practical, cost-effective diet.

The fiscal year 2021 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year FY 2021 TEFAP food and administrative funding allocations and requests the amount of food funding that states want to convert to administrative funding in FY 2021. The memo also includes information about the amended reallocation process for FY 2020 administrative funds and guidance on the prioritization of use of administrative funds from different sources.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 changes TEFAP state plan requirements and the TEFAP food funding formula.

The Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels. 

Three pieces of legislation currently govern the level of food and administrative resources available to TEFAP in FY 2013: the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983; and the Continuing Appropriations Resolution 2013 which provides funding in FY 2013 at a pro rata share of the FY 2012 funding level through March 27, 2013.

The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans outline nutrient-dense foods and beverages, their amounts, and associated costs that can be purchased on three successively higher budgets, each supporting a healthy diet through nutritious meals and snacks at home. The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans are used by various federal and state agencies and the court system.