FNS Documents & Resources

Healthy Eating Index scores range from 0 to 100 and are a measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of foods aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A higher score is ideal. The FDPIR Food Package scores an 84. This is higher than the average U.S. diet, which scores a 59.

Answers to some of the frequently asked questions about how TEFAP can support cultural and religious practices around food, particularly those serving kosher and halal observant communities.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will discontinue the requirement for vendors to use high security seals to secure USDA Foods deliveries as of July 1, 2023. 

This notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on the planned information collection. It is a revision of a currently approved collection associated with requests by state agencies to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to temporarily provide food assistance to households following a disaster.

We discuss information and resources provided in the revised USDA Foods in Disaster Manual, June 2021 to help you be prepared for the use of USDA Foods in disasters, emergencies and situations of distress

This manual contains important information for persons in FNS headquarters, FNS regional offices, and distributing agencies, which include state distributing agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations that are charged with the responsibility of providing USDA Foods to disaster relief organizations in the event of a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress.

FNS plays a vital role in providing supplemental nutrition assistance when disasters occur by coordinating with state, local, and voluntary organizations to: (1) provide food for shelters and other mass feeding sites, (2) distribute food packages directly to households in specific situations, (3) offer flexibility in nutrition assistance programs’ design and administration to continue providing benefits to participants in need, and (4) approve eligible states’ requests to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

This webinar is intended for state distributing agencies and FNS regional office staff and highlights how USDA Foods may be used in congregate feeding or disaster household distribution during a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress response. We discuss the importance of planning, preparation and communication before, during and after a disaster response.

During an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 public health emergency, there are flexibilities available to Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer FDPIR to assist them in continuing to provide food to people in need. FDPIR is available to assist current participants and those who may become newly eligible for the program.