FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum transmits the 2020 Income Guidelines (IGs) for state agencies and ITOs in determining the eligibility of individuals applying to participate in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. 

On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (PL 116-94), which provides $245 million for CSFP for FY 2020. Based on this funding level, FNS is issuing a final national caseload allocation of 736,110 for the 2020 caseload cycle (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020). This amount is equal to the 2019 national caseload allocation. FNS is allocating final caseload and administrative grants as provided in this memo. 

In order to update and streamline policy guidance for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is cancelling Policy Memoranda FD-010, FD-027, FD-028, FD-029, FD-032, FD-053, FD-055, FD-071, FD-073, FD-074, FD-083, FD-086, FD-087, FD-090, FD-105, and FD-115. The guidance provided by these memoranda are either outdated, obsolete, or otherwise captured in more current memoranda.

On Feb. 22, 2019, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced the implementation of significant revisions to the CSFP’s Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates. These revised Distribution Rates were scheduled to go into effect on Nov. 1, 2019. However, due to USDA Food purchasing shortfalls and delivery delays, FNS is delaying the implementation date of the revised Distribution Rates. The revised Distribution Rates will now go into effect on Feb. 1, 2020.

On Dec. 20, 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) (PL 115-334) was signed into law. Section 4102 of the Farm Bill changes CSFP certification requirements outlined in 7 C.F.R. 247.16 effective immediately. As a result, states and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) are required to establish new certification periods of between one and three years for program participants. States and ITOs also have the option to permit their local agencies to issue temporary one-month certifications for applicants on waiting lists, as provided below.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is making significant revisions to the CSFP food package which state agencies are expected to implement on November 1, 2019. FNS is releasing the updated Distribution Rates at this time to allow CSFP state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) sufficient time to consult with local agencies and plan their ordering accordingly to ensure smooth implementation of the enhanced food package.

This memorandum transmits the 2019 Income Guidelines for state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations in determining the eligibility of individuals applying to participate in CSFP. 

This memorandum is meant to provide clarification and guidance on policies and procedures for donated food storage and distribution as they relate to product dating.

This memorandum consolidates and clarifies select disaster/emergency policies and procedures applicable to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify the options available to state distributing agencies or recipient agencies in assigning value to USDA donated foods for audit purposes.