Eligibility of Youth Shelters for TEFAP Commodities

This memorandum is intended to clarify the eligibility of youth shelters for commodities provided under TEFAP. Most youth shelters are eligible to receive TEFAP commodities as charitable institutions serving primarily needy people. For example, many youth shelters house children awaiting placement in foster homes, or children detained while awaiting trial for alleged crimes.

However, some youth shelters serve as detention centers for youth serving sentences for criminal offenses. These organizations are not eligible to receive TEFAP commodities, since Section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (PL 98-8) specifically excludes penal institutions as eligible recipient agencies for these commodities. If the state administering agency distributes TEFAP commodities to a food bank that then provides the foods to other organizations for household distribution or meal provision, the state must ensure that the food bank does not distribute the commodities to youth shelters housing youth serving sentences for criminal offenses.

SUZANNE RIGBY
Acting Director
Food Distribution Division