Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)

Last Updated 05/21/19

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program that works to improve the health of low-income elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods by providing them with monthly food “packages.” CSFP food “packages” are intended to provide good sources of nutrients typically lacking in diets of the beneficiary population. The food “packages” include foods from the following categories: cereal, juice, protein, milk, peanut butter/dry beans, potatoes/grains, cheese, fruit, and vegetables.

The State of Hawaii first received approval to participate in CSFP in March 2015. The most current State Plan was approved on Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2019 (CSFP State Plan 2019). The CSFP State Plan specifies program details, including eligibility requirements:

• Age:  participants must be at least 60 years of age
• Income:  each applicant must provide documentation showing that their household income is at or below 130% of the US Federal Poverty Income Guidelines for the State of Hawaii
• Residency:  applicants must provide documentation showing that they reside in the service area to which they area applying for
• Each participant may receive CSFP benefits at one (1) distribution location

In FFY 2018, Hawaii received $297,952.00 in administrative funds and $863,383.38 in food value.

For FFY 2019, Hawaii’s caseload assignment is 3,801 with an administrative funding of $297,524.00. CSFP services are provided across Hawaii as shown below:

Resources for Further Information

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program Regulations – 7 CFR Part 247
• CSFP Memorandum – 2018 Income Guidelines
• CSFP Program Fact Sheet
• CSFP Food Package Monthly Distribution Rates
• CSFP List of Foods Available – 2018

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider