The Commodities Program (TEFAP)
Since 1981, The Commodities Program, also known as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) has been the mainstay of government hunger relief efforts throughout the US. The program provides a variety of nutritious foods – fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, eggs, and dairy – to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. It is the core of emergency food given to hungry Central Texans.
TEFAP is facing a crisis of both food and funds. As more hungry Central Texans are turning to emergency food sources to meet their daily needs, significantly less food is being provided through TEFAP. Rising farm prices have caused a 70% reduction of "bonus" commodity purchases distributed through TEFAP. The uncertainty in the supply of food from federal sources has made it difficult for small and rural Partner Agencies to meet community needs.
