Food Bank & Hunger Relief Grants 2026: USDA and Federal Food Security Funding

TEFAP: The Emergency Food Assistance Program

TEFAP (CFDA: 10.569) is the primary federal program supporting food banks and emergency food providers. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) purchases USDA commodities and distributes them to states based on the number of unemployed and below-poverty persons. States then allocate food and administrative funds to food banks (typically Feeding America member food banks), which distribute to local pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

How the Distribution Chain Works

• USDA FNS → purchases commodities (canned goods, proteins, dairy, produce) and sends to states
• State agency (usually state department of agriculture) → distributes to food banks
• Food banks (Feeding America network, regional food banks) → distribute to local eligible agencies
• Local pantries, soup kitchens, shelters → provide food directly to households

To become a TEFAP-eligible agency: contact your regional food bank (find at feedingamerica.org) and apply to become a partner agency. Requirements include 501(c)(3) status, adequate storage, and serving eligible low-income individuals.

USDA Community Facilities Grants for Food Infrastructure

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities grant program (CFDA: 10.766) can fund physical infrastructure for food banks and food distribution organizations in rural areas. Eligible uses:

• Construction or renovation of food bank warehouse or distribution facility
• Commercial refrigeration and freezer units for fresh/frozen food storage
• Food rescue vehicles for gleaning and transportation
• Cold chain infrastructure for produce distribution

Grant amounts: up to $500K (grant); additional funding available as loans. Eligibility: nonprofits, public bodies, and federally recognized tribes in rural areas (population under 20,000 for highest priority). Apply through USDA Rural Development state offices.

CSFP: Commodity Supplemental Food Program

CSFP (CFDA: 10.565) provides monthly food packages to low-income seniors aged 60 and older — $320M annually in USDA commodity foods. Food banks and state agencies operate CSFP distribution sites. To establish a new CSFP site or expand an existing one: contact your state's administering agency (typically the state department of agriculture or health) — funding is allocated to states and distributed to local operators.

SNAP-Ed: Nutrition Education Funding

SNAP Education (SNAP-Ed, CFDA: 10.561) funds nutrition education and obesity prevention activities for SNAP-eligible populations. States receive SNAP-Ed allocations and issue competitive contracts/grants to eligible organizations. Food banks that provide nutrition education alongside food distribution are strong SNAP-Ed candidates. Annual funding nationally: ~$500M. Typical sub-award: $100K–$2M for state-level or regional programs. Apply to your state's SNAP agency.

HHS Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

CSBG (CFDA: 93.569) funds Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — the 1,000+ anti-poverty nonprofits operating in every state. Many CAAs operate food pantries as part of their emergency services, and CSBG funds can support those operations. To access CSBG funding: contact your local Community Action Agency (find at communityactionpartnership.com) and ask about partnership or sub-contract opportunities for food security programming.