Which federal program ensures emergency food assistance at no cost to recipients?

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is designed to provide individuals and families in need with emergency food assistance at no cost. This program operates through partnerships with state agencies, local food banks, and community organizations to distribute food directly to those experiencing food insecurity. TEFAP focuses on addressing immediate food needs and is particularly vital during times of economic crisis or natural disasters, ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to necessary nutrition without any financial burden.

In contrast, the other programs serve different purposes. For instance, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides meals and snacks to children and adult participants in day care settings but is not focused solely on emergency food assistance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers benefits to purchase food but requires recipients to apply for and maintain eligibility based on income. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) targets specific low-income groups, providing them with a monthly food package but does not function as an emergency assistance program in the same way that TEFAP does.