Government Programs
EverGreen Boxes™, SNAP, Food for Kids, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Government Programs
Food Bank of the Rockies receives resources from the federal government to support community members experiencing hunger, including:
- EverGreen Boxes™ (Commodity Supplemental Food Program)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Food for Kids (Child and Adult Care Food Program [CACFP] and Summer Food Service Program [SFSP])
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
For additional information on the first three programs listed, please click on the links provided above to be redirected to their individual web pages.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) serves income-eligible adult individuals aged 18 and older. The program provides clients with a box of food each month containing such items as frozen or shelf-stable meat, fresh produce, liquid milk, eggs, cheese, canned soup, flours, plant-based oils, shelf-stable or frozen fruits and vegetables, dry beans, and juice.
The USDA awards Food Bank of the Rockies approximately $2 million dollars each year to purchase TEFAP food items. Additionally, Food Bank of the Rockies receives quarterly funds from the USDA to purchase designated surplus TEFAP items.
Eligible clients in Colorado are invited to visit Food Bank of the Rockies’ more than 140 TEFAP-enrolled Hunger Relief Partners to receive food boxes. Eligible clients in Wyoming are invited to visit Food Bank of Wyoming’s 37 TEFAP-enrolled Hunger Relief Partners to receive food boxes.
TEFAP by the Numbers
Nutritious food is available for no cost to Colorado and Wyoming residents aged 18+ who meet the income requirements.
“The food – especially the fresh fruit and vegetables and baby food – helps us so much. My oldest is 16 years old and is always hungry. My mom lives with us, too, and this makes it possible to have full meals together.”
Elvira – Mobile Pantry Client in Rifle, CO
“Getting food from here means that we don’t go hungry, and that other people don’t go hungry. We give what we can’t use to our neighbors who have kids that need it, as well as older adults in our community so that they don’t go hungry.”
Jeanette – Mobile Pantry Client in Denver, CO
FAQs
The types of foods USDA purchases for TEFAP vary depending on the preferences of localities and on agricultural market conditions. Examples of products include: canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables; eggs; meat; poultry; fish; nuts; milk; cheese; and whole-grain and enriched grain products including rice, cereal, and pasta.
Food Bank of the Rockies proudly offers nutritious TEFAP food items at 140+ community-based locations in Colorado and 37 locations in Wyoming
To find food in your area, visit our Find Food locator at https://www.foodbankrockies.org/find-food/
Yes! Clients who qualify for other programs such as EverGreen Boxes™ or SNAP can still receive food items through TEFAP.
In fact, TEFAP households may be eligible for other USDA Food and Nutrition Service programs, including:
TEFAP is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the USDA. USDA foods are delivered to food banks and community partners across the nation for distribution to clients. Congress allots funding for the food items and service.
Yes. Food Bank of the Rockies has a proxy system that allows a client to have someone pick up food on their behalf. Fill out the forms below and have both individuals sign. The form will be active for one year from signing.
In Wyoming, please designate your proxy on the EverGreen Box™ application form.
Please find more information about TEFAP here.
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