The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is administered at the federal level by the Food Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program is authorized under Section 4 (a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973. Federal regulations covering CSFP may be found in 7CFR, Parts 247 and 250.
USDA purchases food and makes it available to CSFP state agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs), along with funds for administrative costs. State agencies order the food through USDA and distribute it to public and non-profit private local agencies.
Local agencies determine the eligibility of applicants, distribute the food and provide nutritional education. Local agencies also provide referrals to other welfare, nutrition, and health care programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare.
The CSFP in Arkansas works to improve the health of low-income participants people who are sixty (60) years of age or older by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
CSFP food packages do not provide a complete diet, but rather are a good source of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of the target population.
Income Guidelines
The income criteria used to determine CSFP eligibility for the participants is 150% of the
Federal Poverty Income Level. The Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are published annually
by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Income eligibility guidelines can be found below.