USDA Groceries

Loaves & Fishes offers food provided by the US Department of Agriculture's The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program that supplements the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. TEFAP allows people whose household income is 150% or less of the USDA’s federal poverty level (for example, $31,170/year for a family of three, or $18,210/year for a single household) to pick up food once per month.

If an entire household receives Food Stamps (SNAP) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or a one-person household receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid, then they are automatically eligible to receive USDA food at Loaves & Fishes

The types of foods USDA purchases for TEFAP vary depending on the preferences of states and on agricultural market conditions. Nearly 90 nutritious, high-quality products may be available, including canned and fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh and dried eggs, meat, poultry, fish, milk and cheese, pasta products, and cereal.

Loaves & Fishes also participates in the USDA's Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) that provides an additional 30-pound box of food designed to help low-income people age 60 or older. Each box includes canned vegetables, canned fruit, a protein (beef stew or chicken), peanut butter, hot cereal, juice, pasta or rice, cereal, milk, and a two pound block of cheese. Seniors who provide proof of age and income may pick up this extra box of food whenever they come to Loaves & Fishes to get food.

During the pandemic, USDA food is given up to twice a month for each qualifying household. Loaves & Fishes does not share any information regarding our clients with anyone other than what we are required to report annually to the USDA.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

"Pantry" Groceries

Loaves & Fishes picks up groceries using our 24' box truck five days per week from Wegmans, Costco, Giant, and Kroger at Rio Hill Shopping Center, three times per week from Food Lion on Pantops, and twice per week from Sam's Club and Kroger at Barracks Road. What they give us varies from day to day, but Pantry foods typically include a large variety of fresh produce, bread, and pastries, frozen meats, and shelf stable foods such as cereal and crackers, soup, and canned vegetables.

If someone seeking food assistance earns more monthly than the USDA's guidelines for income (150% or less than federal poverty guidelines), Loaves & Fishes will always let them take from our donated Pantry foods.  “Pantry Only” clients can visit L&F twice per calendar month.