Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Address: Local TEFAP food pantry
Office / Calling Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (ET)
📧 n/a
☏ Atlanta Community Food Bank: 404-892-9822; National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479), Spanish: 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273)
@ dfcs.georgia.gov/services/food-commodity-programs/emergency-food-assistance-program
Who Qualifies
Households with income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (or meeting other eligibility set by the local food bank/pantry).
Many local pantries have very low barriers and may distribute TEFAP food with little or no paperwork.
Application Process
TEFAP is accessed in-person only. There is no central online application.
Call 211 or the Atlanta Community Food Bank at 404-892-9822 and ask for pantries near you that distribute TEFAP food.
Go in person to a participating local food pantry or soup kitchen.
At the pantry, you may be asked to show photo ID and/or proof of income (requirements vary — some pantries require it, many do not).
Once you visit, you can usually receive food on a regular schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).
Description
TEFAP is a federal USDA program that provides free emergency food (USDA commodities such as canned goods, cereal, rice, beans, peanut butter, cheese, and sometimes fresh produce) to low-income individuals and families. The main distribution center for metro Atlanta is operated by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and the food is then distributed through hundreds of local food pantries and soup kitchens across Georgia.