There are a variety of government food assistance programs that provide food to people facing hunger in the United States. Our Government Affairs team works to educate legislators on the need to protect and expand these vital programs to ensure that no one in our community and beyond goes to bed without knowing how they will get their next meal. Use the links below to learn more about each program, including eligibility and how to apply, if applicable.
| Acronym | Full Name | Brief Description | Nutrition | Kids | Seniors | Food Banks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Provides timely, targeted, and temporary benefits to low-income Americans to buy groceries. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | |
| The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Provides USDA commodities to families in need of short-term hunger relief through emergency food providers like food banks. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Commodity Supplemental Food Program | Provides food assistance for low-income seniors with a monthly package of healthy USDA commodities. | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | |
| The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Provides nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in designated child and adult care centers. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | |
| The National School Lunch Program | Provides nutritionally balanced lunch to qualified children each school day. | ✓ | ✓ | | | |
| The School Breakfast Program | Provides nutritionally balanced breakfast to qualified children each school day. | ✓ | ✓ | | | |
| The Summer Food Service Program | Provides free meals and snacks to low-income children during the summer months. | ✓ | ✓ | | | |
| Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children | Provides nutritious foods and nutrition education for low-income, at risk women, infants. | ✓ | ✓ | | |
For all other FNS nutrition assistance programs, state, or local agencies, and their subrecipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement.
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement (NDS)
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
CSFP/April2026
Hunger-Free Pennsylvania (HFPA), in partnership with its network of 18 food banks serving all 67 counties, represents one of the largest charitable food distribution networks in Pennsylvania. HFPA collaborates with state and federal governments and other nonprofit organizations to ensure food security for all Pennsylvanians. Learn more about HFPA online at www.hungerfreepa.org or visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HungerFreePA.