Feeding America Applauds USDA Announcement Of TEFAP Bonus Purchases

CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America commends the USDA for their announced plans to purchase $50 million of chicken parts and $15 million in cultivated blueberries.

According to the USDA, the commodities purchased are expected to be directed to federal nutrition assistance programs, including those that serve food banks.

Those programs include the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a federal program that helps food banks provide nutritious food to low-income Americans in need of hunger relief.

Approximately 85 percent of the food that moves through the TEFAP program is distributed by Feeding America network members. TEFAP foods comprised 17 percent of the 3.5 billion pounds of food Feeding America distributed in FY 2013.

"Feeding America food banks are struggling to meet ongoing record levels of need throughout our nation. This substantial purchase of much-needed protein and produce is greatly needed," said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America. "Our food banks are working hard to meet the demand for food in the communities they serve. We want to stress how very important it is that Congress and the USDA work together to provide adequate amounts of food and funds for the purchase and distribution of federal commodities."

About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

Contact:
Ross Fraser
312.641.6422

SOURCE Feeding America