CSFP is a Federal program administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide food for qualifying seniors.  The program provides a monthly package of food designed to supplement the nutritional needs of low-income senior citizens.

Who we serve

Facing Hunger Foodbank has received a 2500 case load for identified residents in Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Kanawha Counties of WV and a 463 case load for those in Boyd, Martin, Greenup, Lawrence KY

At least 60 years of age

Meet income guidelines (at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Income guidelines) based on gross income

Must be resident of distributing county

Spouses – each fills out their own application and each gets one box (if both are over 60)

Commodities of CSFP For Seniors

• 2 boxes Cereal
• 2 jars of juice
• 2 cartons of UHT milk
• 1 pkg. dry milk (every other month)
• 1 box of cheese
• 1 24 oz. can of meat (2 cans or pouches if less than 24 oz.)
• 1 bag of beans OR 1 jar of peanut butter
• 1 bag of rice OR 2 lbs. of pasta (1 box of spaghetti OR 2 bags of macaroni)
• 4 cans of vegetables
• 2 cans of fruit

Mission of CSFP

CSFP food packages are designed to provide protein, calcium, iron, and Vitamins A and C.  CSFP helps assist in providing proper nutrition for seniors and promotes health, treats chronic diseases, decreases length of hospital stays and saves health care dollars.  Hunger increases a seniors risk of stroke, exacerbates pre-existing ill health conditions, limits the efficacy of many prescription drugs and may affect brain chemistry increasing the incidence of depression and isolation (the National Council on Aging, 2005).  CSFP is currently in 47 states plus the District of Columbia.

History of CSFP

In the late seventies, a study commissioned by the Detroit-Wayne County Agency of Aging was conducted, inquiring into the prevalence if malnutrition among senior citizens in the area.  The findings of the study were that roughly 52,000 senior citizens in Wayne County, Michigan were nutritionally deprived.  Following the study, Focus: HOPE proposed a one-year pilot program, to include 1,500 seniors in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.  In 1981, Congress passed the Agriculture and Food Act, Public Law 97-98, approving the participation of a limited number of eligible senior citizens in the CSFP in pilot programs in Detroit and Polk County, Iowa.  The Farm Bill, signed into law by President Reagan in 1985, made the “Food for Seniors” program a permanent part of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.