What the Commodity Supplemental Food Program is

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federal food distribution program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It provides monthly boxes of shelf-stable foods to people who meet income limits — mainly seniors aged 60 and older, but also some families with children and people with disabilities. The foods are real groceries: canned vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, pasta, rice, beans, and other staples.

Unlike some food programs, CSFP does not use a card or voucher system. You receive an actual box of food each month, usually from a local agency or food bank. The program operates in about 32 states plus some tribal areas, so availability depends on where you live. If CSFP runs in your state, you contact the local distributing agency directly — there is no single national process.

Key Takeaways

  • CSFP provides a monthly box of groceries to seniors 60 and older, and to some families with children or people with disabilities, based on income limits.
  • The program is run by state and local agencies, not a federal office, so you must contact your state's CSFP office or a local food bank to learn about the program operates near you.
  • Income limits vary by state and household size, but generally fall between 130% and 200% of the federal poverty line.
  • Once you are enrolled, you pick up or receive a box of food each month at a designated distribution site.

Who can receive CSFP food boxes

The main group served by CSFP is people aged 60 and older. This is the largest part of the program in most states. Seniors do not need to be retired or on any particular benefit — just meet the income limit for your household size.

Some states also serve families with children under 18 and people with disabilities under age 60, but this varies widely. A few states run CSFP only for seniors. Others have expanded it. You need to check what your state offers by contacting your state's CSFP office or calling 211 (a referral service that knows local food programs).

Income limits are set by the USDA but vary by state and household size. Generally, your gross monthly income must fall between 130% and 200% of the federal poverty line, depending on your state. For a single person in 2024, this typically means a monthly income below roughly $1,500 to $2,300, though the exact number changes yearly and by state. Contact your local CSFP office to learn the current limit for your household size.

How to find CSFP in your state

CSFP is not available everywhere. The program runs in about 32 states and some tribal areas. Your first step is to find out whether it operates where you live and where to explore.

Call 211 and tell them you are looking for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program in your area. They will give you the phone number and address of the local distributing agency. You can also search online for "[your state] CSFP" or "[your state] commodity food program" — most state departments of agriculture or health and human services run the program and post contact information.

Once you have the local office number, call and ask whether the program is currently open to new participants. Some areas have waiting lists when funding is tight. If there is a wait, ask when the next enrollment period opens and whether you can put your name on a list.

What happens after you contact the local office

When you reach the local CSFP office, they will tell you what documents to bring. Most programs ask for proof of income (recent pay stubs, Social Security statement, or tax return), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and proof of age or disability if that is your basis for participation. Bring a photo ID.

Some offices let you explore over the phone or by mail. Others require you to visit in person. Ask which method your office uses. The process is usually quick — you may be enrolled the same day or within a few days.

Once enrolled, you will be told when and where to pick up your monthly food box. Most programs distribute boxes on a set schedule — for example, the first Tuesday of each month at a specific location. Some programs deliver to homebound seniors. Ask about delivery when you enroll if you have trouble getting to a pickup site.

What foods come in a CSFP box

The USDA sets the contents of CSFP boxes, so they are the same across the country. A typical monthly box includes canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned juice, pasta, rice, beans, peanut butter, cereal, and sometimes canned meat or fish. The exact mix changes month to month, but the foods are all shelf-stable and ready to eat or cook.

The boxes are designed to supplement a household's diet, not replace all groceries. A single person's box might contain 15 to 20 pounds of food. Larger households receive larger boxes. You cannot choose which foods are in the box — you receive what the program distributes that month.

How long you stay enrolled and what happens if circumstances change

Once enrolled, you remain in the program as long as you continue to meet the income limit and pick up your monthly box. Some programs ask you to recertify your income once a year. Others recertify every two or three years. The local office will tell you when recertification is due.

If your income rises above the limit, you will be removed from the program. If you move out of the service area, you will need to enroll with a different local office if CSFP operates where you move. If you cannot pick up your box for a month or two, tell the office — they may hold your spot or ask you to re-enroll later.

Other food programs if CSFP is not available in your area

If CSFP does not run where you live, or if there is a waiting list, other programs may help. SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition information Program, formerly food stamps) is available in all states and uses a debit card to buy food at grocery stores. Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives seniors vouchers to buy fresh produce at farmers markets. The Emergency Food information Program (TEFAP) distributes food through food banks and is available nationwide.

Call 211 or your state's department of health and human services to learn which programs operate near you and how to reach them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be on Social Security or another benefit to get CSFP?

No. You only need to meet the income limit for your household size. You do not have to be retired, on disability, or receiving any other benefit. If your income is low enough, you can participate.

Can I get CSFP if I live in a nursing home or assisted living facility?

Most programs do not serve people in institutions. CSFP is designed for people living in their own homes or with family. If you live in a facility, ask the local office — a few programs have exceptions, but most will say you are not may be able to access.

What if I cannot pick up my box every month?

Tell the local office. Some programs allow you to skip a month or two without losing your spot. Others require you to pick up every month to stay enrolled. Policies vary, so ask when you enroll what happens if you miss a pickup.

Can I choose which foods go in my box?

No. The USDA sets the contents, and you receive the same box as everyone else in your area that month. You cannot swap items or request different foods.

What if my income goes up after I enroll?

You will be removed from the program when your income exceeds the limit. Most offices recertify income once a year, so you will have a chance to report changes. If your income drops again, you can re-enroll.