2023-06615. The Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Foods for Fiscal Year 2023

AGENCY:

Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces the surplus and purchased foods that the Department expects to make available for donation to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to the needy under The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The foods made available under this notice must, at the discretion of the State, be distributed to eligible recipient agencies (ERAs) for use in preparing meals and/or for distribution to households for home consumption.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ruth Decosse, Policy Branch, Food Distribution Division, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, [e-mail] or telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with the provisions set forth in the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (EFAA), 7 U.S.C. 7501, et seq., and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2036, the Department makes foods available to States for use in providing nutrition assistance to those in need through TEFAP. In accordance with section 214 of the EFAA, 7 U.S.C. 7515, funding for TEFAP foods is allocated among States according to a formula that accounts for poverty and unemployment levels within each State. Section 214(a)(1) of the Act requires that 60 percent of each State's allocation be based on the number of people with incomes below the poverty level within the State; and section 214(a)(2) requires that the remaining 40 percent be equal to the percentage of the nation's unemployed persons within the State. State officials are responsible for establishing the network through which the foods will be used by ERAs in providing nutrition assistance to those in need and for allocating foods among those ERAs. States have full discretion in determining the amount of foods that will be made available to ERAs for use in preparing meals and/or for distribution to households for home consumption.

Surplus Foods

Surplus foods donated for distribution under TEFAP are Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) foods purchased under the authority of section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, 7 U.S.C. 1431 (section 416) and foods purchased under the surplus removal authority of section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, 7 U.S.C. 612c (section 32). The types of foods typically purchased under section 416 include dairy, grains, oils, and peanut products. The types of foods purchased under section 32 include meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, dry beans, juices, and fruits.

Approximately $233.1 million in surplus foods acquired in FY 2022 are being delivered to States in FY 2023. Surplus foods currently scheduled for delivery include almonds, beans, bison, cherries, chicken, dates, fish, grapes, shrimp, peaches, pistachios, nectarines, raisins, sweet potatoes, and walnuts. Other surplus foods may be made available to TEFAP throughout the year. The Department would like to point out that food acquisitions are based on changing agricultural market conditions; therefore, the availability of foods is subject to change.

Purchased Foods

In accordance with section 27 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2036, the Secretary is directed to purchase an estimated $445.5 million worth of foods in FY 2023 for distribution through TEFAP. In addition, States will receive up to $943 million in supplemental foods and operational expenses provided under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation. These foods are made available to States in addition to those surplus foods which otherwise might be provided to States for distribution under TEFAP.

For FY 2023, the Department anticipates purchasing the foods listed in the following table for distribution through TEFAP. The amounts of each item purchased will depend on the prices the Department must pay, as well as the quantity of each item requested by the States. Changes in agricultural market conditions may result in the availability of additional types of foods or the non-availability of one or more foods listed in the table.

FRUITS:

Apples, Braeburn, Fresh

Apples, Empire, Fresh

Apples, Fuji, Fresh

Apples, Gala, Fresh

Apples, Granny Smith, Fresh

Apples, Red Delicious, Fresh

Apples, Fresh

Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened

Apple Slices, Unsweetened, Frozen (IQF)

Applesauce, Unsweetened, Canned (K)

Applesauce, Unsweetened, Cups, Shelf-Stable

Apricots, Halves, Extra Light Syrup, Canned

Blueberries, Highbush, Frozen

Cherry Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened

Cranberry Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened

Cranberries, Dried, Individual Portion

Grape Juice, Concord, 100%, Unsweetened

Grapefruit Juice, 100%, Unsweetened

Fruit and Nut Mix, Dried

Mixed Fruit, Extra Light Syrup, Canned

Oranges, Fresh

Orange Juice, 100%, Unsweetened

Peaches, Freestone, Slices, Frozen

Peaches, Sliced, Extra Light Syrup, Canned

Pears, Bartlett, Fresh

Pears, Bosc, Fresh

Pears, D'Anjou, Fresh

Pears, Fresh

Pears, Extra Light Syrup, Canned (K)

Plums, Pitted, Dried

Raisins, Unsweetened, Individual Portion

Raisins, Unsweetened

DAIRY:

Cheese, American, Reduced Fat, Loaves, Refrigerated

Cheese, Cheddar, Yellow, Shredded, Refrigerated

Milk, 1%, Shelf-Stable UHT

Milk, 1%, Individual Portion, Shelf-Stable UHT

Milk 1% Fresh

Milk, Skim, Fresh

VEGETABLES:

Beans, Green, Low-sodium, Canned (K)

Beans, Green, No Salt Added, Frozen

Carrots, Diced, No Salt Added, Frozen

Carrots, Sliced, Low-sodium, Canned

Corn, Whole Kernel, No Salt Added, Canned (K)

Corn, Cream Style, Low sodium, Canned

Mixed Vegetables, 7-Way Blend, Low-sodium, Canned

Corn, Whole Kernel, No Salt Added, Frozen

Mixed Produce Box, Fresh

Peas, Green, Low-sodium, Canned

Peas, Green, No Salt Added, Frozen

Potatoes, Dehydrated Flakes

Potatoes, Round, Fresh

Potatoes, Russet, Fresh

Potatoes, Sliced, Low-sodium, Canned

Pumpkin, No Salt Added, Canned

Spaghetti Sauce, Low-sodium, Canned

Spinach, Low-sodium, Canned

Sweet Potatoes, Fresh

Tomato Juice, 100%, Low-sodium

Tomato Sauce, Low-sodium, Canned

Tomato Sauce, Low-sodium, Canned (K) (H)

Tomato Soup, Condensed, Low-sodium, Canned

Tomatoes, Diced, No Salt Added, Canned

Vegetable Soup, Condensed, Low-Sodium, Canned

LEGUMES:

Beans, Black, Low-sodium, Canned

Beans, Black-eyed Pea, Low-sodium, Canned

Beans, Black-eyed Pea, Dry

Beans, Garbanzo, Canned (K)

Beans, Great Northern, Dry

Beans, Kidney, Light Red, Low-sodium, Canned

Beans, Kidney, Light Red, Dry

Beans, Lima, Baby, Dry

Beans, Pinto, Low-sodium, Canned

Beans, Pinto, Dry

Beans, Refried, Low-sodium, Canned

Beans, Vegetarian, Low-sodium, Canned

Lentils, Dry

Peas, Green Split, Dry

PROTEIN FOODS:

Alaska Pollock Fish, Whole Grain Breaded Sticks, Frozen

Alaska Pollock Fish, Fillets, Frozen

Beef, Canned/Pouch

Beef, Fine Ground, 85% Lean/15% Fat, Frozen

Beef, Fine Ground, 85% Lean/15% Fat, Frozen, LFTB

OPT, Frozen

Beef Stew, Canned/Pouch

Catfish, Fillets, Frozen

Chicken, Canned

Chicken, Pouch

Chicken, Split Breast, Frozen

Chicken, Whole, Frozen

Eggs, Fresh

Egg Mix, Dried

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Peanut Butter, Smooth (K)

Peanut Butter, Smooth, Individual Portion

Peanuts, Roasted, Unsalted

Pork, Canned/Pouch

Pork, Ham, Frozen

Pork, Chops, Boneless, Frozen

Salmon, Pink, Canned

Salmon, Pink, Canned (K)

GRAINS:

Bakery Mix, Lowfat

Cereal, Wheat Farina, Enriched

Crackers, Unsalted

Flour, All Purpose, Enriched, Bleached

Flour, White Whole Wheat (WG)

Grits, Corn, White

Grits, Corn, Yellow

Oats, Rolled, Quick Cooking (WG)

Pasta, Egg Noodles

Pasta, Macaroni, Enriched

Pasta, Macaroni, (WG)

Pasta, Macaroni and Cheese

Pasta, Rotini, (WG)

Pasta, Spaghetti, Enriched

Pasta, Spaghetti, (WG)

Rice, Brown, Long-Grain, Parboiled (WG)

Rice, Medium Grain

Rice, Long Grain

Tortillas, Whole Grain, Frozen (WG)

OILS:

Oil, Vegetable

OTHER:

Soup, Cream of Chicken, Condensed, Reduced Sodium

Soup, Cream of Mushroom, Condensed, Reduced Sodium

KEY:

H—Halal Certification Required.

K—Kosher Certification Required.

IQF—Individually Quick Frozen.

UHT—Ultra-High Temperature Pasteurization.

LFTB OTP—Lean Finely Textured Beef Optional.

WG—Whole Grain.

Cynthia Long,

Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.