Kansas SRS - Food Distribution Programs

There are several food distribution programs in Kansas that provide free food to low income households who qualify. The food is shipped to food banks and helping agencies throughout the state at various times during the year.

SRS breaks Food Distribution Services into five separate programs. They include the following:

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) food provides free food to low income households throughout Kansas. To learn where and when to pick up the food, you may contact the local food bank, helping agency, or the local SRS office. To find the Social and Rehabilitation Office nearest you, click on the Locations tab in the banner at the top of this page or call toll free at 1-888-369-4777.

For further clarification regarding TEFAP see the Kansas Commodity Distribution Manual (KCDM) KCDM Manual online or at a participating organization. For more information or to apply for services:

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) serves persons over the age of 60 with income less than 130% of federal poverty and women, infants and children up to age six with income less than 185% of federal poverty that are not receiving WIC vouchers.

Eligible persons receive a monthly food package which contains 10 food groups; cheese, evaporated milk, nonfat dry milk (every other month), peanut butter or dry beans, cereal, meat, vegetables, fruits, juice, and instant potatoes, rice or pasta.

Started in 1988, the Soup Kitchen Food Bank program (SKFB) is a subprogram of The Emergency Food Assistance Program. The SKFB provides monthly shipment of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities for use in congregate meals for:

To determine if your institution is eligible to receive SKFB food, contact Lori Allen at Lori.Allen@srs.ks.gov or (785) 368-8120.

The Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) also started in 1988. The program is jointly administered by SRS and the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA). NSIP provides United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities to participating projects for use in congregate or home delivered meals to persons over the age of 60. Foods are shipped monthly for a fee that covers storage, shipping and administrative costs. Most of the meals are lunches served during the week.

The eleven Kansas Area Agencies on Aging contract with one or more nutrition project(s) to provide home delivered and/or congregate meals for a specific geographic area. The projects receive their funding from the Older American’s Act of 1965 title III C, state, and local funds. Most choose to receive the option of a percent of their Federal NSIP funding in USDA food commodities in lieu of cash.

The location of NSIP feeding sites throughout Kansas may be obtained from local Area Agencies on Aging or the Kansas Department On Aging. For more information on NSIP cash or policy call KDOA at 800-432-3535 or 296-4986.

For more information about NSIP contact Lori Allen at Lori.Allen@srs.ks.gov or (785) 368-8120.

The Charitable Institution Commodity Program (CICP) provides United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities for congregate meals to eligible nonprofit institutions. In Kansas participation is limited to institutions that can accept and use truck load size shipments of one food item. This includes state institutions, medical centers, and correctional facilities that meet minimal requirements for inmate rehabilitation. CICP was started in July of 1985.

To determine if your institution is eligible to receive CICP food, contact Lori Allen at Lori.Allen@srs.ks.gov or (785) 368-8120.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Ciivl Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800)795-3272 or (202)720-6382 (TTY). This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.