Food Banks in the United States: Systems, USDA Programs, and Participation

Charitable food assistance networks collectively distribute billions of dollars’ worth of food assistance to U.S. residents every year. This report explores charitable food assistance systems, explains how USDA programs fit into those systems, and reports trends in participation among households that benefit from those systems. A special focus is placed on food banks within the charitable food assistance system, as they are key components that collect, store, and distribute large quantities of food. Food banks and beneficiary-facing pantries are shaped by government policies and programs, including Federal assistance programs operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA purchases and distributes domestically produced foods known as “USDA Foods” through food banks and their affiliates via the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). A wide range of findings are reported, including information on food bank sourcing, statistics for relevant USDA programs, and trends in participation. Notable findings include the amount of food that comes from USDA Foods, which has accounted for as much as 39 percent of food bank supplies, and the range in food pantry participation by State, from 2.6 percent in New Hampshire to 8.2 percent in New Mexico in recent years.