Commodity Supplemental Food Program

More food for more hungry people

A program of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada The Commodity Supplemental Food Program works to improve the health of certain low-income citizens, as described below.

New program for Nevada

Since the federal USDA supplemental commodity foods program was approved by Congress as a pilot program in Nevada in July 2003, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada's CSFP staff has handled, packed and distributed 27,332 boxes, approximately 1,038,616 pounds, in Washoe County, Churchill County, Carson City, Fernley, Lockwood, Schurz, Hawthorne, Yerington, Virginia City and Silver Springs.

Who is eligible:

• Adults age 60 or older
• Pregnant women
• Mothers up to one year after giving birth
• Breastfeeding mothers
• Infants and children up to age 6
• WIC participants are not eligible
• Income guidelines apply

What is in the food packages?

Each package contains about 30 pounds of canned meat, vegetables, fruits, cereal, cheese, pasta or rice or potatoes, evaporated and dry milk, dry beans or peanut butter. Infants will receive formula and/or juice dependent on age.

How do participants enroll?

The Food Bank will certify eligible participants at senior centers, senior housing units, family resource centers and other sites. Applicants must bring proof of residency, birth certificates for children, and other documents.

Senior citizens qualify if they have income that is 130% of federal poverty guidelines. Women, infants and children qualify with incomes 185 % of federal poverty guidelines or lower. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and mothers of babies up to 1 year old are eligible. Infants and children are eligible up to age 6 if they are not receiving WIC benefits.

Click here to see an information brochure in English and Spanish with specific income qualifications.

How often does distribution occur?

Boxes are delivered monthly to senior centers and housing units, family resource centers and other sites. Certified participants receive a letter of confirmation and notice of where they can receive their food.

Eligible persons can apply and receive food in their community when the CSFP truck is delivering food. See schedule.

How can I help?

There are many volunteer opportunities in the CSFP program, from packing boxes to helping with deliveries. Click here for the Volunteers page.

For more information:

Call the CSFP office: 359-1888 or toll free (877) 302-3663.

If you don't qualify but need food:

Other commodity foods are distributed in the Reno-Sparks area to low-income senior citizens at the Washoe County Senior Center (328-2575) and to low-income persons of any age at St. Vincent's Food Pantry in Reno (786-5266).

Commodity foods are available throughout Nevada. For more information about the distribution schedule, contact the State of Nevada Department of Administration Purchasing Division, 688-2828 in Reno or visit http://purchasing.state.nv.us/com_food/com_10.htm.

Food pantries supplied by the Food Bank may also be able to help. See a list on the Need Help? Page.

For more information, call 359-1888 or toll free (877) 302-3663.

Click HERE to see a CSFP brochure in English.
Click HERE to see a CSFP brochure in Spanish.