Kamil Perry
Government cheese is provided as part of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to offer food assistance to low-income households, including seniors. The CSFP works to improve the health of income-eligible persons aged 60 or older by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA foods. The USDA purchases a variety of foods, including cheese, to provide nutrition assistance to eligible individuals. This cheese can be obtained for free from food pantries and local food banks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for free government cheese? | Low-income households, including seniors over 60 years of age who meet income eligibility requirements. |
| Where to get free government cheese? | Food pantries, local food banks, local agencies (as part of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program) |
| Official websites | Websites ending with .<co: 0,1,10>gov belong to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS and have a lock symbol or https:// in the address bar. |
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What You'll Learn
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition program that provides monthly food assistance to low-income seniors. It is one of fifteen federally-funded nutrition assistance programs of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), a USDA agency.
CSFP provides healthy foods to seniors through monthly senior food boxes. These food packages are designed to supplement nutrients typically lacking in participants' diets, helping seniors avoid costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements. The program is available in every state, the District of Columbia, and the Red Lake and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations.
To be eligible for CSFP, individuals must be at least 60 years old and have an income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. The program is funded by the USDA, which provides commodities and administrative funds to states for the storage, transportation, and distribution of food packages to local agencies. The funding is currently set at $74.53 per participant slot every year, and the program serves as many eligible participants as funding allows.
Prior to February 6, 2014, CSFP also served low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women and children up to the age of six. However, after the Agricultural Act of 2014, the program stopped serving women and children and now exclusively serves seniors.
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Food assistance for seniors
Food costs are soaring, and older adults are feeling the pinch. There are several food assistance programs available to help seniors with limited incomes access nutritious food.
One such program is the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). SFMNP provides low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs through farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agricultural programs. State participation in SFMNP is voluntary, so it's important to check if there is a program in your area.
Another program is the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which aims to improve the health of low-income individuals aged 60 and above by providing them with nutritious USDA foods. To be eligible for CSFP, individuals must reside in a participating state or Indian reservation and meet the income eligibility requirements.
The Senior Food Box program is another option that fills the gaps left by other food assistance programs. This means that individuals can participate even if they already receive SNAP benefits. The program is funded by the Farm Bill and administered in partnership with individual states. Meals on Wheels is one of the grantees of this federal program, providing funding for community-based organizations to plan, prepare, and distribute free or low-cost meals.
Additionally, during specific weeks like Boost Your Budget® Week, organizations like NCOA aim to empower seniors with strategies to help them deal with soaring food prices. These strategies include reducing certain expenses, such as cable plans, insurance premiums, and cell phone services, as well as taking advantage of senior discount programs and age-based discounts offered by many businesses.
While the above programs do not specifically mention cheese, some sources indicate that cheese may be included as part of the USDA Foods provided through the CSFP program. Additionally, free cheese may be available at food pantries and food banks, although this may vary depending on the location and available stock.
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Food banks and pantries
If you are looking for free government cheese, you can try contacting your local food bank or pantry to see if they have any available. They may be able to provide you with cheese directly or refer you to other resources where you can obtain it.
It's important to note that government cheese is a commodity cheese that was controlled by the US federal government, particularly from World War II to the early 1980s. It was often a byproduct of maintaining an artificially high price of milk through dairy industry subsidies, which created a surplus that was converted into cheese, butter, and powdered milk. This cheese was also used in military kitchens during World War II and has been used in schools since the 1950s.
Overall, food banks and pantries are a great resource for accessing free government cheese, and they play a vital role in ensuring that high-protein food reaches those who need it most.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income families. The aim is to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food essential to health and well-being. Nearly 62% of SNAP participants are families with children, and about 37% are households with older adults or people with disabilities.
SNAP is the most responsive federal program in providing additional assistance during and after economic downturns, second only to unemployment insurance. The federal government pays the full cost of SNAP benefits and shares the cost of administering the program with the states, which operate it. SNAP is available across the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. However, it is not available in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
To be eligible for SNAP, households must meet specific criteria, including income and resource limits. Eligibility is generally limited to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens. Non-citizens must have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, be receiving disability-related assistance, or be children under 18. Households where all members receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be deemed "categorically eligible" for SNAP. Most states have adopted Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), allowing them to align income and resource limits with their TANF-funded programs. Even with BBCE, households must meet non-financial eligibility rules and have sufficiently low incomes to qualify for SNAP benefits.
Once deemed eligible, households receive an EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card, which is loaded with benefits monthly. This card can be used to purchase food from over 261,000 authorized retailers. SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, vitamin supplements, non-food grocery items, or hot foods. On average, SNAP participants receive about $187 per month, or $6.16 per day, per person. The SNAP benefit formula ensures that households with the lowest incomes receive larger benefits.
SNAP is more than just a source of food assistance; it also offers a pathway to long-term success. The SNAP Office of Employment & Training has launched a national campaign, "More than a Job," to raise awareness about SNAP E&T services and encourage eligible participants to enroll.
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Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a US service that improves the health and nutrition of parents and their children during pregnancy and early childhood. Studies show that prenatal individuals who are enrolled in the WIC program are more likely to have babies with a healthy birth weight, and children in the program are more likely to do better in school.
The WIC program provides nutritious foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, and referrals to other helpful services. Eligible participants include pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to the age of five. To be eligible, participants must meet income requirements and other qualifying factors.
Through the WIC program, participants can obtain everyday groceries like fresh fruits and vegetables, baby food, milk, eggs, beans, cheese, and more. Participants can also receive personalized tips on healthy eating and meal planning from nutritionists, dietitians, and other skilled staff. The program also provides help with finding and connecting to medical, dental, and mental health care, along with other community-based services.
WIC state and local agencies are home to staff who are skilled and caring and understand the challenges of raising a healthy family. Trained experts and peer counsellors with breastfeeding experience are available for help and support, and breast pumps are available for parents who need them. Special foods are also available to meet the needs of breastfeeding parents.
Participants can check their eligibility and benefit balance online via the WIC Connect portal or by calling the customer service line. To apply for the WIC program, participants can contact their local WIC office or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline to find a WIC office near them.
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Frequently asked questions
Eligibility for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) depends on age, income, and location. Participants must reside in one of the states or on one of the Indian reservations that participate in CSFP. The program is intended for low-income individuals over 60 years of age, as well as women, infants, and children.
Free government cheese can be obtained from local agencies and food banks or pantries that are part of the CSFP.
The CSFP provides a monthly package of healthy food, including fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs.
Yes, older adults may also be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food stamps. Additionally, those with insurance through Medicare Advantage (Part C) may be eligible for a Medicare flex card, which acts as a food allowance card.
