The Commodity Supplement Food Program (CSFP) is a USDA foods program being administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture through contracted feeding agencies. CSFP’s purpose is to help improve the health of low-income elderly persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. The food packages are made up of self- stable goods and some refrigerated product intended to supplement a senior’s nutritional needs for a month.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for the program, a senior citizen must meet all three requirements:

  • At least 60 years or older
  • Must live in one of the six identified counties
  • Income at or below 130% of the Federal poverty line (based off of household size)

The program allows for one person in every household. For example, two people who live together and share finances cannot be on the program. Separately they would be considered one person in a household of two.

Registration:
For a senior citizen to register for the program, they must attend a scheduled sign-up session and provide a form of state identification that validates their residence and age.

Distribution and Contents:

We currently serve 950 seniors each month through the CSFP program. Seniors who are deemed eligible will receive food packages once a month. They also will receive letters via the US Postal Service, phone calls or text messages from Second Harvest staff informing them of when and where to pick up the month’s food package. Each monthly package is roughly 40 pounds and may include:

  • Cereals
  • Bottled juices
  • Canned meats
  • Canned Fruits
  • Canned vegetables
  • Shelf stable and instant dry milk
  • Peanut butter
  • Dried beans
  • Pasta
  • Rice
  • Cheese

For additional information about the CSFP Program and to request an application, contact:

Melissa Hill, CSFP Program Coordinator
melissa@fightinghunger.org
850-562-3033 (ext. 212)

Second Harvest of the Big Bend has been contracted by the Florida Department of Agriculture to provide CSFP to a designated number of senior citizens residing in the following north Florida counties:

  • Calhoun
    Innovative Charities, Clarksville, FL
    Distributed every Thursday from 9-11 AM; 1st and 2nd Thursdays for active clients; 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursdays for wait list clients
  • Liberty
    Liberty County Seniors Citizens, Bristol, FL
    Distributed Wednesday on second full week of the month; 8-11:30 AM for active clients and 1-4:30 PM for wait list clients
  • Madison
    Faith Baptist Church, Madison, FL
    Distributed 2nd Friday monthly; 10-11 AM for active clients; 11 AM -12 PM for wait list clients
    Greenville United Methodist Church, Greenville, FL
    Distributed 1st Wednesday monthly; 9-10 AM for active clients; 10-11 AM for wait list clients
  • Hamilton
    New Bethel AME, Jasper, FL
    Distributed 1st Wednesday monthly; 8 AM-12 PM for all clients

While our partner food bank, Bread of the Mighty, assists us in providing CSFP in:

  • Dixie
  • Lafayette