The Commodity Senior Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income persons who are at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with a monthly package of nutritious food at no cost. CSFP foods are purchased by the state from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) division.
The Commodity Senior Food Program is also known as the “Commodity Supplemental Food Program” and “Food Plus”.
Food Packages
CSFP food packages do not provide a complete diet but are good sources of the nutrients typically lacking in the diets of participants. Packages include a variety of foods, such as nonfat dry and ultra high-temperature fluid milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry or fish, canned fruits and vegetables.
Participation
Participation in this program is limited, therefore new applicants may be put on a wait list.
Active participants are eligible to receive a CSFP package once a month during their certification period. A certification period is 12 months. Before the end of the 12 months, a participant can reapply.
For more information about CSFP, please visit www.fns.usda.gov/csfp
To be eligible for CSFP, a person must reside in Arizona, be at least 60 years old, and have a total household income that does not exceed 130% of the federal poverty level. (See following table.)
Household Size |
Yearly | Monthly | Weekly |
---|---|---|---|
1 | $19,578 | $1,632 | $377 |
2 | $26,572 | $2,215 | $511 |
3 | $33,566 | $2,798 | $646 |
4 | $40,560 | $3,380 | $780 |
5 | $47,554 | $3,963 | $915 |
6 | $54,548 | $4,546 | $1,049 |
7 | $61,542 | $5,129 | $1,184 |
8 | $68,536 | $5,712 | $1,318 |
For each additional person: |
Add $6,994 | Add $583 | Add $135 |
Example: To qualify for CSFP, the gross income of a household containing 2 people cannot exceed $26,572 per year.
Applications are usually completed at the Distribution Site by speaking to a worker who puts a participant’s information into a computer. The information is recorded as a requirement of the program and kept confidential.
Please read below to find your local site, items to bring and what to expect when you get there.
Photo identification is required to get a CSFP package. ID can be a Driver’s license, State ID card, or any other form of picture ID that proves identity.
If the photo identification does not also show that you are at least 60 years of age, additional documentation to confirm age must also be presented.
If you are homebound, please contact your local Distribution Site for directions on alternate ways to apply for the program, and to inquire about home delivery options.
When you get to the site, you will be asked to provide information including your name, address, phone number, date of birth and household size (number of people living in your home with you).
You will also be asked to confirm that you meet the current income eligibility, you will not sell, trade, barter or exchange CSFP food for services, and that you live in the geographic area served by the site.
Note: Participation in this program is limited, therefore you may be put on a wait list.
Arizona has several locations state-wide that provide CSFP food packages to eligible persons in need. Click the link below to find food assistance and other community services in your area.
Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable modification based on language or disability should submit a request as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the modification. The process for requesting a reasonable modification can be found at Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Modification