All eligible agencies receiving TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) must comply with all guidelines in the TEFAP Manual and MN TEFAP Site Distribution Agreement.
- Overview of TEFAP from USDA
- TEFAP Application
- MN Statutes for Foodshelves
- Hunger Solutions TEFAP Videos
- “And Justice for All” Poster posted in an area visible to clients; this poster is available by contacting: [email protected]
- Non Discrimination Statement is posted on websites or documents that make mention of federal commodities.
- Written Grievance Procedure/Policy posted in an area visible to clients: Policy must be in place and approved by the Board of Directors
- SNAP (Food Stamp/Support) Information should be available to clients
- ADA Plan on file: Agencies are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Annual Civil Rights Training for all front-line Staff and Volunteers: Agencies are required to provide annual training to anyone having direct client contact at the organization; At least one individual should receive the online/in-person training from The Food Group staff and then train others at the organization.
- Publicity of Program Hours & Location: Information should be publicized in order to make potential participants aware of the availability of food assistance; Agency should have a phone message that states hours of operation and location.
- Current TEFAP Site Agreement should be kept on file with your organization
- TEFAP Policy and Operations Manual: Staff/volunteers should review this document and have an online or hard copy on hand at the organization.
- Opt out of TEFAP
All Food Shelves receiving TEFAP must also comply with the following requirements:
- Use the current TEFAP Eligibility Form for intake: form must be signed once a year during the TEFAP period of July 1st to June 30th; Forms are available in: English, Spanish, Hmong, Russian, Somali
- Data Privacy Notice (Tennessen Warning) should be signed by all recipients along with the TEFAP Eligibility Form (Aviso de Práctica de Privacidad Tennessen)
- Food must also be distributed in a way that:
- Recipients can access food at least once a month
- Accepts self-declaration of income for the TEFAP Eligibility Form (at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines)
- There is a pathway for people that want only food: for walk-ins, people who do not speak English and for homeless individuals who may not have access to a phone or means to make an appointment. A Limited English Proficiency Plan Template can be used to document your policies.
- Consultation with an intake worker or additional forms/paperwork must be voluntary.
Minnesota Food Shelves Receiving State Funding are required to provide voter registration materials to clients (available for free through your county auditor). That State of Minnesota provides voter registration materials in multiple languages here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistant program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
