Commodity Supplemental Food Program

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income seniors at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious commodity foods provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Food packages include a variety of foods: cheese; milk; fruit juice; farina or cold dry cereal or rolled oats; rice or pasta or grits or dehydrated potato flakes; peanut butter or dry beans or dry peas; canned meat or poultry or fish; and canned fruits, and canned vegetables. Commodities are pre-packed and distributed to eligible seniors monthly.  The contents of the food package may change monthly depending upon what is available from USDA.

Seniors who wish to participate must reside in New Jersey, must provide proof of identity, age, residency, and income.  Once approved, seniors will receive a monthly food package.

Eligibility Requirements
Requirement Acceptable Documentation
Resident of State of New Jersey

Driver license

Voter registration

State issued identification card

Two pieces of mail sent to applicant within the past 30 days, such as a utility bill

Rental lease

Age 60 or older

Birth certificate

Driver license

State issued identification card

Passport

  Income eligibility

Social security benefits statement

Recent paycheck stub

W2 form or income tax return for the previous calendar year (this form of proof of income is only valid through April 30 of the following year)

Statement of unemployment benefits

Retirement income statement

Proof of money given by relative, friend or social service agency

If you are ineligible, the food bank will notify you immediately at the time of application. Applicants shall be ineligible if they do not meet eligibility standards, are overdue for recertification, fail to pick up food for two months or more, become institutionalized or are deceased.

Waiting List, Proxies, and Disqualification

An applicant may be placed on a waiting list when there are no slots available. Applicants will be notified immediately when placed on the waiting list. The waiting list shall be first-on-first-off. Applicants will be contacted in the order they were placed on the waiting list when caseload becomes available.

Applicants are asked to identify a proxy. The proxy is only used for food pick-up if a participant is homebound, or is unable to keep the appointment.

Applicants cannot participate in more than one CSFP site at a time. Participants participating in more than one CSFP will be terminated from one of the site or the CSFP altogether. 

Applicants will be disqualified if they abuse the CSFP.

Last Reviewed: 6/30/2020