Description

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides food assistance to those in need in areas affected by a disaster. This Federal assistance is in addition to that provided by State and local governments.

Participation

Under the National Response Framework, FNS can provide:

o USDA Foods to disaster relief agencies to feed people at shelters and mass       feeding sites.    o States can also, with FNS approval, release USDA Foods to disaster relief agencies       to distribute directly to households that are in need. Such direct distribution takes       place when normal commercial food supply channels such as grocery stores have       been disrupted, damaged or destroyed, or is unable to function.    o FNS can authorize the issuance of D-SNAP when the President declares a major      disaster with individual assistance. States need FNS approval to operate a D-SNAP in      areas affected by a disaster. FNS works closely with States to prepare plans for      D-SNAP.

Contact Information

For more information about this program, we suggest that you visit www.fns.usda.gov/disasters/disaster.htm

Last modified: 01/22/2013