This final rulemaking will amend regulatory provisions at 7 CFR 247, 7 CFR 250, 251, 253, and 254 to make access and parity improvements within several food distribution programs, including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and USDA Foods disaster response. The development of the proposed rule was informed by stakeholder feedback and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, including input from State and local agencies, advocacy organizations, and Tribal leaders. FNS published the proposed rule with a 60-day comment period and will consider comments received in development of this final rule.

Revisions to CSFP regulations (7 CFR 247) will focus on increasing access to the program for low-income seniors in need of program benefits. Revisions to USDA Foods disaster response regulations (7 CFR 250) will focus on clarifying the requirements for the use of USDA Foods in disaster situations.  Revisions to TEFAP regulations (7 CFR 251) will focus on improving access to the program by simplifying requirements for State and local program operators.  Revisions to FDPIR program regulations (7 CFR 253) will focus on aligning FDPIR eligibility requirements and improving parity with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  Additionally, this proposed rulemaking will make technical corrections throughout program regulations. Conforming revisions will be made to 7 CFR 254.