Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - Tennessee

The Tennessee Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) gives adults age 60 and older who live in Davidson, Dyer, and Shelby counties a free box of food every month. Each box has items like grains, canned fruits and vegetables, and juice.

These foods provide important nutrients many older adults need, like vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron. In Tennessee, the program is run by the Tennessee Department of Health.

How does the Tennessee Commodity Supplemental Food Program work?

The Tennessee Commodity Supplemental Food Program is a federally funded program that works to improve the health of low-income adults age 60 and older by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods. Once enrolled, you will pick up your monthly food package from a Tennessee CSFP distribution center near you.

CSFP foods may include:

• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Canned meats (such as canned beef, pork, and beef stew)
• Pasta or rice
• Dry beans or peanut butter
• Fruit juices
• Dry cereals
• Cheese
• Powdered and canned milk

The Tennessee CSFP is not meant to provide you with all your food, but to help save you money and ensure your meals are nutritious. Even if you already get help from other food programs like SNAP, you can still get a senior food box in Tennessee.

The USDA lets all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and some Tribal groups run the CSFP. In these areas, the program partners with local food banks, senior centers, and health clinics to enroll people and hand out monthly food packages.

Am I eligible for the Tennessee Senior Food Box Program?

To be eligible for the Tennessee CSFP, you must live in Davidson, Dyer, or Shelby County. You must also:

• Be age 60 or older
• Be at or below 150 percent of Federal poverty income guidelines

To see if you meet the Tennessee CSFP income limit, visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s Eligibility Requirements webpage.

How do I apply for the Tennessee CSFP?

To apply for the Tennessee CSFP, you must contact a local CSFP office. There are three CSFP locations in Davidson County, one in Dyer County, and one in Shelby County. Find the CSFP location nearest you.

Note to Davidson County residents: Current and future participants should contact Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN at 615-329-3491 to apply and to obtain more information about specific locations.

How do I find a Senior Food Box Program near me?

To learn if you can get food assistance in Tennessee, you can call the Tennessee Department of Health’s food assistance line at 615-741-0253 or visit a CSFP location near you. They can tell you whether you qualify for CSFP and help you apply.

What if I cannot get help from the Tennessee CSFP?

If you are unable to get help from Tennessee’s CSFP, there are many other food assistance programs that can help you receive nutritious meals:

• Meals on Wheels delivers hot, healthy meals right to your door and is available in most communities.
• Food banks and pantries give free groceries to people who need them. They are run by groups like Feeding America. Visit their website to find a food pantry near you.
• SNAP (food stamps) helps you pay for groceries each month. You use a special card (EBT card) to buy food at most stores. And even if you receive SNAP, you could still be eligible for Tennessee’s CSFP.
• Group meals, also known as congregate meals, serve hot and nutritious meals in places like senior centers, churches, or schools in your community.

You can also use our website to find out which of these food assistance programs are available in your area—just enter your ZIP code to get started.

Who can I talk to for help?

If you need help finding food assistance, you can:

• Contact a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC)  See if there’s one in your area.
• NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-800-794-6559