CSFP Program Provides Free Food Boxes for Seniors

Seniors, have you heard about the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)? If not, this program could change your life. It provides free food boxes to low income seniors who are at least 60 years old.

In this post, we’ll discuss what CSFP is, who is eligible for it, what foods you can get, and how you can apply for this incredible food program.

What is CSFP?

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federal food program that helps seniors obtain healthy, nutritious food at no cost. The food is provided in food boxes, which are curated and distributed to seniors through local distribution agencies.

This federal program serves all 50 states and is administered by the Food and Nutrition Services agency.  It was authorized under Sections 4(a) and 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible for the CSFP Program if you meet these requirements:

• You must be at least 60 years old.
• You must meet income guidelines. The income guidelines are usually 150% of the Federal Poverty Level but may be lower in some areas.
• You must live in an area with an operational CSFP program.

This program is available in many but not all areas. It is operational in parts of all 50 states. It’s also available in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and seven Tribal areas.

The Food and Nutrition Service allows each state agency or Indian Trible Organization (ITO) to set their own income guidelines, residency rules and other qualifiers. Depending on where you live, you may also be required to prove your residency or be considered nutritionally “at risk” by a doctor or the CSFP agency.

USDA Commodity Food List

This program is intended to be supplemental, so it does not provide a full and complete diet. Instead, it is intended to provide supplements to help ensure that low income seniors are able to access a healthy, balanced diet.

Every year, the USDA updates the list of food items that are available through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). These are the items that local agencies can choose to distribute to seniors in their area.

In 2025, the USDA Commodity Food List includes:

• Protein Foods
  • Beef, Canned/Pouch
  • Beef Chili, With Beans, Canned/Pouch
  • Beef Stew, Canned/Pouch
  • Chicken, Canned
  • Chicken, Pouch
  • Peanut Butter, Smooth
  • Salmon, Pink, Canned
• Dairy
  • Cheese, American Loaf
  • Milk, 1%
  • Milk, Instant Dry Nonfat
• Fruits and Juices:
  • Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened
  • Applesauce, Unsweetened, Canned
  • Apricots, Halves, Extra Light Syrup, Canned
  • Cherry Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened
  • Cranberry Apple Juice, 100%, Unsweetened
  • Grape Juice, Concord, 100%, Unsweetened
  • Mixed Fruit, Extra Light Syrup, Canned
  • Orange Juice, 100%, Unsweetened
  • Peaches, Sliced, Extra Light Syrup, Canned
  • Pears, Extra Light Syrup, Canned
  • Plums, Purple, Canned
  • Raisins, Unsweetened
• Vegetables:
  • Beans, Green, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Carrots, Sliced, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Corn, Whole Kernel, No Salt Added, Canned
  • Mixed Vegetables, 7-Way Blend, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Peas, Green, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Potatoes, Dehydrated Flakes
  • Potatoes, Sliced, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Spaghetti Sauce, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Spinach, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Sweet Potatoes, Light Syrup, No Salt Added, Canned
  • Tomato Juice, 100%, Low-sodium
  • Tomatoes, Diced, No Salt Added, Canned
  • Vegetable Soup, Condensed, Low-sodium, Canned
• Grains:
  • Cereal, Ready to Eat
  • Cereal, White Farina
  • Grits, White Corn
  • Oats, Quick Rolled
  • Pasta (Macaroni, Rotini and Spaghetti)
  • Rice, Long Grain (white or brown)
• Legumes:
  • Beans, Black, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Beans, Great Northern, Dry
  • Beans, Kidney, Light Red, Dry
  • Beans, Kidney, Light Red, Low-Sodium, Canned
  • Beans, Lima, Baby, Dry
  • Beans, Pinto, Dry
  • Beans, Pinto, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Beans, Vegetarian, Low-sodium, Canned
  • Lentils, Dry

How to Apply

In order to apply for the CSFP Program, you will need to contact the program administer in your area. You can find the distribution agency in your area on the USDA CSFP map. Simply click on the state you live in to see the contact information for these agencies.

Get More Free Food

If you are eligible for CSFP, you may also be eligible for other food assistance programs as well. Seniors who qualify for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program are often also eligible for even more free food programs such as:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides money on an EBT card to help low income seniors buy food. This program also qualifies you for special EBT discounts and benefits.
• Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides coupons to help low income seniors get free food from their local farmer’s markets in the summer. The coupons are usually worth around $50 and you can sometimes double that value as well.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) distributes USDA food to low income people through local food banks and pantries.
• Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) delivers USDA food to low income people in eligible Tribal areas.

Relief Recap

The CSFP program can be very helpful to low income seniors who are struggling to afford healthy, nutritious food. If you’re over the age of 60 and meet the income requirements, I strongly recommend reaching out to see if there is a CSFP distributor in your area. This program has been a lifesaver for many of our readers and YouTube subscribers.