A new federal budget proposal could significantly change how millions of Americans receive food assistance. The plan would eliminate the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which currently serves hundreds of thousands of low income seniors, and replace it with “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) food boxes.
This idea isn’t entirely new. Similar proposals have been introduced several times since 2018, including the America’s Harvest Box and the Farmers to Families Food Box programs. While these earlier efforts aimed to cut costs and deliver fresh food directly to households, they were widely criticized and eventually discontinued due to logistical failures, waste, and lack of oversight.
What Are MAHA Food Boxes?
According to the federal budget proposal, MAHA boxes would contain fresh, nutritious items sourced directly from American farmers. The stated goal is to move away from “shelf-stable foods that are high in sodium and other harmful ingredients,” which are commonly found in current CSFP packages. Unlike existing food bank distribution models, MAHA boxes would be delivered straight to participants’ homes.
The USDA has suggested that this approach could eventually expand to include other food assistance programs, such as SNAP, the summer EBT program (SunBucks), WIC, and more. However, specific timelines and implementation plans have not been shared.
Why Are Experts Concerned?
Critics point to the failure of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, a COVID-era initiative that delivered over 173 million boxes in one year. That program faced major problems. Many recipients reported receiving boxes filled with unsuitable or spoiled items. Others experienced missed or delayed deliveries.
Congressional investigations found widespread waste and poor oversight. Vendors without food distribution experience—including companies that typically handled weddings and events—were awarded millions in contracts. In some cases, payments were made for deliveries that were never completed.
While the goal of providing fresh, healthy food is a good one, replacing CSFP or SNAP benefits with a system that lacks proven success raises serious concerns. This is especially true for older adults who may face challenges with meal preparation, food storage, or accessibility.
Who Could Be Affected?
Currently, the CSFP provides monthly food boxes to about 730,000 low income seniors aged 60 and older across the country. These boxes typically include canned vegetables, grains, and shelf-stable proteins. If the MAHA food box program moves forward, these seniors could lose access to their existing food assistance.
The proposal also leaves room for a broader rollout to include SNAP and other programs in the future, although those details are still unclear.
Is This a Done Deal?
Not yet. The MAHA food box concept is part of the 2026 federal budget request. That means it’s a proposal—not law—and would need to be approved by Congress. For now, CSFP remains fully funded and operational.
However, the suggestion has raised concerns among food security advocates. Many are encouraging people to contact their lawmakers and share their thoughts about the proposed changes.
Relief Recap
The MAHA food box proposal revives ideas that have been tried before—and failed to meet expectations. While improving access to fresh, healthy food is an important goal, replacing trusted programs with an unproven model could put vulnerable seniors at risk. This is still just a proposal, but it’s one that deserves close attention. If you or someone you know relies on these services, now is the time to speak up, stay informed, and get involved.