Public Food Programs
In working toward its primary objective of achieving food security for all Montanans, the FSC works to improve access to the following Public Food Programs:
1. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamp Program) in Montana
Provides benefits to buy food every month. This program enables families to buy healthy food for their families.
SNAP Farmer’s Market Program: SNAP benefits can be redeemed to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local Farmer’s Markets.
2. MSU Extension Service – Food and Nutrition Programs
a) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) offers nutrition education to SNAP participants and persons eligible to receive SNAP benefits. The program provides people the skills to assist in choosing a healthy lifestyle through good eating plans.
a) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) offers nutrition education to SNAP participants and persons eligible to receive SNAP benefits. The program provides people the skills to assist in choosing a healthy lifestyle through good eating plans.
EFNEP provides nutrition education to youth and limited-resource adults with children under the age of 19, as well as adults and seniors. It is available in some counties in Montana.
3. Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP)
CACFP provides reimbursement towards the cost of meals at non-residential child care organizations. CACFP also offers training for the center staff. The program is available at centers where children up to age 12 are at or below 185% of the poverty level.
CACFP provides reimbursement towards the cost of meals at non-residential child care organizations. CACFP also offers training for the center staff. The program is available at centers where children up to age 12 are at or below 185% of the poverty level.
a) School Lunch: The National School Lunch Program provides federal reimbursement to public and private schools for lunch meals in three categories: Paid meals, Reduced Price Meals, Free Meals.
b) School Breakfast: The National School Breakfast Program provides federal reimbursement to public and private schools for lunch meals in three categories: Paid meals, Reduced Price Meals, Free Meals.
c) Summer Food Service Program: This is a USDA program that provides nutritious meals to children at no charge, when school is out during the summer. To find out if there is a program in your community, as well as further information about the program, visit OPI School Nutrition Programs' Summer Food Service Program page.
5. WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children)
The WIC program provides nutrition education, vouchers for healthy food and referral to health and social services in the community for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infant and children up to the age of 5.
The WIC program provides nutrition education, vouchers for healthy food and referral to health and social services in the community for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infant and children up to the age of 5.
WIC Farmer’s Market Program: SNAP benefits can be redeemed to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local Farmer’s Markets
6. Commodity Food Programs
a) The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides free commodity foods through local organizations that distribute food to households or serve at congregate meal sites.
a) The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides free commodity foods through local organizations that distribute food to households or serve at congregate meal sites.
b) The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides monthly food package and assistance to eligible seniors over the age of 60 whose income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. The food packages are distributed at select sites in the state. The program also provides food packages to children between the age of 5 and 6 who are eligible.
c) The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) The Program provides commodity foods to Native Americans who are not on the SNAP program. Participants are provided with nutritious commodity foods monthly.
7. Aging Food and Nutrition Programs:
Senior Nutrition Programs are offered to seniors over age 60 in order to improve their health and nutrition. Several types of programs are offered through the Area Agencies on Aging.
Senior Nutrition Programs are offered to seniors over age 60 in order to improve their health and nutrition. Several types of programs are offered through the Area Agencies on Aging.
a) Congregate Meals Program: Offers nutritious meals at over 170 sites through Area Agencies in Montana. The meal programs may vary at each site. For more information – contact the Agency on Aging in your area at 1-800-551-3191.
b) Home Delivered Meals: Home Delivered Meals are offered to seniors who are home-bound and unable to get to the Congregate Meal sites for healthy, nutritious meals. For more information – contact the Agency on Aging in your area at 1-800-551-3191.
c) Nutrition Education Programs: Aging meal sites offer nutrition education to promote better health to seniors at the Congregate sites and to those receiving Home Delivered Meals. For more information – contact the Agency on Aging in your area at 1-800-551-3191.
d) Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). See 6.b above.
e) Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Offered to qualifying seniors over age 60 to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables in some Montana cities. For more information call 1-800-332-2272.
f) Nutrition Consultations: The Aging Services Bureau contracts with a Registered Dietitian to offer consultation regarding nutrition issues for seniors, food safety and training for program providers. For more information contact the state office at 1-800-332-2272.