Several resources are available for food in everyday situations as well as before, during, and after emergencies and disasters. These resources are for individuals, households, governments, tribes, institutions, communities, and community-based and feeding organizations.
Individuals and households
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) operates programs to help eligible people get food.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is for people who meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. Special SNAP rules apply to households with elderly or disabled members. To apply for SNAP benefits, or get more information, those eligible can contact their local SNAP office. See the SNAP State Directory of Resources.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is for income-eligible households on Indian reservations. It is also available to Native American/Alaska Native households in designated areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. For assistance, contact:
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are postpartum but not breastfeeding. WIC also services infants and children up to age 5.
Recipients must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be at risk for poor nutrition. WIC provides:
- Nutritious foods to supplement diets.
- Information on healthy eating, breastfeeding promotion, and support.
- Referrals to health care.
Resource
Tools to help find food
Find meals for students during school summer vacation. Through USDA’s summer meal programs, approved sites serve meals to kids up to age 18 at no cost. Find directions, hours of operation, and contact information.
Meals on Wheels provides meals for individuals with diminished mobility who are generally 60 and older, although age requirements can vary. Find a provider.
Food Finder is an interactive map of food pantries and free food assistance programs.
The USDA Local Food Directories allows users to search for a farmers’ market, community supported agriculture, or other local food businesses by zip code, product, payment method, and other criteria.
Governments, tribes, communities, and practitioners
These resources help identify and support people with food insecurity.
Food and Nutrition Security State and National Profiles highlight opportunities to strengthen food and nutrition security programs, policies or practices, and infrastructure.
Survey Tools offer screening tools for food insecurity, such as the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module. Many non-English translations are available.
The Hunger Vital Sign is a two-question food insecurity screening tool. It is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Korean, Nepali, Russian, Somalian, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.
Food Insecurity Screening for Adults helps identify and address food insecurity among adults in the clinical setting. A positive food insecurity screen can be coded in the electronic medical record. Identified patients can be connected with eligible food sources.
For older adults, the Administration for Community Living Nutrition and Aging Resource Center offers Training and Tools and Data and Reports.
For rural communities, the Rural Health Information Hub Topic Guide provides access to publications, maps, funding, and other topics. For example, Hunger and Access to Healthy Food.
Before, during, and after an emergency
Disaster resources from USDA FNS:
Pandemic planning resources from USDA FNS:
Extension Disaster Education Network is a collaborative multi-state effort by Cooperative Extension Services. This network improves the delivery of services to communities affected by disasters.
Read more about engaging communities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery: Community Organizations Active in Disaster.
Preparing for an emergency or disaster
Eating a healthy diet is an important part of overall health and well-being. Find tips to help you build a nutritious emergency food supply.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans can be used to pick simple daily food goals. Build a Food Kit includes suggested food and supplies. It includes tips on food safety and cooking without power. It is available in multiple languages, such as Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Breastfeeding is the best infant feeding option in a natural disaster.
During and after an emergency or disaster
After a disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides immediate Individual Disaster Assistance.
People who were not eligible for assistance before a disaster may be eligible after a disaster if their income and resources change. The USDA FNS Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides short-term food assistance benefits to families after a disaster.
To apply for D-SNAP or get more information, those eligible can contact their local SNAP office. See the SNAP Local Directory of Resources.
Also see:
Peer learning
Examples of how governments, communities, organizations, and practitioners support food and nutrition security before, during, and after disasters and emergencies.
FEMA Case Study Library offers reports and best practice articles.
Local and Regional Food Systems Response to COVID-19 includes:
Reimagining Hunger Responses in Times of Crisis offers insights from case examples. It also includes a survey of Indian Country communities’ food access during COVID-19. It provides recommendations for strengthening agriculture infrastructure to support Native-led agriculture and food sovereignty.
