Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed)
In partnership with the Department of Social Services, the Lowcountry Food Bank is the SNAP-Ed Implementing Agency for coastal South Carolina. SNAP-Ed supports SNAP’s role in addressing food insecurity. It is central to SNAP’s efforts to improve nutrition and prevent or reduce diet-related chronic disease and obesity among SNAP recipients. SNAP-Ed’s goal is to improve the likelihood that persons who are eligible for SNAP will make healthy food choices on a limited budget and choose physically active lifestyles consistent with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income, elderly persons, who are at least 60 years of age, by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA-recommended foods. The program is currently available in Berkeley, Charleston, Horry and Williamsburg counties.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Lowcountry Food Bank is the sole distributor of USDA products to feed insecure people in coastal South Carolina. This relationship with the SC Department of Social Services provides better quality food on a more consistent schedule, greatly reduces barriers to access and saves taxpayer money by distributing these government commodities. For more information about the TEFAP and CSFP programs, please visit the SC Department of Social Services Healthy Helpings website.
“In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.”
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact the USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be available in languages other than English.
For more information about the TEFAP and CSFP programs, please visit the SC Department of Social Services Healthy Helpings website. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.