Agency Resource Page

New USDA TEFAP & CSFP Information 

More information:   

NEW CSFP Income Guidelines

NEW TEFAP Income Guidelines

New TEFAP Guidelines: 

Food Banks and their distribution sites will no longer be required to verify the exact address nor I.D. of households who are eligible to get TEFAP.  Self-declaration of residency should suffice, and this should aid in speeding up the application process.  

In addition to the USDA Final rule, Agencies will allow 2 pick-ups a month for TEFAP perishable items. If an agency needs more than 2 pick-ups per month for NONE-Perishable foods, IT MUST be pre-approved by the USDA Food Distribution Unit.

(Read: Partner pantry agencies should note that neighbors are allowed to pick up perishable TEFAP items twice a month and non-perishable items once a month.)

Coming Soon!! 

USDA TEFAP and CSFP modules will be rolled out on Service Insights!  Our staff will be training next week.  The Service Insights Team will be reaching out to current Service Insight users to train you on how to use this module in the coming months.  Non-Service Insight Users: All USDA agencies will be required to implement Service Insights in the coming months.   

Welcome to the New Agency Resource Page! 

We are thrilled to introduce this long-awaited resource page, designed with your needs in mind. We hope you’ll make the most of all it has to offer! 

Each month, our newsletter will direct you here for the latest updates. On this page, you’ll find: 

News and announcements 

Links for reporting 

Training schedules and videos 

Resources and downloadable toolkits 

The page will be updated monthly, so be sure to check back regularly for new content. Our goal is to equip you with the tools and information you need, allowing you to focus on what matters most—feeding families, children, and seniors in your community. 

Welcome to the Service Insights Monthly Newsletter!  

Welcome to the Service Insights Monthly Newsletter!  

This newsletter is your go-to source for updates from the Service Insights Team. Each month, we’ll share highlights and key data from the previous month to keep you informed and engaged. 

For those already using Oasis Service Insights, we hope you find this information helpful. If you’re not yet on Oasis, now is the perfect time to explore it! 

Reminder: All member pantries will be required to transition to Oasis Service Insights by December 2026. Don’t wait—sign up today and get ahead of the curve! 

You can view the newsletter here.

Find A Pantry:  Vivery

Exciting Update: New Find Food Map! 

If you haven’t heard yet, we’ve rolled out a brand-new Find Food Map that you now have access to—and you can update your pantry’s information directly! This new platform gives you the ability to customize your pantry’s hours, services, and even upload photos. The really cool news is that it allows you to create your own pantry website and text the neighbors you serve! 

Your pantry’s main contact should have received an email from VIVERY on November 7th with a link to claim your site. Once you’ve claimed your site, you can also add other users. 

Below are helpful resources to get you started: 

Please take a moment to review your pantry’s information on our website. If anything is incorrect, follow the steps provided to update it.  Find Food – Arkansas Foodbank 

Agency Support


Reach out to our different Agency Support contacts with any questions or updates:

Agency Express

Reporting

How to Submit Monthly Reports

Non-Service Insight Users and USDA pantries:  Please use the “Submit Monthly Reports” button for reporting.  (Reports are due by the 1st of each month.  Late submissions will put your pantry on HOLD, preventing orders.  All member pantries will transition to Service Insights by December 2026.) 

– If you would like to begin transitioning your pantry to Service Insights to prepare for the December 2026 deadline, please reach out to: serviceinsights@arkansasfoodbank.org 

Need Volunteers?

Volunteers can play a crucial role in supporting various tasks in your agency. The more you involve volunteers from diverse age groups and demographics, the stronger your program will become. 
Email | Phone

Become a Mentor Pantry

Your expertise and willingness to serve could make a significant difference in supporting and strengthening our network of member pantries.
Email | Phone

Neighbor or Pantry Highlight

We want to celebrate your impactful moments and successes! Send us an email to share photos and stories of neighbors your pantry has assisted—stories of impact are especially valuable.
Email | Story and Highlight Interest Form

NEW Arkansas Foodbank Partner Agencies Facebook Group

Private AFB Agency Facebook Group specifically to support you and enhance communication, helping you better serve your neighbors.
Join Group

Grant Opportunities

Blue and You Mini Grants of $1K to 5K

Applicants will be open during the months of January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November and notifications of approval or decline will be sent during the months of March, June, September, and December. 


USDA

CSFP

Serving Older Adults with a Monthly Food Package 

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of persons with low-income, at least 60 years of age, by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.  

Interested in Becoming a CSFP Agency? 

If you’re passionate about supporting low-income seniors, consider becoming a CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) agency. As a CSFP agency, you’ll receive FREE high-quality food to distribute to seniors in need. While seniors must meet eligibility requirements to qualify, the effort to gather this information is well worth it, as it allows you to provide critical support to this vulnerable population. 

The Arkansas Foodbank submits applications for new CSFP programs each September, and USDA notifies us of approved agencies the following April or May. If you’re interested in joining, let us know—we’d love to have you on board! 

If you’re interested in joining, let us know! Click here to email Program Services (send to mmitchell@arkansasfoodbank.org)

TEFAP

Strengthening the Nation’s Nutrition Safety Net and Supporting American Agriculture 

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.  

Interested in Becoming a USDA TEFAP Agency? 

We’re looking to expand our network of agencies participating in the USDA TEFAP program. As a TEFAP agency, you’ll receive FREE high-quality food to distribute to neighbors in need. While there are eligibility requirements for neighbors to qualify for this food, the extra effort to gather this information is well worth it—allowing you to provide families with even more support. 

If you’re interested in joining, let us know! Click here to email Agency Services


Foodbank University

Welcome to Foodbank University! Here, you can discover upcoming training opportunities offered by the Arkansas Foodbank for our partner pantries, available both online and in person.

If there are any specific topics you’d like to see covered, please reach out to us. 

Training Videos:

Basic Food Safety, Civil Rights and Service with a Smile-20240809_100101-Meeting Recording.mp4

Civil Rights Training Video

Civil Rights Survey

Compliance Survey

New Training Coming in 2025! 

We’re excited to support your growth and development with fresh training opportunities in 2025. Stay tuned for more details.

SNAP

Do you have a neighbor who needs help accessing SNAP? Our SNAP staff at the Arkansas Foodbank is here to assist with completing the application and will provide follow-up support through our case management program to ensure eligibility and approval. 

Visit the SNAP page to learn more or sign your neighbor up for a phone appointment HERE


Contact our SNAP Team


Email | Phone

Flyers and Resources

Neighbor Resource Toolkit

SNAP Poster 24×18

SNAP Flyer Tear-Off

Arkansas Foodbank Media Kit

Food Insecurity Lesson Plan – MiddleHigh

Food Insecurity Lesson Plan (Elementary)

Find Food Graphic Post

January 2025 Recalls

Braga Fresh – Broccoli Florets – 12.31.24

Abbey Specialty Foods – Cheddar Style Cheeses – 1.3.25

FSIS Public Health Alert – Raw Ground Beef Products – 1.5.25

Contact Our Team!

Powered by MHP.SI