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Community Food and Nutrition Program (CFNP) Fact Sheet

What is CFNP?
The Community Food and Nutrition Program (“CFNP”) is the primary source of federal funding for anti-hunger and nutrition advocacy groups at the local, state and national level. This small program provides critical seed money for a range of local and state projects to alleviate hunger and restore millions of Americans to food self-sufficiency.

How is CFNP funded?
CFNP is administered by the Office of Community Services, Department of Health & Human Services. CFNP is funded via the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill, as a line item in the Community Services Block Grant. In FY 2005, CFNP was funded at $7.28 million, and has not been funded since.

How are CNFP funds distributed?
Under CFNP’s funding formula, funding levels up to $6 million, 60% of the funds are distributed to eligible agencies for statewide programs in each state. These “state formula grants” are allocated based on each state’s ratio of low-income and unemployed persons. The remaining 40% of CFNP monies is distributed through competitive grants to eligible agencies for local and statewide programs.

Funding above the $6 million threshold: 40% to state-formula grants; 40% to competitively-funded grants for local and state projects; and 20% for nationwide programs, including projects targeted to anti-hunger efforts for Native Americans and migrant farm workers. Grants for nationwide programs exist only at this funding level and are competitively awarded.

At an appropriation of $7 million, eleven small states (AK, DE, HI, MT, NH, ND, NV, RI, SD, VT and WY) are guaranteed minimum grants of $15,000, which rises to $20,000 or $30,000 when the total appropriation reaches $10 million or $15 million, respectively.

Who is eligible to receive CFNP funds?
States, public agencies, nonprofit groups and Community Action Agencies are eligible to receive funds. Applicants must demonstrate a history of successfully implementing anti-hunger programs and provide certifications, audits and reports.

How are CFNP funds used?
Under CFNP, funds are authorized to: (1) coordinate private and public food-assistance resources; (2) assist low-income communities in identifying potential sponsors of child nutrition programs (e.g. Summer Food) and initiating new programs in underserved or unserved areas; and (3) develop innovative approaches at the state and local levels to meet the nutritional needs of low-income people.

CFNP grants help charities build feeding capacity by coordinating efforts at the state and local level. CFNP funding also provides much-needed support for Federal nutrition program outreach in low-income communities. CFNP funds help leverage on-going donations from the private sector and have a multiplier effect that extends far beyond the program’s modest budget.