SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the largest federal food assistance program and the one most people have heard of. But it is far from the only resource available to families and individuals who need help with food costs. Several programs operate separately from SNAP, serve different populations, or fill gaps that SNAP does not cover. Knowing what exists makes it much more likely that you can find the right combination of resources for your situation.
The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
Children from households with income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for free school meals. Children from households between 130 and 185 percent qualify for reduced-price meals. The application is filed through your child's school district, and eligibility is renewed annually. In many districts, all students from households meeting an income threshold are automatically enrolled through community eligibility, which removes the application burden. If your child's school participates and you have not checked eligibility, it is worth doing — meals that might otherwise cost $2 to $4 per day are free or nearly free.
Food banks and food pantries
The Feeding America network operates food banks in every state, which supply thousands of local food pantries and community organizations. Most food pantries serve anyone in a geographic area without requiring documentation of income or citizenship status. Visiting a local food pantry does not affect SNAP eligibility and does not count against any public charge determinations. Feeding America's website has a food bank locator that shows the nearest location and hours. Many pantries also operate mobile distributions and do not require visitors to be in poverty — they exist to reduce food insecurity across income levels.
The Summer EBT program
Summer EBT, known in some states as SUN Bucks, provides grocery benefits to children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals during the summer months when school is out. As of 2024, the program has been made permanent and is being implemented across states. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card and can be used at authorized grocery stores in the same way as SNAP. If your children receive free or reduced-price school meals, they may automatically qualify for Summer EBT without a separate application depending on your state's implementation.
Senior nutrition programs
Adults 60 and older can access food assistance through programs funded by the Older Americans Act. The Congregate Nutrition Program provides meals at senior centers and similar community locations. The Home-Delivered Meal program, often called Meals on Wheels, delivers meals to homebound seniors. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides monthly boxes of nutritious food to low-income seniors. These programs are administered locally and eligibility and availability vary by area. Your local Area Agency on Aging, findable through eldercare.acl.gov, can connect you with what is available in your zip code.
Double Up Food Bucks and similar incentive programs
Double Up Food Bucks is a program available in many states that matches SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets, grocery stores, and farm stands. Typically, every dollar of SNAP spent on produce generates an additional dollar of purchasing power for more produce, effectively doubling the food buying power for healthy foods. Availability varies by state and retailer. The Fair Food Network website has a state-by-state directory of where Double Up is accepted. For SNAP recipients, this can meaningfully stretch the monthly benefit for families who prioritize fresh produce.