Food Distribution Programs
Urgent: Resources for Additional Food Assistance
Because of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not released the funds that states use to pay SNAP (food assistance) benefits. This means Colorado is unable to issue the approximately $120 million of November SNAP benefits to clients until the federal government restores funding.
If you need more food resources during the government shutdown, we encourage you to reach out to your local food banks or community agencies in your area. Sites offering our Household USDA Foods Distribution Programs will also be listed on these Find Food websites.To find these resources in your area, please contact:
- 211 Colorado: Call 2-1-1 or 866-760-6489 or visit the 211 Colorado website
- Feeding Colorado: Search the Feeding Colorado food finder or email info@feedingcolorado.org
The Colorado Department of Human Services' Food Distribution Programs (FDP) provide U.S. Department of Agriculture foods to households, food banks, schools and child care facilities throughout Colorado. USDA foods are a nutritious form of food assistance that includes meats, fish, poultry, grains, dairy, fruits, vegetables and beans. The FDP relies on a partnership of the entire community, including the food and dairy industry, federal and state governments, and local agencies, for the ongoing success to meet the demands of our clients.
Household programs
CDHS's Food Distribution Programs work with emergency feeding organizations throughout Colorado to provide households in need with food assistance. Household programs include The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
Child nutrition and schools
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are federally assisted meal programs that operate in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The CDHS Food Distribution Programs distributes USDA foods for these programs.
Disaster feeding
CDHS has the authority to release USDA Foods to disaster relief agencies for mass feeding during disasters and in certain other types of emergencies. The Commodity Alert System delivers notices of significant holds or recalls of commodity foods distributed through Food and Nutrition Service programs.
Local Food Purchase Assistance
The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that helps states source local foods from historically underserved producers and provide local foods to underserved communities.
- Civil rights and non-discrimination statement
Because the Colorado Department of Human Services administers U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, it is required to follow various USDA rules and regulations. Institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are required to display the appropriate “And Justice for All” poster in their facilities where it can be viewed by customers.
Civil rights
Click here to read the USDA's full nondiscrimination statement in English and Spanish.
Institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are required to display the appropriate “And Justice for All” poster in their facilities where it can be viewed by customers. All "And Justice for All" posters may not be reproduced or published in any way. This means that agencies may only post the authorized poster received from our office or their regional food bank. The image displayed here is for the purpose of reference rather than for printing and display.
Resources
- Civil Rights Training Module for USDA Foods Programs (CSFP & TEFAP)
- Civil Rights Training for Household Programs PowerPoint Presentation
- Civil Rights Training for Volunteers (English)
- Civil Rights Training for Volunteers (Spanish)
Nondiscrimination statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and 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 various factors. Click here to visit the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service Nondiscrimination Statement page.
- Contact Food Distribution Programs staff
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Main phone line: 303.866.5106
Toll-free phone line: 888.467.0418
Staff members:
Samantha Kostman-Fesler
FDP Manager
303.868.6927
Samantha.Kostman-Fesler@state.co.usLeah Sullivan
TEFAP Program Specialist
303.598.7938
Leah.Sullivan@state.co.usDeborah Cameron
CN USDA Foods Manager
720.413.3592
DeborahA.Cameron@state.co.usDavid Dingus
Local Food Purchase & Resilience Project Lead
720.827.6154
David.Dingus@state.co.usGabe Dusenbury
Contract Specialist
720.692.7478
Gabe.Dusenbury@state.co.usTara Munoz
FDP Coordinator
303.868.1929
Tara.Munoz@state.co.usJon Sly
Inventory Specialist
720.633.7816
Jonathan.Sly@state.co.us