All the most current resources you need to successfully operate the Commodity Supplemental Food Program are available here. TDA keeps this page updated with any new policy updates and news, including the following:
- Handbook release notices with update summaries
- Form release notices
- Brand new policy updates that haven’t yet been updated within the handbooks
- FAQs and other resources, as required
Please bookmark this page and check back periodically. Please also replace any previous versions of saved handbook sections once an update is released, as announced below.
February 15. 2026 - RELEASE: 2026 CSFP Income Eligibility Guidelines
The new 2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines for the Elderly (Form H1666) form for CSFP has been posted and released. The form and instructions can be accessed on SquareMeals at:
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/CommoditySupplementalFoodProgram/CSFPAdministrationForms.aspx
The IEGs are also posted to the Income Eligibility Guidelines page on SquareMeals: https://squaremeals.org/FandN-Resources/Income-Eligibility-Guidelines. Please replace any previous versions of the form that you may have saved.
December 17. 2025 - Increase to the Micro-purchase Threshold
On October 1, the Office of Management and Budget increased the micro-purchase threshold from $10,000 to $15,000. Effective immediately, all Contracting Entities can use this higher threshold when using the micro-purchase method of procurement. All handbooks will be updated early next year to reflect this new threshold. All other procurement requirements remain unchanged.
September 29, 2025 - RELEASE: CSFP Handbook - Multiple Sections
The following CSFP Handbook sections have been revised and posted to the CSFP Policy/Handbook page on SquareMeals:
- Section 2, Program Application;
- Section 3, Managing the Program;
- Section 7, Financial Management; and
- Section 9, Terms, Definitions, and Acronyms
Handbook Revision Notice 25-02, also published below, provides details about the revisions made.
You can find the complete CSFP Handbook; individual, revised sections; and the Revision Notice at https://squaremeals.org/Programs/Commodity-Supplemental-Food-Program/Policy-Handbook
September 23, 2025 - RELEASE: Revised Written Notification to Participants Checklist
A revised CSFP Written Notification to Participants Checklist has been posted to the CSFP Administration/Forms page on SquareMeals (https://squaremeals.org/Programs/Commodity-Supplemental-Food-Program/Administration-Forms). This tool includes a useful summary of all notification requirements that CSFP Contracting Entities must follow when notifying participants about eligibility, discontinuance of service, denial of service, and any changes to certification status.
August 29, 2025 - Increase to the Formal Procurement Threshold
On September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1173, which raises the formal procurement threshold for school districts from $50,000 to $100,000, TDA is also raising the formal procurement threshold to $100,000 for all nutrition and household programs. As such, beginning September 1, any single transaction over $10,000 but below $100,000 will require the small purchase method, and transactions of $100,000 and over will require formal procurement. TDA is in the process of updating these thresholds in all program handbooks.
August 20, 2025 - Revised Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates
USDA has revised the Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates (the guide rate) for food packages for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The new guide rate is effective for distributions beginning September 2025.
Significant revisions include the reduction of combinations for the plant-based proteins and cereal categories to just the previous top-line option for each. Also note that the larger pack sizes for some food items are being reduced or will no longer be available, such as chili, chicken, lentils, and rice. Food banks should continue to distribute from their current inventories of large pack food items until consumed and replaced with any of the new sizes.
Please see find the full guide rate here:
https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/monthly-distribution-rates