Seniors are the second-most vulnerable group at risk of hunger. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program exists to help change that.
Healthy food close to home
The Capital Area Food Bank participates in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) within the District of Columbia, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County. The programs provide seniors with free, nutritious food so they can stay healthy and active. Each month, income-eligible seniors over 60 receive 30 to 40 pounds of healthy groceries that they can use to prepare the nutritious meals they need to live well.
Maximum Income by Household Size – 130% of the Poverty Line
| Household size | Weekly | Monthly | Annually |
| 1 | $377 | $1,632 | $19,578 |
| 2 | $511 | $2,215 | $26,572 |
| 3 | $646 | $2,798 | $33,566 |
| 4 | $780 | $3,380 | $40,560 |
| 5 | $915 | $3,963 | $47,554 |
| 6 | $1,049 | $4,564 | $54,548 |
| 7 | $1,184 | $5,129 | $61,542 |
| 8 | $1,318 | $5,712 | $68,536 |
| Each additional member |
+$135 | +$583 | +$6,994 |
Commodity Supplemental Food Program packages vary from month to month, but always include:
- One or two cartons of juice
- Two of three packs of a meat protein item (e.g. beef, chicken, salmon, or tuna)
- Two cartons of shelf-stable milk
- Three items of plant-based protein (e.g. dry beans, canned beans, lentils, or peanut butter)
- Two packs of a grain item
- One block of cheese
- Two or three cans of fruit
- Eight cans of vegetables
- Two breakfast items
Free Food for Seniors in DC
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program for D.C. residents is Grocery Plus. Grocery Plus is a combination of the USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. Participants in the program can pick up their fresh produce at the East Capitol Walk-In Center. During the summer months, Grocery Plus provides seniors with farmers market vouchers that are redeemable for produce at participating farmers markets.
The center is located at:
5601 East Capitol St., SE
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 644-9880
Application Process
Grocery Plus applications must be processed in person at a Grocery Plus distribution site or East Capitol Walk-In Center. To identify the pickup site closest to you, please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471. When registering, participants are required to bring in supporting documents to prove identity, age, and residency. One or two documents can be used as proof of meeting all requirements. The following documents are accepted: