(JNS) The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) last week warmly welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to create a webpage listing kosher foods in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

In September 2021, Jewish and Muslim members of Congress sent a letter to the USDA urging the department to expand options for kosher and halal food. The USDA subsequently invited faith institutions to discuss the dietary needs of their communities and then met with JFNA’s public affairs team.

These efforts led to an announcement this past July that, beginning in January 2023, the USDA will increase the available kosher food products under its TEFAP program by 50%.

TEFAP, a federal program providing surplus food to food banks, then recently launched a new website that lists kosher items and gives guidance and information on kashrut guidelines.