Senior Food Boxes Are at Risk — Your Support Is Urgently Needed  

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) — commonly known as Senior Food Boxes — provides critical monthly nutrition to more than 15,000 low-income seniors across San Diego County. But this vital program is now at risk of being eliminated under the President’s proposed FY2026 budget.  

Senior Food Boxes are designed to improve the health and well-being of income-eligible individuals aged 60 and older — those living at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, or just $23,475 annually for a household of one. Each food box includes a balanced variety of USDA-supplied items such as shelf-stable milk, cheese, juice, cereals, rice, pasta, peanut butter, canned proteins, and fruits and vegetables. Every box is carefully assembled by San Diego Food Bank volunteers, ensuring consistency and care.  

The San Diego Food Bank believes the federal government should provide food banks with healthier, low-sodium alternatives to include in these boxes. In fact, we believe in this so strongly that we regularly supplement Senior Food Boxes with fresh produce, lean proteins, and other nutritious foods through programs like Farm to Family, which brings locally grown produce directly to our seniors.  

We know this approach works. As the trusted provider of Senior Food Boxes in San Diego County, we distribute boxes at 70 sites, including rural and underserved areas, reaching seniors for whom this may be their most reliable source of nutritious food.  

With the program’s future in jeopardy, we are calling on Congress to fully fund Senior Food Boxes at $425 million annually to ensure seniors continue receiving the food assistance they need and deserve. We also urge Congress to maintain the highly effective, cost-efficient food bank distribution model, which leverages local infrastructure, volunteers, and community partnerships to serve people quickly and equitably.  

Act now. Help us protect the health and dignity of our seniors.