Food Assistance for Military Families

• Keep low-cost pantry staples in stock, including rice, beans, pasta and canned goods.
• Buy food in bulk when possible.

• Plan meals around sales, seasonal produce and what you already have.
• Use unit pricing to compare costs.

Pro tip: Shop the commissary. Learn how commissaries promote nutrition readiness by providing quality products at low prices. Find a commissary near you.

• Prepare home-cooked meals, such as soups or stews that reheat well so your family has reliable, healthy options.
• Try batch cooking and using leftovers to reduce waste.
• Visit the Mission Ready Meal Kit for Nutritious meal ideas.

Pro-tip: Curate your plate with low-cost and delicious recipes for every meal. Find recipes at Nutrition.gov and Human Performance Resources by CHAMP.

• Find local food banks to access free, healthy foods.
• Apply for FSSA — Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance — to meet basic needs.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
  SNAP helps eligible families supplement their grocery budget to support healthy nutrition.
• National Hunger Hotline
  Find local food pantries and SNAP locations to get access to free, healthy food.

• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
  For pregnant women and for children up to age 5, WIC provides free healthy foods, breastfeeding support and more to eligible families.
  Living OCONUS? Check out WIC Overseas.
• National School Lunch Program
  NSLP is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.
• SUN Meals
  Through SUN Meals, kids of all ages can eat free meals and snacks during the summer at schools, parks and other neighborhood locations.
• SUN Bucks
  Eligible school-age children can get up to $120 in grocery benefits when school is out for the summer.