The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) administers funding for various food assistance programs, including the state Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) and the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).  
 
In administering the TEFAP for the state, the WSDA receives food and operational funding from the United States Department of Agriculture for distribution to 19 lead contractors statewide.  These contractors provide food to food banks, food pantries, shelters, and meal providers.
 
Through the EFAP, the WSDA awards funds to lead contractors in each county who work with local food banks and food pantries to distribute funding for local emergency food networks.  Funding may pay for:  administrative costs; operational costs such as rent, salaries, gasoline for vehicles, and supplies; purchase of food; nutrition training for staff and clients; and equipment purchases and repairs.  Listed essential nonfood items may be purchased with EFAP funds, but these purchases cannot exceed 10 percent of the allocation.

In administering food assistance program funding, the WSDA may not restrict the amount of funding provided to food banks that may be used for essential nonfood items, including diapers, feminine products, and hygiene products, to less than 25 percent of total funding.