Strengthening Food Assistance Programs through Content Analysis

Better Way Consulting used content analysis to assess policy and operational data for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in the Carolinas. This delivered actionable recommendations to enhance food security initiatives.

Better Way Consulting used content analysis to assess policy and operational data for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in the Carolinas. This delivered actionable recommendations to enhance food security initiatives.

Table of Contents:

• Client Overview

• The Goal

• The Methods

• Conclusion

Client Overview

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal initiative supporting food security by distributing essential commodities to food banks across the United States. Feeding the Carolinas wanted a comprehensive review of TEFAP’s policy landscape. Plus, they wanted to understand the successes and challenges in North and South Carolina.

Better Way Consulting conducted this research and ensured findings would guide actionable recommendations for program improvement.

The Goal

The main goal was to find the strengths and weaknesses of TEFAP’s operations in the Carolinas. We also aimed to suggest ways to improve the program’s effectiveness.

The project aimed to develop practical strategies for addressing food insecurity. We achieved this by examining TEFAP policy, operational practices, and feedback from food banks and partner agencies.

The Methods

To achieve a holistic understanding of TEFAP, Better Way Consulting implemented a multi-phase content and policy analysis approach:

• Policy and Content Analysis: We reviewed and analyzed federal USDA materials, state TEFAP manuals, procedural documents, client application forms, and relevant advocacy content. This initial analysis established a foundation for understanding TEFAP’s structure and informed the development of focus group guides.

• Partner Agency Interviews: We conducted interviews with four partner agency leaders—two from each state. The goal was to gather insight into their experiences with TEFAP processes such as client applications, storage, and logistics. Recurring themes from these interviews helped shape focused, relevant prompts for further discussions.

• Food Bank Focus Groups: Two focus groups, one in each state, included food bank staff responsible for TEFAP administration. Participants discussed key operational topics like state-specific policies, distribution logistics, commodity management, software use, and inter-agency relationships. This stage allowed for a deeper understanding of the program’s on-the-ground challenges and successes.

• Thematic Coding and Analysis: After focus groups, our team identified and prioritized recurring discussion themes through thematic coding. We evaluated each theme with direct participant quotes, relevance across food banks, and potential impact on TEFAP’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

At Better Way Consulting, our content analysis services empower organizations to make data-informed decisions that drive meaningful change. Through thorough analysis, we help clients like Feeding the Carolinas identify key strengths and pinpoint areas for growth. Our approach ensures that insights are clear, actionable, and tailored to meet specific organizational goals.
Whether it’s navigating complex program structures or enhancing community impact, we provide strategic clarity. This helps organizations optimize resources, strengthen initiatives, and achieve lasting results.