Community Food Distribution Centers (CFDCs): A Practical Solution to EBT Fraud and Food Insecurity

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Community Food Distribution Centers (CFDCs): A Practical Solution to
EBT Fraud and Food Insecurity
Author: Michelle Gamble, (c)2025


Purpose: This brief proposes a new model for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP/EBT) to reduce fraud, improve nutrition, and strengthen community
engagement through Community Food Distribution Centers (CFDCs).


EBT/SNAP fraud and poor nutritional outcomes are ongoing challenges in public assistance
programs. This concept replaces or supplements traditional EBT cards with direct weekly food
boxes, distributed through CFDCs that partner with local farms and food banks. Each
participant receives healthy, prepackaged foods based on weekly menus designed by
nutritionists. Recipients fulfill their work-hour requirements by helping at these
centers—packing boxes, managing logistics, or teaching nutrition classes. The model restores
integrity, promotes wellness, and rebuilds community trust.


Core Goals:
1 Eliminate SNAP/EBT trafficking and resale by providing food directly, not cash-equivalent
cards.
2 Improve public health through mandatory nutrition education and weekly menus built
around fresh, whole foods.
3 Create community engagement and job pathways by converting work-requirement hours
into meaningful service.
4 Support local economies by sourcing foods from nearby farms, co-ops, and small
producers.
5 Restore dignity to recipients by making them active participants in feeding their
community.

Implementation Plan:
1. Pilot Launch: Begin in one county with strong food bank infrastructure.
2. Menu Design: Work with local dietitians to set rotating weekly menus, allowing limited
swaps for allergies or preferences.
3. Operations: Recipients fulfill work-hour requirements by assisting in packaging, inventory,
deliveries, and education.
4. Distribution: Utilize existing cold-chain infrastructure and volunteer networks.
5. Evaluation: Measure fraud reduction, health outcomes, and community satisfaction within
six months.

Expected Benefits:
1 Fraud reduction of up to 90% by removing cash-convertible benefits.
2 Improved dietary outcomes and reduced obesity/diabetes risk.
3 Lower long-term healthcare costs through preventive nutrition.
4 Local job creation and skill-building opportunities.
5 Increased public confidence in welfare systems through transparency and accountability.
 

Conclusion:
The CFDC model aligns compassion with accountability. It modernizes food assistance by
prioritizing health, integrity, and community. This system can be implemented using existing
infrastructure and redirected fraud-prevention funds, offering a practical and transformative
step forward in social welfare policy

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