As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) "Department" means the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

(2) "Emergency food provider" means a nonprofit, charitable organization that offers groceries or meals to people who are in need of food assistance and who reside in this state.

(3) "Program" means the Georgia State Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) created by this chapter.

(4) "Program participant" means an individual or household which is in need of short-term food assistance to supplement the diet in order to prevent hunger or malnutrition, or both.

(5) "Regional food bank" means an established nonprofit charitable organization which is qualified as exempt from taxation under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and which, as part of an existing food bank network, maintains a food distribution operation providing food to nonprofit food pantries and feeding centers that offer groceries or meals to people in need of food assistance.

(6) "State nutrition information organization" means an established nonprofit charitable organization which is qualified as exempt from taxation under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and which, as part of its mission, fosters and promotes general health through nutrition education of the public.