Food Distribution Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution or “USDA Foods” Program provides foods such as protein foods, fruit and vegetables, poultry and eggs, nuts, grains, oils and cheese to eligible Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Public and private schools, Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs), and approved state agencies that participate in the National School Lunch Program are eligible to receive foods purchased by USDA. Sponsors participating in the Simplified Summer Food Program (SSFP) may also receive USDA foods as well as some Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) institutions.

Advisory Council
The USDA Foods Advisory Council serves to assist the State Agency in decisions regarding USDA Foods. Council members help provide feedback and guidance for the state agency.

• Council Members
• Council Meeting Minutes

Entitlement Amounts
Entitlement amounts are based on LEAs Total Lunches Served (TLS) from the previous school year. The Planned Assistance Level (PAL) for SY 2014-15 is $0.2475 plus a 12% provision of $.0569 for a total rate of $.3044. SSFP sponsors receive entitlement based on 1.5 cents per meal served the previous summer and CACFP sponsors receive cash in lieu for USDA foods.

Food Distribution Resources

• What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl
• USDA Foods Toolkit
• USDA Food Fact Sheets
• Recipient Agency Handbook (ACDA Guide to USDA Foods for Recipient Agencies)

Food Safety – Holds/Recalls

• Current Recalls
• Food Recall Notifications from USDA
• Food Safety Notifications from the Food and Drug Administration
• WA Department of Health Food Recalls and Safety Alerts

Forms and Instructions

• Calculating Ordering Amounts Reference Sheet
• Delivery Discrepancy Instructions
• Food Distribution Complaint Form
• Invoice Instructions For Food Distribution
• Pick List Report Instructions
• Reclaiming USDA Foods Reference Sheet
• Sponsor Application Certification Instructions
• Sponsor Ordering Instructions
• Storage Facility Review
• Survey Request Report
• USDA Foods Survey Process Reference Sheet
• USDA User Authorization
• Value of Commodities Shipped 2013-14

DoD (Department of Defense) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
The DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program is an optional way to use entitlement funds. Dollars allocated can be used to purchase domestically grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will continue to offer the option of ordering fresh U.S. grown produce through the DoD’s prime vendor which remains Pacific Coast Produce.

Ordering Information

• CNP Web Log-in
• Order and Distribution Schedule SY 2014-15
• Storage and Handling Fee Schedule SY 2014-15
• Allocation Percentages

Processed USDA Foods by the State

• Nutrition Fact Sheets for State Processed Items

Program Updates

• Food Distribution Update: Proposed Rule
• Food Distribution Update: End of year update

The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).