USDA Foods Minimum Criteria
To be considered for purchase and inclusion on the USDA Foods Available Lists (FALs) products must meet the minimum criteria listed below.
- 100% grown and processed in the United States or its territories
USDA Foods programs support and strengthen American agriculture. All products and ingredients must be domestic, with limited exceptions (for more information on limited exceptions, please review the AMS Master Solicitation).
- Support the nutrition goals in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans
USDA Foods must align with the Dietary Guidelines and other relevant program requirements. For example, the Dietary Guidelines encourage a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy, and foods that are low in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and added sugar.
USDA Foods offered to schools must also align with the nutrition standards for school meals. For example, canned fruit products must be packed in 100% juice or extra light syrup and canned vegetables must be no salt added or low sodium.
- Produced by more than one vendor
We strive to purchase food products that are available from multiple vendors to encourage competitive pricing. We will not consider requests for sole source or niche products, or for prototypes developed with intent to launch a new product through USDA Foods. It is highly recommended that requests for consideration come from an industry group that can represent the industry as a whole and not directly from an individual supplier.
- Available in sufficient quantities
USDA Foods must be able to meet the nationwide needs of all programs. Items with a limited availability or capacity across all supplying vendors are not a good fit, as they result in unsuccessful solicitations, delayed, or cancelled deliveries, and disruptions in delivery of food to program recipients. Program operators rely on the USDA Foods ordered to meet the needs of their recipients. When these orders are cancelled or late, it impacts the program’s ability to supply food to individuals and families in need.
- Versatile to meet the needs of many different programs and localities
We seek to purchase foods that meet the needs of a diverse population. Items on the FAL should be commonly used and able to fit multiple applications. Foods that are used infrequently, in small quantities, or are not common in the commercial market are not appropriate. Certain products that meet cultural or regional needs, such as kosher, halal or traditional indigenous foods, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Have a manageable shelf life
Items with a shelf life of less than 60 days are a challenge for many ordering agencies due to receiving and stocking procedures, and are typically not a good fit for USDA Foods. Items with a shelf life of less than 60 days may be considered if there is a significant demand for the product.
- Documented demand in a similar program setting
USDA Foods programs use a demand driven system with purchases determined by program recipients. Orders are placed by state distributing agencies and Tribes, who are unlikely to purchase products that are unfamiliar to their program recipients. To ensure products are successful, USDA requires there be an established demand in a similar setting.
Products that are consistently purchased by school districts or food banks with regular sales volume are better fits for USDA Foods programs compared to products that have been supplied in very limited volumes. Vendors are encouraged to market new or infrequently used products to schools or food banks to establish commercial demand prior to being considered for USDA Foods. Vendors will be asked to provide documentation of demand for the product from schools or food banks. To demonstrate demand, vendors will need to provide actual annual sales volumes of each product in truckload quantities, broken out by state and by recipient (i.e., schools and/or food banks). Verbal or written confirmation of interest or intent to order is not sufficient to demonstrate demand.
- Produced by a responsible entity
Vendors must be approved to sell products to USDA and need to demonstrate their responsibility using experience and past performance in a commercial or governmental setting. We will not be the first or the only customer for a product. Vendors must also demonstrate financial solvency and a capacity to meet contract requirements for quality, timeliness, and quantity. For additional information, see the Federal Acquisition Regulation 9.104-1.