This page provides guidance for CSFP agencies on reporting retroactive issuances of partial and full food packages and incomplete food packages to participants on the FNS-153 during the ongoing warehouse delivery delays.
In general, participation must be reported on the FNS-153 for the month in which the food package was intended to be distributed. USDA Foods issued must be reported in the month that they were actually distributed.
We understand these flexibilities may lead to reporting that is not consistent with prior years. We will provide technical assistance as needed to support state agencies in reporting the issuance of CSFP food packages, with the goal of participation and food package issuances being reported accurately in support of program integrity. We will also provide flexibility in reporting deadlines, as needed, to ensure you have the time needed to accurately report this information.
Partial Retroactive Distributions
Participation should be reported on the FNS-153 for the month in which the food package was intended to be distributed. USDA Foods issued must be reported in the month that they were actually distributed. This means that USDA Foods that have been approved for retroactive distribution and are distributed in the following month should be reported in the month they were actually distributed, while USDA Foods that were able to be distributed on time should be reported in the prior month.
For example, if a state agency requests a partial retroactive distribution for vegetables for the month of July and retroactively distributes those vegetables in August, the categories actually distributed in July should be reported on the July FNS-153 along with participation, and the retroactively distributed vegetables should be included on the August FNS-153. We request that you include a remark on the August FNS-153 indicating how many partial retroactive distributions occurred in that month.
Full Retroactive Distributions
Participation should be reported on the FNS-153 for the month in which the food package was intended to be distributed. USDA Foods issued should be reported in the month that they were actually distributed.
For example, if a full July food package was actually distributed to participants in August due to an approved retroactive distribution, the participation should be recorded on the July FNS-153 and the full food issuance should be reported on the August FNS-153. We request that you include a remark on the August FNS-153 indicating how many full retroactive distributions occurred in that month.
Incomplete Food Package
For incomplete food packages, you must count each participant receiving an incomplete food package, along with the foods distributed, on the FNS-153 in the month of distribution. You must receive approval from FNS before distributing incomplete food packages. If you have received approval to distribute the incomplete food package, you should report participation for those incomplete food package distributions as normal. We request that you include a remark on the FNS-153 indicating how many incomplete food package distributions occurred in that month.