FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum implements requirements under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and provides guidance to TEFAP state agencies on best practices to minimize food waste of privately donated foods provided to TEFAP state agencies and eligible recipient agencies. 

Section 4104 of the Farm Bill directs USDA to issue guidance to promote awareness of donations of apparently wholesome food by qualified direct donors protected under section 22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. This guidance only applies to privately donated foods provided to TEFAP state agencies and eligible recipient agencies  and is not applicable to USDA Foods provided through TEFAP.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 changes TEFAP state plan requirements and the TEFAP food funding formula.

This instruction establishes the general standards and procedures that the state distributing agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods, and conveys established responsibilities for other entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers.

Under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA is administering a Trade Mitigation Food Purchase and Distribution Program to purchase up to $1.2 billion in USDA Foods. The bulk of this food is being distributed through TEFAP, which is USDA’s primary outlet for foods purchased through market support mechanisms. 

Under the statutory authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the USDA is administering a Trade Mitigation Food Purchase and Distribution Program to purchase up to $1.2 billion in USDA Foods.

This memorandum is meant to provide clarification and guidance on policies and procedures for donated food storage and distribution as they relate to product dating.

This memorandum provides guidance on the distribution of USDA Foods under TEFAP to children through Kids Cafe, Backpack, or similar programs.

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify the federal requirements for record keeping and reporting in TEFAP.

This memorandum provides more information on the final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Promotion, published by USDA at 81 FR 92550.