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Resource | Policy Memos Signature Block Removal from Summary End Product Data Schedules

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify state distributing agency (SDA) requirements related to approval of end product data schedules (EPDS) and summary end product data schedules (SEPDS) and provide an explanation for the removal of signature blocks from the SEPDS A and B templates.

12/02/2016
Resource | Policy Memos Value of USDA Donated Foods for Audits: Revised

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify the options available to state distributing agencies or recipient agencies in assigning value to USDA donated foods for audit purposes.

12/02/2016
Resource | Policy Memos Alternative Value Pass-Through System Pilot Project under the Department of Defense Fresh Program

The revised policy memo requires supplemental reporting from processors and requires state verification of credits provided by the processor to the SFA. Processors wishing to continue participation in the pilot will have to sign the attached revised NPA amendment to extend their participation in the pilot.

08/22/2016
Resource | Training and Outreach USDA Foods in the National School Lunch Program White Paper

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides cash reimbursement and USDA Foods for support of school meals.  This White Paper explains the role of USDA Foods in the National School Lunch Program.  

02/24/2016
Basic page 2016 Show Us Your Tray Contest Winner

 We received hundreds of submissions from schools throughout the United States, and USDA staff assessed each entry for use of USDA Foods, creativity, and overall photo quality. We enjoyed viewing the many worthy and inspiring photos, and narrowing them down to one winner was a difficult task!

02/15/2016
Resource | Policy Memos Substitution and Valuation of USDA Cheese

In November 2005, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued Policy Memorandum FD-049 to assist school food authorities (SFAs) in providing healthier options and a wider variety of cheese products for students. The policy memorandum permits processors to substitute cheese donated by the Department of Agriculture (i.e., USDA cheese) with other varieties of cheese produced for the commercial market.

11/20/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Approval of End Products and Monitoring of End Product Sales

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify a state distributing agency's (SDA) responsibilities regarding (1) the approval of end products for processing; and (2) monitoring of sales of such end products to school food authorities (SF A) in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) by reviewing a processor's monthly performance report.

11/07/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Offering School Food Authorities the Required Value and Variety of USDA Foods, and Efficient and Cost-Effective Distribution

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to provide direction and guidance to SDAs in order to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, and to make certain that all SFAs receive their planned assistance level and maximize their use of USDA Foods to meet the nutrition standards in the NSLP.

10/11/2012
Resource | Policy Memos Substitution of Donated Foods in Advance of Purchase and Negative Inventories

In accordance with 7 CFR 250.30(1), a processor may. in most cases, substitute Department of Agriculture (USDA) donated foods with commercially purchased foods of U.S. origin, and of equal or better quality in all USDA purchase specifications than the donated food. The substitution option permits processors to conduct their business efficiently and provide finished end products to school food authorities (SFAs) and other recipient agencies in a timely manner.

05/30/2012
Resource | Policy Soliciting Bids from Commercial Distributors for End Products

In this policy memorandum, we clarify that the SFA may, in some cases, include bids for procurement of end products in its solicitation for procurement of commercial food products from commercial distributors, rather than conduct two separate solicitations. 

02/13/2012
Page updated: October 14, 2021