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III. ELIGIBILITY/AGREEMENTS
A. School food authorities are eligible to participate in the food distribution
program if certain criteria are met. Those school food authorities that
are eligible to participate are listed below:
1. "School" - an educational unit of high school grade or under operating
under public or non-public ownership. The term "high school grade or under"
includes classes of primary or higher grade or when they are recognized
as part of the educational system in the State, regardless of whether
such pre-primary classes are conducted in a school having classes of primary
or higher grade. Additionally, schools must be in compliance with civil
rights requirements.
Refer to (Exhibit 1) for an example of the application/agreement for food
distribution program participation.
IV. AVAILABLE COMMODITIES
Schools are eligible for a certain dollar level of commodity assistance
based on the number of lunches served during the year (July 1 through
June 30) times the mandated rate of assistance. Commodities that are offered
to school food authorities against the dollar amount of their Commodity
Assessment Survey are considered entitlement foods. Other foods may be
offered to school food authorities for which there is no charge to the
school food authority's entitlement.. All foods are offered or made available
on a use without waste basis, and must be used within a six months time
period.
Some "Group A" items are occasionally offered as a limited bonus. Grain,
oils, and dairy foods are "Group B", although some of these foods (mainly
dairy products) may be classified in the bonus category.
The commodities that USDA purchases may very from time to time depending
on what food products are available. Because of the nutritional needs
of participants in programs such as child nutrition, USDA purchases and
makes available these types of commodities.
Commodities generally available for the National School Lunch Program
include frozen and canned meat and poultry; canned, fresh, and frozen
fruits; vegetables and juices; dairy products; cereals and grains; vegetable
oil and shortening; and peanut products.
USDA has been increasing the types of commodities available for distribution.
Today more than 50 different commodities are purchased for distribution
to the various food assistance programs.
All of the commodities that USDA purchases must be certified by the USDA's
inspection services to assure they meet established specifications. Specifications
for the quality of the commodities purchased are constantly updated. Recently,
revised specifications have reduced the fat, sugar and salt contents of
foods purchased. Updated specifications also improve the cooking quality
of the commodities purchased.
V. ALLOCATIONS AND ORDERING
Commodity allocation is a two-fold process. The Commodity Preference Survey
is provided to the school food authority by the state distribution agency.
Foods are made available based on the dollar level established.
A. Determination of Dollar Levels
Each year USDA provides the state distribution agency a dollar level of
entitlement. This entitlement is determined by multiplying the number
of reimbursable lunches served by the commodity assistance rate. The total
entitlement is divided into Group A and Group B. Generally, the total
entitlement is divided between Group A commodities and Group B commodities
based on the availability of items in each group.
Schools can elect to choose their entitlement percentage.
The per lunch entitlement is provided by Federal legislation. The computation
for each school food authority is based upon the number of lunches served
by each said agency. The number of lunches data is provided to food distribution
by the North Carolina Department of public Instruction, Child Nutrition
Section.
NOTE: Breakfast data is not included in this computation; however, commodities
may be used for this meal.
B. Making Foods Available
Commodities are purchased by USDA based on a number of factors such as:
market conditions, the amount, types and cost of foods available. Several
activities occur at the State and local levels in the allocation process.
These activities are discussed below:
1. Acceptability Report
NCDA&CS - FDD will survey schools on new products to get their input on
preferences.
C. Ordering Commodities (Exhibit)
1. Group "A" Foods
When USDA informs the state distribution agency of actual or estimated
quantities or specific Group A commodities expected to be made available,
the state distribution agency initially allocates the commodities to school
food authorities on a requested basis. NC 209 Reports are forwarded to
each school food authority monthly in order to inform them of what items
are delivered and to be delivered.
2. Group "B" Foods
Group B commodities are ordered on the basis of the Commodity Preference
Survey for each recipient agency.
3. No Charge Foods (BONUS)
Foods that are declared "Bonus", regardless of their prior classification,
will be pro-rated to all recipient agencies.
4. Right to Refuse
If the school food authority does not wish to receive the commodity allocated,
the school food authority may exercise their right to refuse. Please notify
your respective warehouse if you wish to refuse the commodity.