Wisconsin USDA Foods Program
Overview
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers the Food Distribution Program (FDP). Through the FDP, USDA purchases foods to support American agriculture through direct appropriations from Congress. These USDA Foods are offered to participants of different nutrition assistance programs, such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).
For the USDA in Schools Program, State Distributing Agencies (SDAs) order USDA Foods for use by School Food Authorities (SFA) participating in NSLP. In Wisconsin, the NSLP USDA Foods Program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
USDA Foods are 100 percent American-grown foods. On average, USDA Foods make up 15 to 20 percent of the product served at participating SFAs/RAs in the form of beef, pork, fish, poultry, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and grain. Since USDA Foods are donated to SFAs, every dollar’s worth of USDA Foods used in a school menu frees up money that would otherwise be spent on commercial food purchases.
Resources
- USDA Foods: A Food Distribution Program In a Nutshell
- 7 CFR Part 250 - Donation of Foods for Use in the United States, Its Territories and Possessions and Areas Under Its Jurisdiction
- Policy and Procedures for the Wisconsin USDA Food Program
- New Food Service Directors: Getting Started with WI USDA Foods
Entitlement Spending Options
USDA gives Wisconsin an annual entitlement value (in dollars) to spend on USDA Foods. SFAs, or Recipient Agencies (RAs) receive their portion of entitlement value (in dollars) to spend on USDA Foods. See entitlement spending options by program below.
Other Programs
The DPI assists with the ordering, storage, and distribution of USDA Foods for these programs below.
