FNS Documents & Resources

This agreement sets out the requirements for administering the child nutrition programs and the food distribution programs.

This manual contains important information for persons in FNS headquarters, FNS regional offices, and distributing agencies, which include state distributing agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations that are charged with the responsibility of providing USDA Foods to disaster relief organizations in the event of a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress.

FNS Form 292A is to be used to report Commodity Distribution for Disaster Relief. 

FNS is cancelling Policy Memoranda FD-010, FD-027, FD-028, FD-029, FD-032, FD-053, FD-055, FD-071, FD-073, FD-074, FD-083, FD-086, FD-087, FD-090, FD-105, and FD-115. The guidance provided by these memoranda are either outdated, obsolete, or otherwise captured in more current memoranda.

The purpose of this memorandum is to outline the procedures for each food distribution program in addressing organizations that have lost tax-exempt status for failing to meet IRS filing requirements.

This policy memorandum consolidates requirements for the SDA when reporting the distribution of donated foods, and when requesting the replacement of such foods, in disasters, emergencies and situations of distress. 

This policy memorandum is the result of activities undertaken to plan a government-wide response to a potential human pandemic and addresses the operation of its USDA food programs during a major pandemic event. 

During a Presidentially declared disaster/emergency, or during a situation of distress declared by a state or FNS, the state may find it necessary to transport USDA Foods from one area within the state to another in support of disaster feeding efforts.  These intra-state transportation costs will be reimbursed by FNS during a Presidentially declared disaster/emergency, and reimbursed by FNS to the extent funds are available during situations of distress.  

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 allows children to be certified as eligible for free meals under the NSLP and the SBP based on participation in other programs authorized under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended. No further application by the child’s household is necessary.

State agencies apply for reimbursement using Form FSA-21, submitted to the appropriate FNS regional office for approval.