FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum provides clarification regarding households determined to be categorically eligible for FDPIR in accordance with provisions at sections 4300-4320 of Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Handbook 501.

This memorandum consolidates and clarifies select disaster/emergency policies and procedures applicable to the CSFP, the FDPIR and TEFAP.

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.

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement the revised threshold for conducting audits, as established in the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements.

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to provide further guidance and clarity on new donated food insurance requirements for state distributing agencies, subdistributing agencies, select commercial storage facilities, and recipient agencies that have agreements with the state distributing agency or subdistributing agency to store and distribute donated foods.

The 2014 Farm Bill established a Multi-Agency Taskforce to provide coordination and direction for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) foods administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). This second annual report to Congress describes the activities of the taskforce in 2015.

The Food Distribution Division at FNS is considering developing and delivering a nutrition paraprofessional training program for Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation staff within Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). 

Section 4004 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 required a study to determine the feasibility of Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) administering federal nutrition assistance programs in lieu of state agencies. This study presents broad general findings regarding tribal interest in administering nutrition assistance programs, ability to administer all or parts of these programs, and potential challenges.

 This is a new generic clearance that will allow FNS to quickly collect and analyze specific information from state and local administrators of the special nutrition programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Food Distribution on Indian Reservation, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides nutrition assistance to Tribal communities through the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The last nationally representative study of FDPIR was based on 1989 data. Since that time, there have been many changes in FDPIR affecting eligibility, warehouse operations and distribution, customer service, and improvements in the types and variety of products offered in the food package. This report provides an update of FDPIR participant characteristics and program operations, based on a nationally representative sample of participants and sites.