FNS Documents & Resources

USDA Foods from Farm to Plate e-letters feature resources, news, and best practices, rotating our monthly focus between a general e-letter and a trio of program-specific e-letters: “Spotlight on Schools” for USDA Foods in the National School Lunch Program and other child nutrition programs, “Household Highlights” for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and “FDPIR Connection” for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. 

The FNS Handbook 501 provides Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and state agencies guidance on the administration of the food distribution program. The chapters within the handbook cover all aspects of the program including financial management, certification of households, food ordering, and inventory control.

FDPIR Monthly Distribution Guide Rates By Household Size, Effective December 1, 2019 (FNS Handbook 501, Exhibit O)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program allows schools to use USDA Foods entitlement dollars to buy fresh produce. The program is operated by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at the Department of Defense. In school year (SY) 1994-1995, the program began as a pilot in eight states; $3.2 million of produce was delivered to schools. Today, schools in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam participate in the program. USDA DoD Fresh allocations may be changed throughout the year and USDA does not impose a cap on the amount of entitlement used through this program.

The Integrated Food Management system (IFMS) includes the replacement of the Automated Inventory System (AIS) used in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Long range plans include combining the functions of the food ordering systems Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Order Receipt System (FFAVORS).

Data structures and elements, definitions, and examples of upload and download files are provided for the fulfillment functions within Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM).

The net monthly income standard for each household size is the sum of the applicable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) net monthly income standard and the applicable SNAP standard deduction.

Since 2008, FNS has been awarding funding for nutrition education projects through the Food Distribution Program Nutrition Education (FDPNE) grants each fiscal year. Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and state agencies that are current FDPIR allowance holders (have a direct agreement with FNS to administer FDPIR) are eligible to apply for funds to conduct projects that provide nutrition information and services to FDPIR participants.

This page includes links to all the Household USDA Foods Product Information Sheets for the Vegetable food group. 

This page  includes links to all the Household USDA Foods Product Information Sheets for the Oils food group.