Reimbursement of Intra-State Transportation Costs During Disasters

During a Presidentially declared disaster/emergency, or during a situation of distress declared by a state or the Food and Nutrition Service (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.  

State requests for reimbursement of intra-state transportation costs should be submitted to the FNS Regional Office using a public voucher with appropriate justification and documentation attached.  The FNS Regional Office will review the documentation and, in turn, forward the information to the FNS Headquarters disaster coordinator for reimbursement.  

In the past, states have incurred significant costs to move USDA Foods to local disaster feeding sites within their borders.  Additionally, some states have had no clear source of funding to pay for such costs.  USDA's reimbursement of intra-state costs should help address these problems, and improve the ability of states to quickly support disaster feeding efforts when and where they are needed.  

Cathie McCullough
Director
Food Distribution Division