Transcript Biosecurity Guidelines for School Food Service

USDA COMMODITY PROGRAMS
UPDATE
Cathie McCullough, Director
Food Distribution Division, USDA
Legislative Action Conference, March 13, 2006
IMPROVING COMMODITIES
• Enhance the foods
available list to support the
nutritional needs of
recipients
• Improve customer appeal
of commodities
• Provide product packaging
that is appropriate, i.e.,
can size
IMPROVING COMMODITIES
Products are continually reviewed
to ensure they support the
“Dietary Guidelines for Americans”
Healthier offerings:
√ Tuna canned in water
√ Reduced fat bakery mix
√ 95% lean ham
√ Lower fat cheeses and oils
√ Canned fruits packed in juice or light syrup
√ Whole grain foods (wheat flour, brown rice, oats)
√ Ground beef with no more than 15% fat
IMPROVING COMMODITIES
To help meet the whole grain recommendation from the
2005 DGAs we are researching new product options
Currently Testing Exploring
Offer
In FY 07
Brown Rice

Noodles & Pasta
 Macaroni
 Spaghetti
 Instant Rice
 Rotini (spirals)
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Whole Wheat Flour
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Oats

IMPROVING COMMODITIES
We are also Exploring:
√ Reducing trans fats
√ Lowering sodium in canned
vegetables
√ Offering canned fruits only
in natural juices or
water
COMMODITY FACT SHEETS
& GUIDANCE
 We are updating our commodity
fact sheets—a long term project:
– Surveyed States and schools for their
feedback
– Adding commodity codes to current
fact sheets as an interim measure

We are also developing label guidance:
– Explains the new Federal label requirements for
trans fats and allergens
Commodity Food Network
(CFN)
www.commodityfoods.usda.gov
7
CFN Key Features
One-Stop Commodity Portal Gives
Instant Access to:
– Key Partner websites and links—e.g. AMS, FNS, FSA, FSIS, ACDA,
SNA, States, etc.
– Regulations, Public Laws, OMB Circulars, Forms, Fact Sheets,
Policy Memos
– Commodity Specifications, Commercial Item Descriptions,
Commodity Fact Sheets for Schools
– Foods Available List for All USDA Commodity Programs
– Food Safety & Recall Updates Issued by FSIS and FDA
– ECOS—USDA’s Electronic Commodity Ordering System
….. And More!
CFN Website Feedback
Let Us Know
What You Like
and
Don’t Like
REWRITE OF 7 CFR Part 250
• Publishing 3 separate proposed
rules covering different areas of
commodity program mgmt.:
– Food service mgmt. co’s
– Commodity processing
– Delivery, distribution, inventory,
claims, and other issues
• The reg. proposal process will
afford States, local agencies, &
others time to comment—we
welcome your comments!
BONUS COMMODITIES
Products offered to schools in 2005:
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Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Products
Apple Products
Dehydrated Potatoes
Peaches, Canned
Mixed Fruit, Canned
NFDM
Pudding
BONUS COMMODITIES
Products Offered to schools in 2006:
 Cherries, Frozen
 Sweet Potatoes
 Crushed Pineapple, Canned
 Dry Beans
DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
Program
DoD Fresh History
– 1994/95: $3.2 million pilot in 8 States
– 1996/97: use of Section 4 & 11 Federal funds
authorized
– 1998/99: FNS increased entitlement set aside
to $25 million
– Since 2002: Farm Bill requires $50 million of
entitlement to be spent annually through 2007
on fresh produce for schools using DoD
DoD Fresh Program
– DoD Fresh Program is an OPTION that
States may OFFER to schools (not
required to offer)
– The Program is intended to provide
SOME/MORE fresh produce for schools
– Section 4&11 funds MAY BE USED to
buy more DoD produce in addition to the
above entitlement purchases
DoD Today
– 48 States, DC, VI, PR, & Guam will participate in
SY 06-07
– About 25 States utilize Section 4 & 11 funds on
DoD Fresh
– SY 06-07 deliveries will be delayed until Sept 06
as FNS switches to fiscal year allocation system
DoD Changes
• DoD moving to Long-Term Contracts effective
October 2006
• Purchasing from local small businesses
whenever possible
• Schools will have 24/7 access to “TAP-IT” (webbased ordering system)
• Some DoD staff will remain in field to handle
customer support & complaint issues
ECOS
ECOS in review
4878 registered ECOS users
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State users - 606
Recipient agencies - 3,818
Industry (processors & warehouses) – 308
USDA users - 146
States using ECOS with their recipient agencies
 Recipients ordering in VA, CT, GA, NC, UT, FL, MD, NE,
KY
 Limited use in CA, MI, NY, TN, TX
ECOS Enhancements
 Rapid Alert System
– Provides quick communications for
potential food safety/biosecurity
emergencies
 Filter Delivery Dates for RA’s
– Closer to RAs receiving what they want
when they request it
 Consistent Unit of Measure
– Commodity that is delivered in cases will be
ordered in cases
ECOS Enhancements
 Shipment Receipt Function
– Large RAs/States/processors
receiving direct commodity shipments
can order and receipt thru ECOS
 Processor Access to Delivery Orders
– Processors have access to real-time
information on their commodity orders
and deliveries
Coming To ECOS…
 Multi-Food Ordering
 Refinements to Complaint
Module
 Online Processed End-Item
Ordering
Questions?