USDA Foods Updates
TX-UNPS Ordering Round Update
Many schools have noticed several changes to their entitlement balances shown in the Weekly Commodity Bulletin. This is for two reasons:
1) As communicated earlier TDA has applied the new rate of assistance which resulted in less entitlement vs what was projected in the March ordering round. Schools will see that their initial entitlement balance has lowered due to this change.
2) TDA has updated all processing surveys in TX-UNPS to reflect what was charged against ordering for the School Year 24. Due to the significant carryover balance with processors, schools received a portion of their requests from the State Account. This means that you will see an increase in your processing reserved.
At this time, TDA has ordered all Processing Diversions for the state of Texas using analysis of usage vs demand from the schools and processors. TX-UNPS is now open for an additional opportunity to realize entitlement value through Direct Delivery (Brown Box) into your region’s state contracted warehouse. Please transfer your remaining entitlement balances from Processing Reserved so that you may utilize the current open surveys to request additional Direct Delivery USDA commodities.
Surplus USDA Foods at State Contracted Warehouses (as of August 2023)
USDA NSLP Update SY 2023-2024
For all participating DoD Fresh Program School Districts, Private Schools, Charter Schools, and Residential Child Care Institutions: Locally grown produce is highlighted in green and updated weekly in the FFAVORS ordering catalog. Please remember when placing orders to help support Homegrown and Healthy and the Texas Farm Fresh Challenge.
Non-Pilot Group – It’s not too late to participate to receive seasonal items: Watermelons, Pears, Apples, Oranges, and Grapefruits. Available delivery periods coincide with the servicing TDA Contracted Warehouse, for Regular, Direct Delivery (formerly called Brown Box cases). Please send email directly to commodityoperations@texasagriculture.gov for assistance with OPT in and help with survey requests.
Non-Pilot Group - Ensure that the SY 23-24 TX-UNPS Contract Packet “Contact Information” is up to date: Food Service Director, Ordering Contact, Billing Contact. The modify link is located to the left of each field to make easy updates.
Important Information for the New School Year
Click the headline to view information regarding SY 2023-2024 TX-UNPS Contract Packets; the Farm to School Survey; the DoD Fresh Program; SY2022-2023 Weekly Commodity Bulletin; and more.
The latest USDA Foods warehouse renewals and approved delivery rate schedules are available for all FDP regions. Click on the headline for more information. The USDA Foods NSLP warehouse renewal agreements and delivery rate/private storage fee schedules for School Year 2023-2024 are posted in www.squaremeals.org. To access, please click on this link. The information can be found under the Warehouse Information section for each FDP region (below the Regional Map). The rate schedules include the Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment. Click the headline for more information.