USDA Foods:
Maximizing Your Financial
Resources
Julie Skolmowski, MPH, RD, SNS
Branch Chief, Program Support
Food Distribution Division
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
USDA Foods = Real Money
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SY14-15 effective entitlement rate is
$.30/meal
The value equates to 15-20% of total food
costs
Competitive purchasing process
Achieves economies of scale through
nationwide purchase volume
Benefits of USDA Foods
Healthy Choices- fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, lean meats and cheese, nuts/seeds, oils
Options provide flexibility to schools
100% American grown/processed/packaged
Stringent food safety, quality, nutrition
standards
School districts select items they want from
available options using entitlement dollars
USDA Foods Product Options
Direct Delivered
Bulk for Processing
DoD Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
USDA Foods Available List
How are ordering decisions made?
USDA
State
School
District
USDA Foods are a Good Value
Southwest Chicken
Rice Bowl
Ingredient
Rice, brown, dry
Corn, canned
Tomatoes, canned, diced
Pinto Beans, canned
100 svg
10.6 lbs
14.2 lbs
2 #10
2 #10
Whole wheat tortillas
Chicken, Fajita strips,
Reduced Fat Cheddar
Spices
5 lb
12.5 lbs
1.5 lbs
various
Total
Cost per entrée
Commercial
Price/ingredient
$4.52
$11.79
$8.60
$7.92
$19.86
$75.56
$3.55
$2.73
$134.53
$1.35
USDA Food
Value/ + dist
costs
$4.08
$8.19
$7.41
$5.26
$15.06
$27.37
$ 2.98
$2.73
$73.08
$0.74
USDA Foods Ordering Decisions
Analyze purchasing needs:
• Calculate annual usage
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Production Records
Distributor Velocity/Usage Reports
• Cost analysis
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Compare Bid Prices with USDA Food Value
Add in (processing), distribution &
administrative costs
USDA Foods Ordering Decisions
Schools should also consider:
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Menu plan
Student acceptability
Nutrient profiles
USDA Foods inventory levels
Food safety
Storage capacity
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USDA Foods Cost Analysis Tool
USDA Foods Cost Analysis Tool
http://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-foods/usda-foods-toolkit
USDA Foods: We’re Listening!
• Do you have concerns, ideas, suggestions, or success
stories to share about USDA Foods products?
• Let us know: USDAFoods@fns.usda.gov
Commercial Vendor
USDA Foods
Photos Courtesy of Santa Gertrudis ISD, Kingsville, TX
Questions?