United States
Department of
Agriculture
Food and
Nutrition
Service
3101 Park
Center Drive
Alexandria, VA
22302-1500
DATE:
October 28, 2005
SUBJECT:
Revised – Replacement of Commodities due to Natural Disasters
TO:
State Child Nutrition Directors
All States
State Distributing Agencies
All States
Regional Directors
Child Nutrition Programs
All Regions
This memorandum supersedes the October 19, 2005 memorandum on Replacement of
Commodities due to Natural Disasters. As published in the Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS) Commodity Program Disaster Manual, those States recently affected by the
natural disasters should follow the procedures outlined below to obtain replacements for
commodities lost or made unfit for consumption as a result of the disasters.
Commodities Used for Congregate Feeding and Household Distribution
FNS will replace all USDA commodities removed from inventory at the State or local
level that are used for approved disaster congregate feeding or FNS-approved household
distribution following a Presidentially declared disaster. The State agency is required to
submit a written request for replacement within 30 days of the end of the disaster,
although interim requests for replacement may be made.
Unfortunately, FNS does not have the authority or the resources, to replace non-USDA
commodities used for these purposes, nor to reimburse organizations for the other costs,
including labor costs, associated with commodity disaster feeding. We have sought such
authority; however, this is dependent on Congressional action.
Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) should be notified to maintain adequate records for
submission to their State Distributing Agency. The State Distributing Agency will report
to the State Office of Emergency Services, who will submit State claims to the Federal
Emergency Management Age