Taking the Mystery Out of TEFAP. Rosie Krueger Child Nutrition Programs Vermont Agency of Education. Diversity & Inclusion

Transcription

1 Taking the Mystery Out of TEFAP Rosie Krueger Child Nutrition Programs Vermont Agency of Education

2 Today we will learn: What USDA Foods are What TEFAP is How Vermont s USDA Foods for TEFAP are selected How to make a complaint Who qualifies for TEFAP All about Civil Rights requirements How to take inventory and complete the distribution report How to properly store USDA Foods Who can help with future questions & concerns

3 What are USDA Foods?

4 What are USDA Foods? Foods purchased by the Federal Government Support American agriculture: USDA Foods are 100% American grown and processed Provide nutritious foods to populations in need: School Nutrition Programs Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

5 TEFAP Basics USDA Buys the Food Truckloads of Food are Delivered to the Foodbank Foodbank Distributes the Food to Food Pantries and Meal Sites Families Receive the Food

6 Two types of USDA Foods for TEFAP Entitlement USDA Foods Foods and delivery dates selected by the State and the VT Foodbank from a catalog of available foods Each product has an entitlement cost Vermont was entitled to receive $387,204 worth of entitlement foods during 2017 Bonus USDA Foods Purchased by USDA to clear market surpluses Specific items and delivery dates are chosen by USDA Foods are fair-shared to all 50 states and 5 territories State can take it or leave it we try to always take it! Sometimes cancelled at the last minute if market conditions change Vermont received $724,887 worth of bonus foods during 2017

7 2017 USDA Foods for Vermont January: Canned Cherries (B) Grape Juice (B) Orange Juice (B) Raisins (B) Fresh Whole Eggs (B) February: Raisins (B) Orange Juice (B) Chicken Drumsticks(B) Frozen Blueberries (B) Fresh White Eggs (B) Tomato Sauce(E) Peanut Butter (E) Egg Noodles (E) March: Orange Juice (B) Cranberry Juice (B) Milk 1% UHT (E) Cereal, Oat Circles (E) April: Cheese, Ched, Shred (B) Orange Juice (B) Raisins (B) Chicken Leg Qtrs (B) May: Grape Juice (B) Cheese, Ched, Shred (B) Spaghetti Sauce (E) Spaghetti (E) June: Fresh Apples (B) Milk 1% UHT (E) Cereal, Rice Crisp (E) July: Fig Pieces (B) Peanut Butter (E) Macaroni & Cheese (E) August: Cran. Juice Concen. (B) Diced Tomatos (E) Beef Stew (E) Orange = Entitlement (E) Green = Bonus (B) September: Applesauce, Can (B) Cranberry Sauce (B) Milk 1% UHT (E) Pork, Ham (E) October: Peaches, Canned (B) Raisins (B) Peanut Butter (E) November: Milk 1% UHT(E) Grape Fruit Juice (B) December: Blueberries, Wild, Frz (B) Fish, Alaska Pollock, Frz (B)

8 Catalog of Available Foods for Entitlement Ordering New for 2018: Frozen Split Breast Chicken All Purpose Flour White Whole Wheat Flour Planned for 2019: Alaska Pollock Fish Sticks Individual Portion Peanut Butter Fresh Oranges Fresh Sweet Potatoes

9 Cost of Entitlement Items

10 USDA Foods Fact Sheets

11 Complaints & Product Feedback USDA Complaints Hotline: Phone: , Monday - Friday 6:00AM - 5:00PM Info to Include: Description of the problem Photos of the problem Did anyone reported feeling sick or being injured from consuming the product? Brand or Manufacturer name Lots numbers, codes, or dates from the packaging When did you receive the product?

12 TEFAP Basics State & Foodbank Select Entitlement Foods USDA Buys the Food Truckloads of Food are Delivered to the Foodbank Foodbank Distributes the Food to Food Pantries and Meal Sites Families Receive the Food

13 Who gets USDA Foods through TEFAP? Food pantries distribute foods to eligible households Eligible Households = Earn less than 185% of Federal Poverty Level & live in the State of Vermont Recipients sign statement saying they are eligible Congregate Feeding Sites use USDA Foods to prepare meals No requirements for individuals who receive prepared meals at a congregate feeding site

14 Statement of Eligibility Households need to sign once per year Income guidelines update annually on July 1 Spanish version of the form is available on VT Foodbank website Keep for 3 years, plus current year Keep in a secure location Shred after 4 years

15 Civil Rights Requirements Poster displayed where public can see it Annual civil rights training for staff and volunteers Include USDA Non-Discrimination Statement in communication with public about TEFAP

16 Accommodations How will you assist clients with Limited English Proficiency? I Speak Statements Spanish Application is available How will you assist clients with disabilities?

17 Distribution Report Complete Monthly Save for 3 years, plus current year End of Month should match Start of Month for the following month

18 Distribution Report

19 Inventory Management Request more if you can use it Decline items that don t move quickly Don t stockpile food If a product is not good report it!

20 Food Storage Requirements Food should be stored on the floor or touching walls TEFAP Foods need to be separated from donated foods or clearly labeled Thermometers should be in all freezers, refrigerators and dry storage Record temps regularly 0 degrees F or below for freezers, degrees F for refrigerators Cleaning supplies & pesticides must be stored separately from foods Zero tolerance for rodents! Food should be rotated using First-In, First-Out TEFAP Foods should be distributed before their expiration or Best-If-Used-By dates If receiving too much food, decline or reduce the allocation

21 Questions? Rosie Krueger VT Agency of Education, Child Nutrition Programs Phone: Joe Dauscher Vermont Foodbank Phone: Bonnie Pease Vermont Foodbank Phone:

22 USDA Nondiscrimination Statement In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C ; (2) fax: (202) ; or (3) program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.