Use of Usda Foods in Disaster Shelters

USE OF USDA FOODS IN DISASTER SHELTERS

When the President or other authorized official has declared a major disaster or a situation of distress, disaster organizations may request approval from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to receive USDA Foods for use in providing congregate meal service to disaster victims.

The Mass Care Coordinator (Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Division of Emergency Management) may request the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to provide USDA Foods to help support approved shelters. TDA may also provide additional USDA Foods from the TDA Food and Nutrition State Contracted Warehouses for use in the approved shelters.

Schools anywhere in the state may be called upon to open shelters to house and feed people impacted by a situation of distress or presidentially declared disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, flooding, etc.

This document contains information about procedures for schools that become authorized disaster feeding shelters and are approved by TDA to use USDA Foods (sometimes referred to as USDA commodities).

If there is a Presidential declaration or a situation of distress, shelters to house and/or provide meals to evacuees may be established. These shelters work with the state’s emergency response organizations, i.e., Salvation Army or the Red Cross, to become an approved shelter through the state’s mass care coordinator.

REQUST AND USE OF USDA FOODS IN AN APPROVED SHELTER

If schools choose to use USDA Foods to prepare the meals in an approved shelter, they will be credited the entitlement value of USDA Foods if the following occurs:

1.As School Districts begin to open shelters, please notify John Kyere at TDA via email: or at 512-475-0077 and advise him of shelters and shelter locations that will be opened.

2.If a district uses USDA Foods to provide meals, they must track and report the Quantity, Type of USDA Foods used, Material Numbers and Number of People Served to TDA within 30 days of shelter closing:

a.Quantity or amount of USDA Foods used is the number of Cases used.

b.Type of USDA Foods used is the USDA Foods Description.

c.Material Number can be found on the districts account in TX-UNPS.

d.Number of People Served

3.Within the 30 days of shelter closing, the Distribution Period must be reported as well. Please report to TDA the time period (dates) when USDA foods where used to assist in congregate feeding.

4.For more information on the use of USDA Foods during disaster, please utilize USDA’s FNS Disaster Manual at

Should you have any questions, please call John Kyere at 512-475-0077.

6/1/2015

TDA Disaster Feeding Procedures for Schools