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USDA Foods Training & Resources

Training & resources for schools, childcares, distributors, and food banks provided by OGS Food Distribution
USDA Foods
List of Trainings
Training TopicTitleDescription
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) OverviewThis provides an overview of receiving USDA Foods with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and how to participate. 
Common WBSCM TasksHow to Register in WBSCMGuidance for new users registering for the Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system.
Common WBSCM TasksWBSCM New User Training RecapWBSCM New User Training video recapping the important upcoming 2022 – 23 School Year changes to Areas K, W, and H NSLP and CACFP program participants.
Common WBSCM TasksAreas K & W WBSCM New User Training FAQs for SY2022-23For SY2022-23. This document provides the most frequently asked questions gathered during the WBSCM New User Training and answers.
Common WBSCM TasksReference GuideA quick one page reference guide for common WBSCM topics, reports, and tasks.
Common WBSCM TasksRun a Requisition Status ReportProvides a list of all items requested by a school/childcare and provides order information for each item.  This report should be used by schools/childcares to monitor the USDA foods ordered and the status of each order. Schools/childcares should run this report bi-weekly.
See also Requisition Status Report Instructions (PDF).
Common WBSCM TasksWBSCM Reports Sales Order Status DefinitionsProvides the definition of each status that may appear under the ‘Sales Order Status’ column in reports run through WBSCM.
Common WBSCM TasksRun an Entitlement/Bonus Summary ReportProvides a summary of a school/Childcare’s beginning entitlement balance, remaining entitlement balance, DOD and/or Pilot program allocation, and bonuses for the current or previous school years.
See also Entitlement/Bonus Summary Report Instructions (PDF).
Common WBSCM TasksView Value of Commodities ReceivedProvides schools/childcares the value of all commodities received at their area distributor and/or warehouse.
See also Instructions for viewing Value of Commodities Received (PDF).
Common WBSCM TasksHow Order Bonus CommoditiesTraining for ordering Bonus Commodities.
See also How to Order Bonus Commodities (PDF)
Common WBSCM TasksHow to Remove Commodities from Ordering CartProvides steps for removing commodities added to the ordering cart when placing an order for USDA commodities in WBSCM.
Common WBSCM TasksHow to Request an Order Return (Modification)

Provides guidance for requesting an Order Return (modification) to a order that has been placed in WBSCM during the annual USDA Ordering Period during February-March.

Once the USDA Ordering Period has closed, Order Returns (Modifications) can no longer be done.

Common WBSCM TasksHow to Request RedistributionGuidance for submitting a request to OGS Food Distribution to redistribute USDA Direct Delivery (aka Brown Box) commodities that a school/childcare cannot accept.
Common WBSCM TasksHow to Request Redistribution (Kosher Coop – Area H Only)Guidance for submitting a request to OGS Food Distribution to redistribute USDA Direct Delivery (Kosher Brown Box) products that a school or childcare cannot accept by the delivery deadline (tbd).
Common WBSCM TasksWBSCM New User Registration VideoA video that explains how to complete registration in the Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system and eAuth.
Common WBSCM TasksWBSCM New User Registration GuideA guide that explains how to complete registration in the Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system and eAuth.
Common WBSCM TasksMultiple WBSCM Account Registration Job AidA guide that explains how to complete registration in the Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system and eAuth for users with multiple organizations (multiple schools/childcares).
Food Preference SurveyIntroduction & Overview (Part 1 of 3)This video provides an introduction and general overview of the Food Preference Survey.
Food Preference SurveyFood Preference Survey Work Sheet (Part 2 of 3)This video provides general guidance for completing the Food Preference Survey Worksheet.
Food Preference SurveySubmitting your Food Preference Survey Response (Part 3 of 3)This video provides general guidance for submitting your response to the Food Preference Survey to OGS USDA Food Distribution.
New Food Service DirectorReminders for Recipient Agencies Memo for Area A, C, D, E, F, G, J, & L for School Year 2023-24The purpose of this memo is to serve as a reminder regarding USDA Food deliveries and recommended best practices and procedures.
New Food Service DirectorReminders for Recipient Agencies Memo for Area K & W for School Year 2023-24The purpose of this memo is to serve as a reminder regarding USDA Food deliveries and recommended best practices and procedures.
New Food Service DirectorUSDA Foods in Schools for New Food Service DirectorsUSDA Foods in Schools training presented by OGS Food Distribution at the 2023 Managing your Child Nutrition Program training hosted by New York Education Department (NYSED) in Verona, NY. This training provides an overview of USDA Foods and updates. Recommended for new Food Service Directors.
New Food Service DirectorUSDA Foods 101 - 2023 NYSNA ConferenceUSDA Foods 101 training presented by OGS Food Distribution at the 2023 New York School Nutrition Association Conference. This training provides an overview of USDA Foods and updates. Recommended for new Food Service Directors.
New Food Service DirectorUSDA DoD Fresh Facebook Live

Webinar presented by the American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA).

This video provides new Food Service Directors with USDA Direct Delivery (aka Brown Box) program knowledge and insight from the perspective of schools, State Agencies, and Industry.

New Food Service DirectorUSDA Direct Diversion (aka Processing) Facebook Live

Webinar presented by the American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA).

This video provides new Food Service Directors with USDA Direct Diversion (aka Processing) program knowledge and insight from the perspective of schools, State Agencies, and Industry.

New Food Service DirectorNational School Lunch Program White Paper This White Paper explains the role of USDA Foods in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). 
Ordering USDA FoodsOrder My USDA Foods for Current School YearLearn about ordering for the current school year here! Including important due dates, the ordering worksheets, training schedule, and announcements. 
Ordering USDA FoodsUSDA Foods Ordering & Q & A for SY 2023-24Refresher training and Q & A training session for ordering USDA Foods.
Ordering USDA FoodsOrdering USDA Foods IntroductionThis training provides New York State schools and child cares participating in NSLP and CACFP programs, with guidance for completing the recommended ordering worksheets and placing their annual order for Direct Delivery (aka Brown Box) commodities and Direct Diversion (aka Processing) through the Web Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) website.
Ordering USDA FoodsDirect Delivery (aka Brown Box) Ordering Worksheet

This training provides schools and childcares participating in NSLP and CACFP with guidance for completing the ordering worksheet recommended prior to placing an order for Direct Delivery commodities. This worksheet assists schools and childcares in planning their orders and usage of their USDA Entitlement, including possible allocation to the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or Pilot Program.

Please note, CACFP participants are not eligible for the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or Direct Diversion.

Ordering USDA FoodsHow to Run the Entitlement/Bonus Summary Report in WBSCM

See also Entitlement/Bonus Summary Report PDF
NSLP Participants Only: To request an allocation of your USDA Entitlement to the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, please complete the OGS DoD Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KRMVD8H.

*Please note that the survey is open from the 1st to the 15th and the 16th to the 31st of each month. Requests submitted within those time frames will be completed within that two week period. Requests are not instant, so please do not submit multiple times if you do not see a change right away.

Ordering USDA FoodsDirect Diversion (aka Processing) Ordering Worksheet

This training provides schools (NSLP Only) guidance for completing the Direct Diversion worksheet prior to placing an order. This worksheet assists schools in planning their order.

Please note, CACFP participants are not eligible for the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or Direct Diversion.

Ordering USDA FoodsOrdering Direct Delivery (aka Brown Box)

This training provides schools and childcares (both NLSP and CACFP participants) with guidance for placing an order for Direct Delivery commodities.

Note: CACFP participants are not eligible for the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or Direct Diversion.

Ordering USDA FoodsHow to Run the Requisition Status Report in WBSCM

See also Requisition Status Report PDF
NSLP Participants Only: To request an allocation of your USDA Entitlement to the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, please complete the OGS DoD Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KRMVD8H

*Please note that the survey is open from the 1st to the 15th and the 16th to the 31st of each month. Requests submitted within those time frames will be completed within that two week period. Requests are not instant, so please do not submit multiple times if you do not see a change right away.

Ordering USDA FoodsOrdering Direct Diversion (aka Processing)

This training provides schools (NSLP participants only) guidance for placing an order for Direct Diversion.

Note: CACFP participants are not eligible for the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or Direct Diversion.

Ordering USDA FoodsDirect Delivery (aka Brown Box) Ordering Worksheet for Co-opThis training provides Co-op schools participating in NSLP with guidance for completing the ordering worksheet recommended prior to placing an order for Direct Delivery commodities. This worksheet assists schools in planning their orders and usage of their USDA Entitlement, including possible allocation to the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
Ordering USDA FoodsOrdering Direct Delivery (aka Brown Box) for Co-opOrdering USDA Foods – Ordering Direct Delivery (aka Brown Box), presented by NYS OGS Food Distribution. This training provides Co-op schools (NSLP) with guidance for placing an order for Direct Delivery commodities.
USDA Direct Diversion (Processing)Direct Diversion Process TimelineThis is a time of the Direct Diversion process.
USDA Direct Diversion (Processing)Which Processesors are in K12 and ProcessorLink?This will provide a list of processors in K12 and ProcessorLink.
USDA Direct Diversion (Processing)American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA) - Processing HandbookThis is a guide to USDA Foods for USDA Direct Diversion (Processing) from the American Distribution Association (ACDA). 
USDA Direct Diversion (Processing)Determine the Value - Does Processing Provide My School with the Best Value?This provides guidance for determining if USDA Direct Delivery (Processing) provides the best value for your school and explains Net Off Invoice (NOI), Fee-for-Service (FFS), and Rebate.
USDA DoD FreshIntroduction to the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable ProgramThis is an introduction training for the USDA DoD Fresh program. Recommended for New Food Service Directors and first-time users of the USDA DoD Fresh program. 
USDA DoD FreshHow to Order in FFAVORSThis video will walk you through how to place an order in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Order Receipting System (FFAVORS). 
USDA DoD FreshHow to Receipt in FFAVORSThis video will walk you through how to receipt in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Order Receipting System (FFAVORS). 
USDA DoD FreshHow to Run Reports in FFAVORSThis video will walk you through how to run various reports in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Order Receipting System (FFAVORS). This includes how to view your current fund balance, catalog, usage report, and budget balance sheet. 
USDA DoD FreshFFAVORS Customer Ordering ManualThe FFAVORS Customer Ordering Manual
USDA DoD FreshFFAVORS FAQ & TipsThis document is intended to supply answers to commonly asked questions about FFAVORS and Login.gov / eAuthentication access
USDA DoD Fresh & Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)Best Practices for the Use of the USDA DoD Fresh Program in the Summer Food Service ProgramIn this March 16, 2017, webinar, Blair Tucker-Gruchala, Janet West and Todd Griffith of the Food Distribution Division summarize how the USDA Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program operates, discuss Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) dollars, explain the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Order Receipt System (FFAVORS) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) tasks, and describe best practices for using USDA DoD Fresh in the SFSP.
USDA DoD FreshUSDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: The Basics for SchoolsThrough the USDA Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, USDA is able to offer schools a wider variety of fresh produce than would normally be available through the USDA Foods program. In this webinar, Blair Tucker-Gruchala of the FNS Food Distribution Division outlines the history of USDA DoD Fresh, how the program operates, the advantages of the program, and how to file a USDA DoD Fresh complaint.
USDA DoD FreshAbout the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable ProgramHistory and information about the current program.
USDA Foods RecallResponding to a Food RecallThis training provides guidance for how to respond in the event of a USDA Foods Recall
USDA FoodsUSDA Foods in Schools Ordering and Purchase Updates This webinar provided state agencies with information about USDA Foods ordering and procurement processes. It provided an overview of the USDA Foods ordering process, what happens behind the scenes when orders are submitted, information about procurement challenges USDA has faced resulting from supply chain issues, and strategies USDA is using to mitigate these issues.
USDA FoodsUSDA Foods Processing AgreementsAn overview of minimum requirements from the federal perspective, referencing the National Processing Agreements (NPA) for multi-State processors, State Participation Agreements (SPA), and State Processing Agreements for in-State Processors.
USDA FoodsUSDA Foods Strategic Ordering and Forecasting WebinarBest practices for planning, forecasting, and procurement of USDA Foods; Christie Meresse of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services discusses data and inventory analysis; and Elizabeth Gonzales of the Texas Department of Agriculture shares tips for planning and ordering.
USDA FoodsUSDA Foods Order Management Part 1: For Processors & Receiving OrganizationsInformation on the catalog and schedules, ship-to process, order review and monitoring, order changes and communication, and order receiving and receipting.
USDA FoodsUSDA Foods Order Management Part 2: For Processors & Receiving OrganizationsRecap of sales order receipting and the impact on the monthly performance report (MPR) as well as present information on inventory reconciliation at the national level and bond monitoring, covering the processor’s responsibility to monitor and to manage inbound orders and transfers, and providing an overview of State responsibilities and sweep procedures and tools for State reconciliation of MPRs.
USDA Pilot ProjectMy Pilot TrackerThis training walks you through how to utilize the OGS's My Pilot Tracker to help you track your USDA Pilot Project invoices throughout the school year. 
USDA Pilot ProjectUSDA Pilot Project OverviewThis section provides an overview of the USDA Pilot Project program and how to participate.