Product Lists, Values, and Fees

For School Food Authorities (SFAs) receiving USDA foods through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), below is accounting and financial aspects related to ordering and receiving of USDA foods. On average, USDA Foods make up 15 to 20 percent of the products served, translating to significant savings on school meals budgets. For budgeting, SFAs may find “the 20% rule” useful - on average, entitlement should absorb 20% of the SFA’s food budget. SFAs do not pay for the value of the donated USDA Foods ordered. It is important that SFAs understand the value and fees associated with USDA Foods and compare costs to commercial options to receive the best value from USDA Foods.

SFAs are given an annual entitlement value balance (in dollars) to spend on USDA Foods. The amount of entitlement SFAs receive is based on the number of reimbursable lunches served in the previous school year.

USDA releases initial USDA Foods product values in advance of the annual order. SFAs spend down their entitlement balance by ordering USDA Foods products in the WI USDA Foods Ordering System.

Product Lists, Entitlement Values, and Handling Fees -  USDA Foods product values are from December 2024. In March 2026, DPI will post the updated weighted average entitlement values for the CARS report from actual USDA Foods prices for end of year bookkeeping and program evaluation.

Depending on the product and the type of delivery, USDA Foods fees may include administrative, processing, storage, and delivery fees. SFA’s fees are automatically deducted from the NSLP Claim as “Commodity Charges Recovered” in the Wisconsin Child Nutrition Online Services system. 

 

USDA DoD Fresh Produce Program

USDA Direct Delivery (Brown Box) Products

State Processed Products (C-Codes)

Direct Diversion and Cheese Processing Programs