Nebraska DHHS: Nebraska Food Distribution Program: FAQ

What is ADP? "Average daily participation" Is the average number of participants in your lunch program, 18 years and under, that were fed a countable meal on a daily basic during the previous school year as figured by Nebraska's Department of Education.

What is PAL? "Planned Assistance Level". Dollar amount guaranteed to be offered to your agency based on your ADP from meals turned into the Department of Education the previous school year. This amount is divided into "Committed" and "Non-Committed"

How is PAL figured? In July the USDA sets the reimbursement allowance per meal served ($.1725 for the school year 04-05). This rate is multiplied by your ADP and 175 days (Ave. number of school days) for schools or 250 days for child care, or 365 for year rounds. For example a school with a ADP of 150, their total PAL would be: .1725 x 150 x 175 = $4,529.00

When is my PAL updated? In December, we receive a report from Department of Education on ADP for July through November. We compare it what we have listed for each agency. If ADP changes 10% up or down, we make an adjustment to the agencies ADP, which makes a change in their PAL.

How do I figure cost of commodities? See Cost of Commodities

What do I do if the number of countable meals being served goes up or down? Figure the ADP for the last 3 months. If it has increased or decreased by 20% over what Nebraska Food Program has for your agency, request in writing an audit of your PAL, including all figures for those 3 months. We will review your information and make any necessary changes.

What is committed and non-committed PAL? Committed PAL is the dollar value of food requested by your agency from your processing survey. The processing survey is completed in April for the next school year. It is for process items of beef, pork, chicken and turkey. Non-committed PAL is "Total PAL" minus "Committed PAL". Committed PAL is always listed at the beginning of the offering sheet, designated with an *.

What is the Nebraska Food Distribution Program? The Nebraska Food Distribution Program was developed to allocate and distribute foods purchased by USDA. This program has two basic goals: (1) to safeguard the health of children and other recipients through better nutrition and (2) to feed the needy by supplying foods needed to continue the operation of feeding programs.

The Food Distribution Program requests USDA foods based on past usage data, surveys, and Nebraska’s entitlement. The processor delivers the USDA orders by rail or truck, directly to the State Food Distribution Warehouse Center. Recipient Agencies are informed of shipments and allocations by newsletters, offering sheets, email, and our web page.

Agencies eligible for USDA foods are schools, child/adult care feeding programs, nutrition programs for the elderly, charitable institutions, summer food service programs, and summer camps. The USDA foods may also be used for mass feeding during times of major disasters.

On offering sheet, what is a E or B item? This letter indicates the status of the commodity. E = Entitlement food, these foods are purchased with the current years entitlement dollars (PAL). The USDA value of these foods is subtracted from your agencies PAL. B = Bonus food, these foods are a one time purchase by the USDA as a price support measure. The USDA value of these foods is NOT subtracted from your agencies PAL.

What is the difference between PAL and entitlement? PAL and entitlement are the same thing.

Why on my August offering sheet is there no PAL listed? When the offering sheets for August deliveries are printed (late April) the USDA has not set the reimbursement allowance

Why does the Nebraska Food Distribution Program not deliver in September? The offering sheets would be sent out August 1st, most food service managers are not on duty at that time. We would have a low participation rate then.

How can I tell when a product has gone out of Condition? Is there a single date I can refer to? Experts disagree on how long a product can be kept in storage before it goes out of condition. There is no single date before which most products must be used, and after which they must not be used. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. The exception is infant formula. Infant formula and some baby foods are unique in that they absolutely must not be used after the "use-by" date that appears on the case and unit.

Some commercial products may display recommended quality dates. A "best-if-used-by" date means that the manufacturer recommends using the product by this date for the best flavor or quality. At some point after that date, the product will change very gradually in taste, color, texture, or nutrient content. But, the product may be wholesome and safe long after that date. You may also see a "sell-by" date on a food product. This means the manufacturer recommends that a store sell the product by that date. It is assumed that the product may then be stored for some period of time before it is used. Therefore, a "sell-by" date would be reached earlier in the life of a product than a "best-if-used-by" date. These various dating systems do not represent expiration dates, and they do not indicate when product safety becomes an issue.

Is Peanut Oil and Vegetable Oil the same thing? Vegetable oil can contain corn, cottonseed, soybean, sesame, canola, sunflower or safflower oil or a combination. Peanuts are not a vegetable, hence they will not be in vegetable oil.

What does an * in front of the foods listed mean? It designates the food as a committed process items. See "What is committed and non-committed PAL?"

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