On April 8th, 2024, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) jointly released a newly updated FNS Instruction 709-5, Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods, Rev. 4.
The FNS Instruction 709-5 establishes the general standards and procedures that the State Distributing Agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods and conveys established responsibilities for entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers. FNS and AMS jointly updated the Instruction to reflect Policy Memorandum FD-152: Discontinuance of the High Security Seal Requirement for USDA Foods Deliveries, the new National Multi-Food Warehouse contract, clarify and streamline program requirements, and ensure the best possible service to program partners.
FNS and AMS are committed to ongoing improvement of the Instruction and ensuring it meets the needs of our program partners. USDA welcomes comments from stakeholders on how it can be further improved over time by emailing SM.FN.709-5_Comments@usda.gov.