Department of Agriculture
Ken Givens, Commissioner

This section distributes USDA-purchased food to public and private schools, Emergency Food Assistance Program agencies, and non-profit charities.  These programs provide nutritious foods to children and low-income people while supporting American Agriculture.

In Program Year 2001-2002, over 37.5 million pounds of food valued at $27 million were ordered by the department for distribution throughout the state.

TDA also reimburses private schools and residential child care institutions for meals and milk served to children through the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs.

For more information, contact this service at (615) 837-5162.

Complaint Procedure

To file a complaint about a particular USDA product, program recipients should first contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Commodity Distribution Section by emailing Sheri Wright or by calling 615-837-5162.  Commodity Distribution staff will assist program recipients in gathering the information that will be helpful when filing the complaint with USDA.  More information about commodity complaints can be found at the USDA Commodity Complaint Hotline website.

• USDA Food Distribution Site
• Facts About USDA Commodities for Schools and Institutions
• Commodity Fact Sheets for TEFAP
• American Commodity Distribution Association
• USDA Team Nutrition