The Child Nutrition Act (42 U.S. Code CHAPTER 13A) establishes the Federal Food Distribution Program which in Puerto Rico operates under the State Agency, Food and Nutrition Services of the Department of Education. The Program contributes to improving the diet of participating children and adults, it also seeks to help farmers from the U.S. by purchasing nutritious food to be used by the following programs:

• Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack Program
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

The Federal Food Distribution Program is made possible through an allocation of funds (“entitlement”). The Federal Department of Agriculture authorizes the Program’s funds that are used annually by the school authorities and eligible Institutions for the acquisition of Federal Food. Funding allocation is determined by a formula that multiplies the lunch rations served during the previous school year by the rate established by the USDA.

The foods to be purchased are selected from a Product Catalog issued by the USDA each year. Some of these foods are meats, cereals, fruits and vegetables, juices, grains, and dairy products. Federal Foods are available in several varieties such as fresh, packaged, frozen, dried, canned, and in bulk, depending on availability.

Program regulation:

7 CFR, Part 250, 251 and 252

Who can be a sponsor of the FDP? Or who can be sponsored by the FDP?

• Children and Adults participating in the aforementioned Food Programs administered by the State Agency, Food and Nutrition Services of the Department of Education.

Through which services can sponsors offer Federal Foods?

• They can offer the services of breakfast, lunch, and snacks as applicable.

Requirements:

• Be a participant in one of the following Programs for at least one year:
  • School Lunch Program (NSLP)
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
  • Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
• Adequate storage facilities
• Additional requirements when applying; together with the application, they must submit the following documents, as applicable:
  • Sanitary License and Certificate of Inspection (Department of Environmental Health)
  • Certificate of Tax Exemption and Negative Debt Certification from the Department of the Treasury
  • Certificate of Incorporation (establishing that it is a non-profit organization) and Certificate of “Good Standing” from the Department of State
  • Certificate of the General Council on Education
  • License from the Department of the Family
• Any additional requirement established by the State Agency, Food and Nutrition Services.