Food Distribution Program

What If I Have A Complaint About A USDA Donated Food
That Arrives In A Commercial Label?

This school year, manufacturers that produce foods for USDA, which are distributed through the commodity distribution programs to schools and other outlets, will have the option of using their own commercial label, or they can continue to use the traditional USDA labels. This will mean that you may receive USDA donated foods in a label that is the same as those, which you have purchased commercially. For example, your USDA donated green beans may come in a Del Monte label.

When a school has a complaint about a product that is received in a commercial label, you, or your distributor, have the option of contacting the company directly to request a resolution to your problem. This may be the easiest option for you, particularly if you have purchased other foods from this manufacturer and already have a relationship established with the company. There is no reason that you should not contact the manufacturers directly when your product arrives in a commercial label and you know how to reach them.

However, if the product is in the traditional USDA label, or if you would prefer to request USDA to resolve the problem, you may continue to send your complaints to us to request a resolution. Some States prefer to have such complaints go through the State Distributing Agency (check with your State Agency), otherwise send them directly to the Food Distribution Division in one of the ways listed below:

1. Commodity Complaint Hotline: 1-800-446-6991
2. Email: commoditycomplaints@fns.usda.gov
3. Fax (703) 305-1410 or (703) 305-2420, or
4. Regular mail: US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Food Distribution Division, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302

You should provide the following information:

• A description of the problem
• Date the product was received
• Location of the product
• How much product is involved
• Contract number (may be stenciled on the outer carton)
• Notice to deliver number (ND)
• Delivery order number (D/O)

The ND and D/O may be on the paperwork you received with the commodity, or you can contact your State agency or warehouse to obtain it.

If you are seeking a replacement, you should keep the product until you have been notified what to do with it.