The ABC's of Your Order Blank
What do all those letters mean at the bottom of the order
blank such as "Original A Entitlement", etc? They indicate the group type of
commodity. It shows your level of entitlement for the year and also how much
has been spent year to date in each category.
Group A products are items such as canned fruits,
vegetables, and meat products.
Group B are grain, dairy, oils, shortening, and
peanut items.
Group C are bonus commodities. USDA purchases
these products as part of price support and surplus removal activities. Bonus
products are available in addition to your regular commodity entitlement.
Finally, there is Group D. This is the fresh
produce ordered through the Department of Defense Produce Buying Office (PBO)
in Denver.
On the order blank there is a column heading of “USDA
CODE”. The last alpha character indicates whether a product is a Group A, B or
C item. For example, Peaches, Canned has a USDA code of A408C. The commodity
code ends in a C, therefore it is a bonus product. Since fresh produce is
ordered through Denver PBO, no D products appear on the order blank.
Groups A, B and D represent your commodity entitlement
level for the year. Switching between A and B is allowable. You may also apply
any portion of your Group D money to Groups A and B. You can not transfer
additional dollars to the Group D (fresh produce) without receiving authority
from CANS.
In reviewing your year to date amount spent, remember not
to exceed the total of your Groups A, B and D.
The Group C entitlement level is an estimate of the
amount of bonus products that may (or may not) be available during the school
year. This group is over and above your regular entitlement level. For the
most part, these products can be ordered on an "As Needed Basis". You can
exceed (within reason) your dollar amount allocated for Group C. However, we
reserve the right to adjust quantities ordered for bonus items.
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