Annual Forecast Pre-Order Survey

Annual Pre-Order (Forecast) Survey Toolkit

This toolkit is designed to provide support and resources when for completing the survey. Remember to complete the survey in the FDP link in CNPweb and be sure to verify the Department of Defense (DoD) allocation is correct, if applicable.

1. Annual Pre-order Forecast Survey Training
2. USDA Foods List of Materials and Pricing - IDOE Offerings
3. USDA Foods List of Materials and Pricing - USDA Full List
4. USDA Foods Available List for School Year 2023 - 2024
5. Processed USDA Foods and Associated Processors for Survey 2023-2024
6. USDA Foods Product Information Sheets for Direct Delivered Items
7. Annual Pre-order Survey Monthly Usage Worksheet
8. Annual Pre-order Survey Direct Delivered (Brown Box) Usage Worksheet
9. Annual Pre-order Survey Frequently Asked Questions
10. Processing Brokers and Manufacturers List

• About the Annual Pre-Order Survey
  • The SFA's menu is the heart of the school's operation and should be driving force when completing the survey.
  • The pre-order survey is the time when schools make direct delivered (brown box) and direct diverted (bulk products to a processor) requests for the following school year.
  • The survey is a "wishlist" of USDA Foods that schools request for the following school year.
  • The survey must be completed in order to participate in USDA Foods in Schools and the Food Distribution Program.
  • This survey helps IDOE determine the amount and which USDA Foods to order from USDA.
  • Both brown box and bulk products sent to processors are included on the same survey.
  • Pre-allocations for the entitlement funds diverted to the Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program are posted under the entitlement tab on the survey.

  • *This is a request not an order. There is no guarantee that USDA will buy or deliver items requested.
  • Items should not be menued until they are showing in the SFAs inventory.
• Annual Pre-Order Survey Schedule
  • December: Department of Defense Fresh Fruits and Vegetables entitlement diversion deadline.
  • Mid to Late January: The survey typically opens.
  • Mid to Late March: Survey typically closes.

  Once the survey closes, it cannot be reopened. The survey must be completed by the deadline.

• How to Qualify and Participate

  Schools:

  • Must be on the National School Lunch Program for at least one school year.
  • Cannot be vended or catered by a third party vendor.
  • Qualify if they contract with a Food Service Management Company (FSMC).

  To participate:

  • School Food Authorities must be set up on the Food Distribution Program in CNPweb and receive Planned Assisted Level (PAL) also known as entitlement.
  • The pre-order survey must be completed by all School Food Authorities in CNPweb.
  • Schools are encouraged to "spend" up to 102% of their allotted Planned Assistance Level (PAL) aka Entitlement dollars.
    • These dollars are based on total lunches served in the previous school year multiplied by the current per meal rate.
    • This rate differs from the child nutrition reimbursement rate.
• Annual Pre-order Survey Forms
  • Annual Pre-order Survey Usage by Item Worksheet (Brown Box) for SY22
  • Annual Pre-order Survey Monthly Usage Worksheet for SY22
  • List of USDA Foods Brown Box Items for SY22
  • List of USDA Foods Processed Items for SY22
  • USDA Foods Cost Analysis Tool
• Resources
  • List of Direct Delivered (Brown Box) Products for SY19-20
  • List of Processors by Product Code and Name
  • Processing Brokers and Companies Represented (Updated 02-28-2022)
  • USDA Material Pricing Files
  • USDA Foods Available List for SY23 - this list is based on ordering and menu trends
  • USDA Foods Materials List - this is USDA’s material pricing list for USDA Foods
• Annual Pre-Order Survey Training