Food Inventories: Inventory Management of Federally Owned and Donated Surplus Foods
RCED-86-11
Published: Dec 05, 1985. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 1985.
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Highlights
In response to several congressional requests, GAO reviewed the Department of Agriculture (USDA), California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New York inventory management systems to determine whether: (1) the systems ensured that USDA-owned products and special distribution program products provided to the states were properly controlled; and (2) USDA minimized transportation and storage costs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Administrator, FNS, to require FNS regional offices to periodically evaluate and report on the states' inventory management systems to provide management with the information needed to determine whether the systems provide control over the receipt, disposal, and inventory of products at both the state and local levels. |
USDA issued regulations requiring a comprehensive monitoring program and advised its regional offices to periodically evaluate and report on state TEFAP.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Administrator, FNS, to require FNS regional offices to review the monthly inventory reports submitted to them by the states to ensure that data on TEFAP are reported and that inventory levels are related to normal usage. |
USDA issued regulations requiring the states to provide FNS with a monthly report specifying TEFAP product inventory levels and the amounts of products received and distributed.
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Topics
Agricultural productsDairy productsstate relationsFood programs for childrenFood relief programsFood servicesInternal controlsProgram evaluationProgram managementTransportation costsWarehouse facilities