TDA distributed Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) funds to eligible Contracting Entities (CEs). These funds are exclusively to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed domestic food products where CEs have experienced unanticipated cancelation of food and supply contracts, reduced availability of certain foods, unexpected substitution of certain products, unpredictable increases in food and supply prices, and other obstacles related to pricing and/or availability. USDA expects that Round 4 funds, in addition to any unspent funds from the previous allocations will support operations in school year (SY) 2023-2024.
Public, charter, private nonprofit schools, and Resident Child Care Institutions (RCCIs), were eligible for SCA funding if they met the following criteria:
- Currently operate the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or School Breakfast Program (SBP).
- Have claim data for the calculation month chosen for each round.
- Encountered supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency; and
- Faced financial difficulties because of those supply chain disruptions.