Federal officials will discontinue mass distribution of commodities in September, asking local food pantries to step up to the plate.

Saturday, August 26, 2000

Federal officials will discontinue mass distribution of commodities in September, asking local food pantries to step up to the plate.

"This policy recognizes the importance of charitable food distribution in order to get through crisis situations," said Tina Osso, executive director of Shared Harvest Foodbank in Fairfield.

Shared Harvest serves as the state’s and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s regional commodity distributor. Ms. Osso came to Ironton last week to discuss the USDA’s Sept. 30 distribution deadline.

Those lining up for commodities this month will receive information about where to go in upcoming months to receive commodities.

Basically, the government gives each state a percentage of surplus foods. Regional commodity and state officials determine the percentage each county gets based on an Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services formula.

Lawrence County receives about 3 percent of Shared Harvest’s 30 percent of state commodities – enough for about 1,900 people.

County commissioners and trustees have complained that the program is unfair because whoever gets in line first at the mass distribution centers gets all the commodities – regardless of need.

Those complaints likely joined others across the country as the USDA switched its commodity plan to one based on need.

"They no longer want mass distribution," Ms. Osso said, adding that the USDA wants food pantries, soup kitchens and non-profit corporations to handle future distribution.

"Food pantries will be the major distributor of USDA commodities," she said. "The point is that people who are in desperate need should have access to food."

Food pantries are in a better position to know who needs help, and how much help, she added.

The USDA also changed several commodity rules.

For example, clients no longer have to prove their income eligibility with any type of documents, unless the pantry requires it. They can self-declare they meet the income guidelines. And, the amount of food per family guidelines are now n the hands of pantry officials.

Food pantries or other officials also may decide to transport some commodities, as emergency foods, to senior citizens or homebound recipients, Ms. Osso said.

What’s happened is that, over the years, there has been less and less commodity food available, so things are changing, she said.

The government has decided that distributing to people who are in emergency need of groceries is best, Ms. Osso said.

"Commodities never did that before," she said. "It was just people who were eligible on the mass distribution list. So the whole mind set has changed in Washington."

Those who apply to distribute commodities, as well as current distributors, plan to provide further information about the commodity program changes.