Storage and Shipping

Overview

The state of Utah uses a state warehouse to store USDA foods. USDA food is shipped from the USDA vendors to the state warehouse. SFAs can place monthly orders via CNPweb for USDA product at the state warehouse. Once monthly orders are submitted, the state warehouse prepares the order for pickup by US Foods. US Foods currently holds the freight contract with the state of Utah. US Foods delivers monthly orders SFA delivery sites throughout the state. Any unordered USDA food remains at the state warehouse until the next month’s order.

Costs

In the state of Utah, SFAs are not charged directly for storage or shipping of USDA food. This is a unique benefit for Utah SFAs. However, these fees are paid with state funds including liquor tax dollars. Most liquor tax money is given to SFAs, however the more money that is spent on storage and shipping fees, the less money will be available to SFAs. It is the responsibility of SFAs to utilize state resources wisely, so that shipping and storage fees are minimized. 

Using the Warehouse

The state warehouse is a great resource. Since USDA food is delivered in full truckload quantities, it would be impossible for most SFAs to receive USDA foods directly. The warehouse allows large truckload shipments to be separated into small quantities for each SFA. However, the warehouse is not intended to be used for long term storage. For example, State Download policy

states that any processed items brought into the state warehouse, must be ordered on the next available shipment. Similarly, SFAs are asked to take as much of their inventory out of the state warehouse as soon as they can. Remaining inventory clogs the warehouse, particularly the freezers, and makes it difficult for additional USDA foods to be accepted. If the state warehouse becomes too full, then USDA food trucks could be rejected. Please be considerate when making ordering decisions, so that you will not need to leave large quantities of food at the state warehouse for extended periods of time. 

Direct Shipments

For large SFAs, there is an option to accept USDA foods directly to their warehouse. SFAs must be able to accept at least 1/4 of a truckload to participate in Direct Shipments. For more information on Direct Shipments, please see the next page of this module. 

US Foods Freight

US Foods currently holds the freight contract with the state of Utah. When placing orders from the state warehouse, SFAs are required to order at least 20 cases. If smaller SFAs use less than 20 cases per month, they can order every other month. Please be considerate of freight costs and take larger shipments less often, rather than making frequent small orders. The Utah State Board of Education CNP realizes that smaller SFAs struggle with very limited storage, which is why the minimum shipment of 20 cases has been set so low.

When drivers come to deliver USDA food, it is the driver's responsibility to unload the truck. However, it is the SFAs responsibility to put goods away within their warehouses or storage rooms. The SFAs are also responsible for confirming that USDA food delivered matches USDA food ordered for that month and for reporting any differences to the state agency within 2 days of delivery. If your delivery location does not have a loading dock, you may be asked if the driver can use a hydraulic liftgate. This is costly, but may be necessary in some circumstances. Please read the handout below if your delivery location is without a loading dock. Download Hydraulic Liftgates

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