Finding 504881 (2024-101)

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Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
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Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-07

AI Summary

  • Issue: Meal boxes did not meet USDA guidelines, specifically including only two containers of meat, fish, and poultry instead of the required three.
  • Requirements Impacted: Non-compliance with CSFP menu requirements affects the integrity of food distribution.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Reinforce the importance of correct item assembly and implement a new control process for reviewing meal box contents.

Finding Text

Criteria: The USDA has specific guidelines which need to be followed when assembling meal boxes. The meal boxes need to be packed in accordance with the CSFP menu. Condition: For one month tested, the items included in the meal box did not agree to the CSFP menu requirements. Context: For one month tested, assembly included one instance where two containers of meat, fish and poultry were included in the box rather than the required three containers. Effect: As a result of the condition, boxes of food are not in accordance with USDA requirements. Cause: Due to the lack of review prior to the box being sealed. Recommendation: We recommend that the Company reinforce the importance of maintaining the correct food items in each container in line with the USDA Menu. Views of Responsible Officials: Management acknowledges the finding. Management has introduced a new control under which a member of the inventory management team creates a bill of materials for each order. The bill of materials is reviewed by the Inventory Analyst, with the Director of Inventory Management as backup.

Corrective Action Plan

USDA Food Distribution Criteria: The USDA has specific guidelines which need to be followed when assembling meal boxes. The meal boxes need to be packed in accordance with the CSFP menu. Condition: For one month tested, the items included in the meal box did not agree to the CSFP menu requirements. Context: For one month tested, assembly included one instance where two containers of meat, fish, and poultry were included in the box, rather than the required three containers. Effect: As a result of the condition, boxes of food are not in accordance with USDA requirements. Cause: Lack of review prior to the box being sealed. Recommendation: We recommend that the Company reinforce the importance of maintaining the correct food items in each container in line with the USDA menu. Contact: Bryan O'Connor. Corrective Actions Taken or Planned: Management has introduced a new control under which a member of the inventory management team creates a bill of materials for each order. The bill of materials is reviewed by the Inventory Analyst, with the Director of Inventory Management as backup.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.565 Commodity Supplemental Food Program $3.54M
10.568 Emergency Food Assistance Program (administrative Costs) $688,352
10.351 Rural Business Development Grant $305,715
10.331 Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program $215,083
10.177 Regional Food System Partnerships $169,022
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $21,094