USDA Commodity processing agreements are bid through the RFP process and bids are awarded to over 20 USDA and OSPI approved manufacturers and processors. Currently, there are over 120 processed items using donated USDA Commodity products. As with the RFP for Food and Supplies, the combined volume in the RFP for Commodity Processing leverages PSJPC member opportunities for better pricing. Members take delivery of processed commodities either directly, to a cold storage facility or through the approved distributor.

Annually, PSJPC members have the opportunity to add new items to the “Master Basket” list. The process takes into consideration, product acceptance, annual/weekly volume, and overall nutritional content.  Any taste-testing for this supplemental process is held annually at the Commodity and New Products Show. Items with sufficient member commitments to purchase are considered for addition to the Market Basket list of items through a supplemental RFP process.

Collectively, the food service directors and managers of the member districts have hundreds of years of experience. This is a vast pool of resources and knowledge for each member to draw upon.  Several members are active on state and national levels in professional organizations and keep the group up to date on changes considered by the Washington State Legislature, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (School Nutrition), Congress, and USDA.