Food and Nutrition Programs

School Year 2024-2025 USDA Foods Warehouse Contract Award

On December 28, 2023, DESE posted an RFP for Warehouse Storage and Delivery Contracts for MA United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods for Schools for the school year 2024-2025. There were multiple responses to the bid and after careful review and consideration of each one, the new contract was awarded to Gold Star Foods, Inc. Gold Star Food's response was the most financially advantageous for not only our Recipient Agencies but also for DESE.

The current contracts with Gordon Food Service (GFS) and Hartford Provisions Company (HPC) will expire on June 30, 2024. The new contract will go into effect on July 1, 2024, and will cover all regions 1–4. Exact details will be shared once finalized.

In the meantime, please note these important dates:

• Wednesday, May 29: Brown Box product sweep for all products without a scheduled delivery
• Monday, June 3: Final First Come, First Serve for FY24
• Friday, June 14: Last day for Brown Box deliveries. No products will be allowed to remain in the warehouses after this date.
• Friday, June 28: Last day for DoD Fresh deliveries
• Friday, June 28: All unused Processing balances will be swept.

Note: Over the next few weeks, Gold Star Foods will be reaching out to RAs who allocated FY25 entitlement for Brown Box products to set up customer accounts with their company.

Please reach out if you have any questions.
USDA Foods Distribution Coordinator: Lucinda Ward, MEd, RD, SNS
Lucinda.a.ward@mass.gov 781-338-6466