Resource Roundup
Update to MyPlate and Discover the Start Simple with MyPlate App
MyPlate recently celebrated its 13th birthday! MyPlate replaced the Food Guide Pyramid in 2011, and can be customized to fit your dietary needs, preferences, cultural traditions, and budget ― so you can enjoy your favorite recipes and eat the healthy foods you love. Want to learn more about MyPlate and how it can help you enjoy healthier eating? Watch this short video or head over to the new MyPlate campaign hub. You can also use the Start Simple with MyPlate app to pick simple daily food goals, see real-time progress, and earn badges along the way. This easy-to-use app can help you make positive changes to achieve a healthier life overall.
USDA Foods are selected with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate in mind, ensuring program participants have access to healthy, nutritious foods from which to build their meals. We even design the Foods Available Lists to align with the food groups on MyPlate to make it easy for program operators to select a variety of foods to meet their clients’ needs. Check out the MyPlate resources and share them with program recipients to help them create healthy, delicious meals with their USDA Foods at home.
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Policy Corner
FNS Instruction 709-5: Newly Updated
On April 8th, 2024, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) jointly released a newly updated FNS Instruction 709-5, Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods, Rev. 4.
The FNS Instruction 709-5 establishes the general standards and procedures that the State Distributing Agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods and conveys established responsibilities for entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers. FNS and AMS jointly updated the Instruction to reflect Policy Memorandum FD-152: Discontinuance of the High Security Seal Requirement for USDA Foods Deliveries, the new National Multi-Food Warehouse contract, clarify and streamline program requirements, and ensure the best possible service to program partners.
FNS and AMS are committed to ongoing improvement of the Instruction and ensuring it meets the needs of our program partners. USDA welcomes comments from stakeholders on how it can be further improved over time by emailing SM.FN.709-5_Comments@usda.gov.
Revised Memoranda for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
On May 10, 2024, FNS published two revised policy memoranda:
These two policy memoranda describe flexibilities available in the operation of CSFP and TEFAP. FNS first released these memos in May 2020 to provide guidance on flexibilities to support program operators during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The flexibilities remain available to State and local agencies, as described in the revised memos.
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Technology Synopsis
eAuthentication (eAuth) Phase 2 Transition to Login.gov is LIVE as of March 25, 2024
The second phase of transitioning users from eAuth to Login.gov is now launched. Login.gov provides added security benefits of multi-factor authentication to protect your personal information. The final phase of transitioning users with existing eAuth accounts to Login.gov is targeted for the end of September 2024. Once fully implemented, Login.gov will be the mandatory method to access all USDA eAuth protected applications, including WBSCM. WBSCM public customers, vendors, and business partners will not be able to log into WBSCM with an eAuth account after end of September 2024.
As of March 26, 2024, each time an existing user logs in with an eAuth account, there will be an automatic reminder to switch to a Login.gov account.
 Login.gov will continue to be optional during this second phase, but it is highly recommended that users transition to Login.gov as soon as possible for added security benefits.
More information on this transition is available on the eAuth Frequently Asked Questions website.
WBSCM Training Homepage Highlight
The WBSCM training homepage has resources for new WBSCM users, training materials grouped by WBSCM roles, and easy access to frequently visited training materials.
Resources for New WBSCM Users
To access the trainings via the links below, first log into WBSCM.
- The WBSCM New User Registration Video Tutorial provides an overview of how to create a Login.gov ID and register a new WBSCM account to gain access to WBSCM.
- Once you have established WBSCM login credentials, begin by reviewing the new WBSCM Browser Settings and Helpful Tips job aid for Chrome-specific settings and other tips.
- Review the WBSCM Portal Navigation Video Tutorial for an overview of how to navigate and search within the WBSCM Portal. You may also review the WBSCM Portal Navigation Job Aid for information about WBSCM screen components, navigating transactions, advanced search options, and working with outputs such as reports and export files.
- The Working with Standard WBSCM Reports job aid provides detailed instructions on how to use standard reports in WBSCM.
- The WBSCM Terms and Acronyms Glossary provides a list of commonly used acronyms and terms with brief descriptions.
Training Materials Group by Roles
Access select training materials, by user role, from the WBSCM Help tab > Welcome page for the International Sales Orders, Electronic Invoicing, Domestic Requisition and Sales Order, and International Shipment E2E Visibility functions.
Frequently Visited Training Materials
Two important training materials are highlighted below. To access them via the links below, first log into WBSCM.
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WBSCM Existing User Login.gov Registration - This job aid reviews the steps necessary to convert an existing WBSCM eAuth account and register a Login.gov account to access WBSCM systems.
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WBSCM General Troubleshooting Tips - This job aid describes common issues encountered in WBSCM and includes (where possible) steps users can take to remediate them
To access the training homepage and the resources highlighted above, click the “Help” tab on WBSCM.
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