Illinois Commodity System Instructions - Annual Order - Access & Message Board

Oct 10, 2026

Illinois Commodity System Instructions explain how Illinois school nutrition program participants manage entitlement funds, place USDA Foods orders, allot funds to the Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh program, divert funds to processors, and monitor program updates. The guide covers system access requirements and user limits, describes the ICS message board as a communication channel, and outlines the annual ordering timeframe and key annual order options, including USDA Foods, DOD Fresh, and diversion to processor.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Access

Message Board

Annual Order

Annual Order Options

Annual Order Steps

Delivery Site(s) and Site Contact(s)

DOD Fresh Option

Diversion to Processor Option

USDA Foods Option

Additional Information

Bonus Order

Monthly USDA Foods Allocation

Delivery Request

Delivery Report

Contract Summary / PAL Tracking

Additional Resources

Illinois Commodity System Instructions Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Department 800.545.7892 or 217.782.2491 [www.isbe.net/nutrition](www.isbe.net/nutrition) [fdp@isbe.net](fdp@isbe.net) Illinois Commodity System Instructions Overview ............................................................................................................................. 1 Access ...................................................................................................................... 1 Message Board ........................................................................................................ 1 Annual Order ....................................................................................................................... 1 Contact Information ................................................................................................ 1 Delivery Site(s) and Site Contact(s) ......................................................................... 2 DOD Fresh Option ................................................................................................... 2 Diversion to Processor Option................................................................................. 3 USDA Foods Option ................................................................................................. 5 Additional Information ............................................................................................ 6 Bonus Order ........................................................................................................................ 6 Monthly USDA Foods Allocation ......................................................................................... 7 Delivery Request ..................................................................................................... 7 Delivery Report........................................................................................................ 8 Contract Summary / PAL Tracking ....................................................................................... 9 􀀛 Additional Resources • ISBE Food Distribution Program Website [https://www.isbe.net/Pages/School-Nutrition-Programs-Food-Distribution.aspx](https://www.isbe.net/Pages/School-Nutrition-Programs-Food-Distribution.aspx) • USDA Food Distribution Program Website [https://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-fis](https://www.fns.usda.gov/usda-fis) Overview Participants in the Food Distribution Program will use the Illinois Commodity System to manage entitlement funds, place USDA Foods orders, allot funds to the Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh program, divert funds to processors, and stay informed about the program. Please refer to the Food Distribution Program section of the School Nutrition Programs Handbook for detailed information about the Food Distribution Program. Access The Illinois Commodity System (ICS) is an online data system, accessible from ISBE’s Food Distribution Programs webpage at [https://www.isbe.net/Pages/School-Nutrition-Programs](https://www.isbe.net/Pages/School-Nutrition-Programs)Food-Distribution. aspx. ICS users need a login and password. New users must complete and submit the ICS New User Registration Form. The form must be signed by a district level administrator, approving access. School food authorities are limited to two users. Message Board The ICS message board is also the user’s ICS homepage. The message board is a means for ISBEto communicate with participants about important dates, upcoming events, food recalls, order timeframes, and much more. Please check the message board weekly. The right side of the ICS homepage contains a list of helpful links, allowing access to related systems and information, without having to leave ICS. Annual Order The annual order is generally placed in January, for the following school year, July 1 to June 30. The specific order period dates will be posted on the ICS

FAQs

What is the Illinois Commodity System (ICS) used for?

ICS is an online system used to manage entitlement funds, place USDA Foods orders, allot funds to the DOD Fresh program, divert funds to processors, and stay informed through program communications.

How do users access ICS and what are the restrictions?

ICS requires a login and password. New users must submit a registration form signed by a district-level administrator, and school food authorities are limited to two users.

When is the annual order generally placed and what options are available?

The annual order is generally placed in January for the school year running July 1 to June 30. School food authorities can choose USDA Foods, DOD Fresh, and/or diversion to processor as part of the annual order.

Oct 10, 2026

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