Currently, the pilot has agreements with 30 manufacturers representing over 300 commercial products. Manufacturers of commercial products using poultry and group B commodities partner with Minnesota to design and implement the terms and conditions of the MN Pilot. Minnesota schools place annual order commitments for pilot approved commercial products via CLiCS, the State Agency website. State of Minnesota aggregates orders from all of the schools and communicates commodity orders to Manufacturers. State of Minnesota orders commodities from USDA and diverts to Manufacturers.
Manufacturers pay the State of Minnesota for commodity value of truckload.
Distributors provide commercial food products through normal channels to schools, at regular commercial product pricing. Schools apply for a rebate via CLiCS for purchasing the approved commercial products. State of Minnesota passes manufacturers commodity rebates to schools. Benefits to Schools Schools can purchase commercial food items that they already use and know students like. Schools can order and receive the quantity of food products they can use without bunching or delays.