WBSCM Material Description and Number

CORN, YELLOW BAG-50 KG    100576
CORN, YELLOW BULK    100589

General Information

Corn is a staple grain available for food aid in bulk or bagged form. Corn is also a major feed grain; yellow corn is the appropriate food-grade product. It is planted in the spring and harvested between late summer and early fall and grown in most states with production concentrated in the Midwestern United States. For more information on corn in export programs, visit the United States Grains Council (http://www.grains.org/index.php/key-issues/food-security). When bagged, corn is packaged in 50-kilogram polypropylene woven bags whose fabric contains an inhibitor to resist ultraviolet absorption and an anti-skid coating. For full product specifications refer to the USDA Commodity Requirements Document for bagged grains.

Programming Guidance

Corn can be used in emergency and development settings if fortified flour/meals are not available as illustrated by the 2011 Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) Report decision trees:

• Emergencies: Corn may be used with a pulse and oil in the second phase of emergency food distribution. Either corn soy blend (CSB) or a ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF) should be added as a targeted supplement to this ration, for children under two (U2). In a longer-term emergency, corn may be provided in Food for Assets, Food for Work, Food for Training, as well as Vulnerable Group Feeding, and Food for Education programs
• Development: Corn may be used as part of a general household ration, along with a pulse and oil, where this is appropriate. Corn may also be provided in Food for Assets, Food for Work, Food for Training, Vulnerable Group Feeding, and for Food for Education programs.

Nutrition/Preparation Information

Yellow corn is a staple food and a preferred source of starch for consumers in Mexico, Central and South America. It is a good source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins and magnesium. It may be prepared by soaking 1 cup of corn in 3 1/2 cups water overnight and then boiling for approximately one hour. It may be further processed and milled into cornmeal for use in hot cereals, as a coating for frying, a meat extender, or made into pancakes, bread, muffins, cookies and desserts.

USDA Nutrient Database

From the USDA Nutrient Database 28 (http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/) search for:

Corn grain, yellow: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/6485

USDA Commodity Requirements Document

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/Comm-Operations/pdf/kcbg11.pdf

Shelf Life/Best if Used By Date (BUBD)

• Shelf Life - not available
• BUBD - not available. USDA FGIS Official Certificates With Crop Year Statement may be available as a substitute.

Sources

Montana Milling Inc. 2012. Products: Yellow Corn.  Montana Milling. Retrieved on September 30, 2016 from: http://www.montanamilling.com/index.php?page=yellow-corn

U.S. Grains Council. 2012. Key Issues: Food Security. Retrieved on September 30, 2016 from:  http://www.grains.org/index.php/key-issues/food-security

United States Department of Agriculture. 2016. Corn: Background.  USDA, Economic Research Service. Retrieved on September 30, 2016 from:  http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/corn/background.aspx

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2015. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page. Retrieved September 30, 2016 from: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/

United States Department of Agriculture. Farm Services Agency.  2015. USDA Commodity Requirements Document: KCBG11 Bagged Grains for Use in International Food Assistance Programs.  Retrieved September 30, 2016 from: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA-Public/usdafiles/Comm-Operations/pdf/kcbg11.pdf

Webb, P., B. Rogers, I. Rosenberg, N. Schlossman, C. Wanke, J. Bagriansky, K. Sadler, Q. Johnson, J. Tilahun, A. Reese Masterson, A. Narayan. 2011. Delivering Improved Nutrition: Recommendations for Changes to U.S. Food Aid Products and Programming. Retrieved September 30, 2016 from: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADZ842.pdf