D. Food and Nutrition

11. Food Commodities

a. Nutritional Value of Food Commodities

Table III-11 lists the approximate nutritional values of various commodities. Note, however, that several of the commodities listed on the table are not available through Public Law (P.L.) 480 (the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act) Title II (Emergency and Private Assistance). If more information is desired on these commodities, contact the Office of Food for Peace (FFP).

Table III-11. Approximate Nutritional Value of Commodities
(per 100 g edible portion)

Commodity

Energy (kcal)

Protein (g)

Fat (g)

Cereals

Wheat

330

12.3

1.5

Wheat flour

350

11.5

1.5

Bulgur wheat

350

11.0

1.5

Maize

350

10.0

4.0

Maize meal

360

9.0

3.5

Sorghum

335

11.0

3.0

Rice

360

7.0

0.5

Rolled oats

380

13.0

7.0

Blended Foods

Instant corn-soya blend

365

12.2

4.0

Corn-soya blend

380

18.0

6.0

Wheat-soya blend

370

20.0

6.0

Soya-fortified bulgur wheat

350

17.0

1.5

Soya-fortified corn meal

360

13.0

1.5

Soya-fortified rolled oats

375

21.0

6.0

Soya-fortified wheat flour

360

16.0

1.3

Pulses

Dried peas and beans

335

22.0

1.5

Ground nuts

330

15.0

25.0

Milk, Cheese, and Eggs

Dried skim milk

360

36.0

1.0

Dried whole milk

500

26.0

27.0

Cheese

355

22.5

28.0

Dried eggs

575

45.5

43.5


Table III-11. Approximate Nutritional Value of Commodities
(per 100 g edible portion) (continued)

Commodity

Energy (kcal)

Protein (g)

Fat (g)


Meat and Fish

Canned meat

220

21.0

15.0

Dried salted fish

270

47.0

7.5

Canned fish in oil

305

22.0

24.0

Fish protein concentrate

390

75.0

10.0

Oils and Fats

Vegetable oil

885

0

100.0

Butter oil

860

0

98.0

Margarine

735

0

82.0

Edible fat

900

0

100.0

Fruits and Beverages

Dried fruit

270

4.0

0.5

Dates

245

2.0

0.5

Jam

265

0

0

Tea

0

0

0

Coffee

0

0

0

Miscellaneous

Sugar

400

0

0

Iodized salt

0

0

0

Pasta

365

12.5

1.2

Freeze-dried meat

480

65.0

25.0

Minestrone

500

22.5

27.0

Protein-enriched ration

450

16.7

15.5

Milk biscuits (whole milk)

470

23.4

10.4

Milk biscuits (skim milk)

375

24.0

1.5

High-energy protein biscuit

450

15.0

20.0

b. Food Aid Storage Requirements

If food aid is provided, it often must be stored at a warehouse and distributed as needed. This section is designed to help determine how much space is required for a given amount of food aid. The information needed is:

  • Size of daily ration.
  • Number of people to be fed.
  • Number of days of stock needed.
  • Volume of commodity.
  • Storage configuration at warehouse.


To illustrate, the amount of grain needed to provide a 60-day supply of a 400-g grain ration to feed a population of 1,000 people:

400 g/day x 1,000 people = 0.4 t (metric tons)

0.4 t per day x 60 days = 24 t

To determine the floor area needed, the volume of the commodity and the storage configuration at the warehouse are required. The volume of 1 t of grain is 1.5m3. If the grain will be stacked in 4-m high piles, the required floor area is:

1.5 m3 per t x 24 t = 36 m3
36 m3/4 m = 9 m2

The floor space must be increased by 20 percent to allow for access aisles and ventilation within the warehouse. Therefore, the total warehouse space needed is:

9 m2 x 1.2 = 10.8 m2

The FFP or OFDA Logistics can also help in determining storage needs.


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