A. Criteria

In choosing appropriate warehousing, consider the following:

· Companies and agencies already experienced in logistics with storage facilities available for loan or hire, such as port(s), railroads, agrobusinesses or commercial distributors

· Location and accessibility to rail, road, and sea or river, with ample space at warehouses for trucks to turn around and unload

· Location on high ground (if area floods) and terrain which is hard packed and does not become soft and muddy in rains

· Storage capacity in total square meters (See Determining Warehouse Capacities/Storage Plans below.)

· Structural layout and condition (roof, walls, fences)

· Security, including locks for doors; grates on windows; guards, if feasible and necessary. Warehouse compound should be enclosed by a security wall and, if possible, have perimeter lighting.

· Handling equipment, for main, large warehouses, e.g., forklifts, stacking conveyors

· Labor availability, both permanent and day labor for carrying bags or containers of food on and off stacks and performing reconstitution activities.