Description
Separate a supplied food-parcel component shortfall from surplus.
Food-assistance records track sources, quantities, vouchers, transfers and purchasing units. Nominal person-rations and whole-pack costs depend on supplied assumptions; they do not determine nutritional adequacy or legal entitlements. Returned quantities also do not establish that food can safely be redistributed.
Separate a supplied food-parcel component shortfall from surplus.
When to use this tool
Use Food Parcel Component Shortfall when checking the stated supplied assistance inventory, quantity or cost convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter requiredQuantity, availableQuantity. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read shortfall, surplus. Use the output convention below.
Require nonnegative required and available quantities. Return positive-part required-available shortfall and available-required surplus separately.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| requiredQuantity | Required Quantity | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| availableQuantity | Available Quantity | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| shortfall | Shortfall | Required. Finite number. |
| surplus | Surplus | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"requiredQuantity": 12,
"availableQuantity": 8
},
"output": {
"shortfall": 4,
"surplus": 0
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Both require a compatible quantity basis; this does not determine nutrition adequacy, household needs or an appropriate parcel composition.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified inventory and program records with qualified nutrition, food-safety and humanitarian professionals for actual dietary, distribution or benefit decisions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Food Voucher Redemption Balance
Calculate remaining voucher value after redemption and outward transfer.
- Food Bank Returned Lot Quantity
Calculate net issued food-lot quantity after subtracting returned quantity.