(a) The Department of Agriculture is designated as the state agency to:

1. (1) Receive food donated by the United States Department of Agriculture, other federal or state agencies, corporations, private persons or entities;
2. (2) Receive payments for storage and distribution of the donated food;
3. (3) Distribute the food to educational or charitable institutions;
4. (4) Allocate funds received relating to the donated food; and
5. (5) Enter into agreements and take other actions necessary to exercise the authority provided in this article.