Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

FDP GIS 1: Deadline for Application


Nutrition Services Division

Programs: Food Distribution Program

Date: July 2017

Subject: Deadline for Application to Become an Approved U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods Processor


This General Information Sheet provides information for processing companies that are interested in being approved by the Food Distribution Program (FDP) to process U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods for agencies in California.

Any new processor inquiring about approval for the current school year must submit a completed application packet between March of the previous school year and November of the current school year.

If the FDP receives an inquiry from a prospective processor after November 1, FDP staff will direct the processor to defer its application until the next school year. The processor should provide its email address and contact information so the FDP can send application materials to the processor for the next school year.

The FDP sends renewal application materials to processors annually in March for approval for the next school year (July 1 through June 30).

For assistance and further information regarding this subject, please contact the Food Distribution Program Office by phone at 916-324-7132 or by email at FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | 916-324-7132
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, November 05, 2025
Related Content
  • Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
    Resources and information regarding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution Program requirements and operations.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • 2026–27 FFVP Grant Recipient Announcement (added 31-Jul-2026)
    On July 30, 2026, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2026–27 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2026–September 30, 2026.
  • Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule--Revised (added 29-Jul-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-03-2026: The Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule (Revised) provides additional information explaining the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's local school wellness policy requirements.
  • Competitive Food and Beverages Definition of Sold (added 29-Jul-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-28-2014, AB 626 (Skinner), EC 49430(f): Competitive foods and beverages: implementing the definition sold.
  • Farm to Summer Celebration Week 2026: Post-Survey (added 17-Jul-2026)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes SMP operators who complete the three key elements during the F2Summer Celebration Week: 1) Taste, 2) Teach, and 3) Connect.
  • Powering Up with Plant-based Menus and Marketing (added 16-Jul-2026)
    The School Nutrition Programs Powering Up with Plant-based Menus and Marketing online training.