Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Food Distribution

Information about U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods, Department of Defense (DoD) fresh produce, distribution centers, and processing of USDA Foods.

General Information | Forms, Guidance and Resources | Training | Related Links

General Information

USDA Foods Processing Program
Information regarding processing USDA Foods into more usable end products.

USDA Foods Program Information
Information regarding USDA Foods for participants on the National School Lunch and Summer Food Programs.

DoD Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
Information regarding Department of Defense fresh produce available to participants in the National School Lunch Program.

The Unprocessed Fruit and Vegetable Pilot
Information regarding the Pilot Project for the Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables available to participants of the National School Lunch Program.

Distribution Centers
Information regarding the Pomona and Sacramento state-operated distribution centers.

Forms, Guidance and Resources

USDA Foods Forms
Forms and sample forms for use by USDA Foods recipients.

Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
Resources and information regarding the USDA Food Distribution Program requirements and operations.

Food Hold and Recall Resources
Information and guidance regarding holds and recalls of USDA Foods and commercially purchased foods, and food safety information.

Training

Recorded WebinarsExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Food Distribution Program Webinars provided by the California Department of Education (CDE) on topics related to the USDA Foods program including USDA Foods processing, program participation, and ordering USDA Foods.

USDA Webinars and TrainingExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Recorded Webinars and trainings provided by the USDA related to USDA Foods and the Food Distribution Program.

The Institute of Child Nutrition E-Learning PortalExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Recorded trainings provided by the Institute of Child Nutrition including topics related to USDA Foods and the Food Distribution Program.

Related Links

USDA Foods in the National School Lunch Program White PaperExternal link opens in new window or tab.
An overview of how USDA Foods are provided to the National School Lunch Program.

California Department of Public Health Food RecallsExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Information regarding food recalls, retail distribution lists, and links to other food recall information.

Government RecallsExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Online resource for recalls and food safety information.

USDA Recipes for SchoolsExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Quantity recipes for school food service. Recipes have been standardized, edited for consistency, and updated with Critical Control Point information.

Recipes for School Nutrition ProgramsExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Find quantity recipes featuring fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that kids will love to see on the menu!

USDA Food and Nutrition Service NewsroomExternal link opens in new window or tab.
Current news and information from USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

American Commodity Distribution AssociationExternal link opens in new window or tab.
A resource for USDA Foods information for recipient agencies, processors, and government agencies.

Outside Links for Food Service Personnel and Educators
Links and reliable resources related to increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in schools.

Contact Us

To reach a member of the Food Distribution Program office, please email FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov.

Food Distribution Program Email Alerts

If you would like to receive information related to the Food Distribution Program including newsletters, food alerts, and training opportunities, subscribe to the Food Distribution Program email list by sending a "blank" message to join-fdp-web@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

If you would like to unsubscribe from the Food Distribution Program email list, send a "blank" message to unsubscribe-fdp-web@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

 

Follow @CDENutrition on Twitter.

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, June 05, 2024
Related Content
  • Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
    Resources and information regarding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution Program requirements and operations.
  • Nutrition
    Resources and information related to child nutrition, nutrition education, food distribution programs, and the Child Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Council.
  • USDA Foods Program Information
    Information regarding U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods for participants of the National School Lunch and Summer Food Programs.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • CNAC Minutes for the November 2, 2023 Meeting (added 31-Jul-2025)
    Meeting minutes for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) on November 2, 2023.
  • Next Steps: 2025–26 FFVP Grant Recipients (added 30-Jul-2025)
    On July 28, 2025, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2025–26 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2025–September 30, 2025.
  • Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ground Beef (added 30-Jul-2025)
    Ada Valley Meat Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
  • 2025–26 FFVP Grant Recipient Announcement (added 29-Jul-2025)
    On July 28, 2025, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2025–26 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2025–September 30, 2025.
  • CEP Application and Mandatory P2 Base Year Review (added 28-Jul-2025)
    Provides guidance to school food authorities on how to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision and on the mandatory review of the Provision 2 base year.

  • Appeal Process for Grants (added 24-Jul-2025)
    This web page provides and overview and timeline for the appeal process for grants in California associated with the Child Nutrition Programs administered by the California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division.
  • Mandatory Review of Provision 2 Base Year (added 23-Jul-2025)
    This management bulletin provides guidance regarding the mandated review of school food authorities participating in Provision 2.
  • Noncongregate Waivers for Unanticipated Closures (added 23-Jul-2025)
    Noncongregate Waivers for Unanticipated School Closures SY 2025-26
  • California Agriculture in the Classroom Conference (added 21-Jul-2025)
    Join California Agriculture in the Classroom at the 38th Annual Agriculture in the Classroom Conference to gain hands-on tools, resources, and inspiration to integrate agriculture into every subject.
  • Food Safety Inspection for School Year 2024–25 (added 15-Jul-2025)
    LEAs participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must complete the SY 2024-25 Food Safety Inspection Survey.