Guidance, Manuals, and Resources

Resources and information regarding the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution Program requirements and operations.

Guidance

FDP Management Bulletins
Food Distribution Program management bulletins organized by calendar year.

Proper Storage Temperatures for U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods
Information on storage temperatures and storage guidelines for U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods.

Information Alert: Irradiated Beef (Dated Mar-2005)
United States Department of Agriculture irradiated commodity ground beef.
Information Alert: Fruits and Grains (Dated Mar-2005)
Storage and handling of United States Department of Agriculture commodity dried fruits and grain products.

USDA Disaster Guidance
Food Distribution Program disaster assistance information and other federal links.

Disaster Feeding Guidance for School Food Service Using USDA Foods (PDF)
U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster feeding guidance for school food service using USDA foods.

Questions: Food Distribution Program | 916-324-7132

Last Reviewed: Friday, May 23, 2025

Related Content

Food Distribution
Information about United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food commodities, Department of Defense (DoD) fresh produce, distribution centers, and processing of USDA Foods.

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Key updates to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 such as fluid milk requirements, fluid milk substitutes, and dietary specifications for saturated fat.
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Competitive Foods Webinar Series 2026 will consist of five webinar trainings in February 2026.
Non-congregate Meal Service Options in Rural Areas (added 26-Jan-2026)
Provides guidance on rural non-congregate meal service options in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO), collectively referred to as the Summer Meal Programs (SMP). This MB supersedes MB.
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This management bulletin provides guidance on non-congregate meal service options in rural areas in the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option.
Civil Rights and Program Complaints (added 22-Jan-2026)
Information about filing a complaint for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).

CNP Civil Rights FAQ (added 22-Jan-2026)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers regarding civil rights compliance and complaints in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).
Civil Rights Compliance and Staff Responsibilities (added 22-Jan-2026)
These items relate to internal procedures, staff duties, and regulatory compliance.
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsor - 2026 (added 15-Jan-2026)
Summer Food Service Program Sponsors Survey for summer 2026.
Salad Bars in the School Nutrition Programs (added 15-Jan-2026)
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Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan (added 14-Jan-2026)
The Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan allows approved school food authorities to offer non-congregate meals to students fasting during Ramadan.