Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

USDA Foods Program Information

Information regarding U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods for participants of the National School Lunch and Summer Food Programs.

USDA Foods Entitlement

An agency's entitlement is the dollar value of USDA Foods each recipient agency is eligible to receive. An agency's donated food entitlement is calculated by the number of reimbursable lunches served during the previous year (July 1–June 30) multiplied by the current per-meal value. The per-meal value for USDA Foods is established annually, in July, by the United States Congress.

USDA Program Resources

Value of Donated Foods Notices External link opens in new window or tab.
Current and prior year Federal Register notices announcing the national average value of donated foods for the National School Lunch Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

USDA Foods Fact Sheets External link opens in new window or tab.
USDA Foods fact sheets developed for food expected to be available for schools and institutions participating in the National School Lunch Program.

USDA Foods Expected to be Available List External link opens in new window or tab.
A list of food available or expected to be available by USDA to participants in the School and Child Nutrition Programs.

USDA Foods Pricing Information External link opens in new window or tab.
USDA's estimated Fair Market Values (FMV) for current and prior years. FMVs are updated every year on November 15.

USDA Foods Price List and Serving Guide

An alphabetical listing of USDA Foods that provides pack size, approximate number of servings provided, average serving size, and approximate number of servings from each pack/unit ordered.

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, April 07, 2026
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.
  • Food Distribution Management Bulletins
    Links to the Food Distribution Program management bulletins.
  • USDA Foods Processing Program
    Information regarding processing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods into more usable end products.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Expanded Capital Expenditure Approved List (added 12-May-2026)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the California Department of Education’s (CDE) request to expand the Capital Expenditure Approved List. This expansion contains equipment commonly purchased by School Food Authorities (SFAs).
  • USDA Farm to School Grant Informational Webinars (added 12-May-2026)
    School districts may apply for three federal grants that can support farm to school, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships grant.
  • Updated Resources Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (added 06-May-2026)
    Updated Resources Due to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025.
  • USDA Grants to Support Farm to School (added 06-May-2026)
    School districts may apply for three federal grants that can support farm to school, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships grant.
  • Award Announcement for 2025 KIT and R&R Grants (added 04-May-2026)
    Grant Award Announcement for 2025 Kitchen Infrastructure and Training (KIT) and Retention and Recruitment (R&R) Grants.

  • Child Nutrition Advisory Council - May 2026 (added 01-May-2026)
    Meeting agenda for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC)
  • Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions (added 30-Apr-2026)
    This management bulletin provides regulatory updates regarding the allowability of accepting medical statements from registered dietitians (RD) as related to Fluid Milk Substitutions in School Nutrition Programs.
  • Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities (added 30-Apr-2026)
    This management bulletin contains information on the requirements related to accommodating children with disabilities.
  • Income Eligibility Scales for School Year 2026–27 (added 24-Apr-2026)
    Information related to Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced-price Meals or Free Milk in Child Nutrition Programs.
  • School Lunch Hero Day 2026 (added 24-Apr-2026)
    School Lunch Hero Day presents an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and thank hardworking professionals who continue to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of students.