Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Annual Update of the FDP Contract in the CNIPS


Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin
Purpose: Policy, Action Required

To: Food Distribution Program Recipient Agencies

Number: NSD-FDP-07-2011

Attention: Food Service Director, Business Official, Superintendent

Date: October 2011

Subject: Annual Update of the Food Distribution Program Contract in the Child Nutrition and Information Payment System

Reference: Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations sections 250.14, 250.56, and 250.59 Agreement for Distribution of Donated Food

This Management Bulletin (MB) provides information and guidance regarding the annual participation requirements for the Food Distribution Program (FDP) and is effective beginning July 1, 2012.

According to Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations sections 250.14, 250.56, and 250.59, and in Part Two and Part Five of the Agreement for Distribution of Donated Food, all recipient agencies receiving U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods are required to maintain an inventory system and annually inspect storage facilities.

Mandatory Certification to Receive USDA Foods

Recipient agencies must certify their compliance with these regulations by updating their FDP Contract Packet in the Child Nutrition Information Payment System (CNIPS) annually by July 31.

Non-compliance with the Mandatory Certification

Recipient agencies that do not complete their FDP Contract Packet by the deadline may have their orders cancelled, foods at processors placed in the State account, and entitlement redistributed to agencies in compliance with this policy. The FDP will closely monitor completion of contracts.

Please note: Membership in a private cooperative does not relieve agencies of these responsibilities.

Additional Information

The following will assist your agency in meeting these requirements:

  • An instructional video, “Completing and Submitting the Contract Packet” is available on the California Department of Education’s CNIPS Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cn/videofdp5.asp. [Note, the preceding web address is no longer valid. Information can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IxLOX6s6r8&list=PL8F6t3accqslj9EXEUCiD9Zh00iqm2WE7&index=6.]
  • Storage Facility Review Form is available on the FDP Annual Inventory Forms Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/annualInv.asp [Note, the preceding web address is no longer valid. This form is no longer required nor available.]
  • Agencies that do not have their own inventory system may download sample inventory forms from the FDP Annual Inventory Forms Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/annualInv.asp [Note, the preceding web address is no longer valid. This form is no longer required nor available.]

If you need further assistance, please contact Amy Bell, Child Nutrition Consultant, by phone at 916-322-5051 or by e-mail at abell@cde.ca.gov, or Sherry Tam, Child Nutrition Consultant, by phone at 916-324-9875 or by e-mail at stam@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, April 01, 2025
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • 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.
  • School Year 2025–26 Annual Update Now Open (added 14-Jul-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) has opened the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) Annual Update in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) for School Year (SY) 2025–26 (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026).
  • Updates to School Nutrition Program Standards (added 10-Jul-2025)
    This MB provides Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) Operators information and policy guidance regarding updates to federal CNP meal pattern requirements released on April 24, 2024.
  • 2025 SUN Bucks Resources (added 08-Jul-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce the availability of multiple 2025 SUN Bucks resources