FDP: Avenues of Participation

The Food Distribution Program (FDP) Avenues of Participation online training.

Course Description

There are three different ways to receive U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods in California: (1) allocation agencies, (2) state cooperatives (co-ops), and (3) private co-ops. This training describes the three different participation methods a recipient agency can choose from and how they differ from one another. This training is recommended for any agency interested in learning more about the options available for ordering and receiving USDA Foods.

Course Number: 669
Training Length: 21 minutes
Certificate: None
Target Audience: Food Service Director and Staff
Mandatory: No
Cost: Free
Date Recorded: February 2016

Online Course

Referenced Resources

The following resource is referred to throughout this online course:

USDA NSD-FDP-02-2013: Changing Receipt of USDA Foods Management Bulletin

Crediting

Crediting: 0.25 hour
Key Area: Nutrition (1000)
- Training Topic: Menu Planning (1100)
  - Learning Objective: Plan for effective use of USDA foods (1170)

For more information on crediting, access the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) web document Professional Standards for School Nutrition Professionals

Additional Information

For more information on USDA Foods, visit the California Department of Education Food Distribution web page.

Contact Us

For questions regarding the course content, contact the Food Distribution Program by email at FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov.

Questions: Food Distribution Program | FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-7132

Last Reviewed: Monday, August 17, 2026

Related Content

Child Nutrition Programs Learning Library
A list of online training courses for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs.

Trending in Nutrition

Recently Posted in Nutrition

Child Nutrition Advisory Council – November 2026 (added 23-Oct-2026)
Agenda for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC)
Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall 10/27/26 (added 21-Oct-2026)
School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
Kayem Foods Recalls Meat and Poultry Products (added 21-Oct-2026)
Kayem Foods Inc. Recalls Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Temperature Abuse.
Adequate Time to Eat Survey (added 14-Oct-2026)
The purpose of this survey is to gather information regarding school and district practices and perceptions related to evidence-based Adequate Time to Eat (ATE) recommendations.
Opportunity: Ultraprocessed Foods Evaluation (added 07-Oct-2026)
Opportunity to Participate in the Ultraprocessed Foods (UPFs) in CA Schools Evaluation

MB FDP-01-2026 Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods (added 07-Oct-2026)
The FNS Instruction 709-5, Revision 4 applies to local educational agencies and other entities that receive USDA Foods directly from a USDA-contracted vendor. It does not apply to USDA Foods received from a State distribution center, Co-op, or a cont
FNS 709-5, Rev. 4: Shipment & Receipt of USDA Food (added 01-Oct-2026)
This management bulletin outlines the updates to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Instruction 709-5, Revision 4: Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods.
2026–27 FFVP Second Allocation Funding Results (added 30-Sep-2026)
On September 29, 2026, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP second allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2026–27 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP second allocation is October 1, 2026–June 30, 2027.
USDA Foods Participation Election for SY 2027–28 (added 29-Sep-2026)
Beginning October 1, 2026, and through December 15, 2026, SNP sponsors participating in the Food Distribution Program may submit a request to change the way they order and receive USDA Foods for School Year (SY) 2027–28.
Updates to Child Nutrition Program Standards (added 29-Sep-2026)
Two MBs SNP-08-2026, SFSP-02-2026 Updates to School Nutrition Program Standards and SNP-09-2026 Preschool Meal Pattern Requirements have been updated to reflect new federal meal pattern and nutrition standard requirement & flexibility options.