Distribution Centers

General Information | Fees | Contact Information

General Information

Mission

The State Distribution Centers have supported the National School Lunch Program for over 70 years by distributing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods and Department of Defense (DOD) fresh produce. Our mission is to continue this effort by storing and distributing nutritious food for California’s school children at state-of-the-art facilities.

Distribution Center Services

Recipient agencies (RA) receiving USDA Foods through the State Distribution Centers (SDC) are part of the Allocation Program. RAs have full control of their entitlement spending and scheduling. The SDC also serves the state cooperative (co-op) programs. If needed, all RAs may choose to place their USDA Foods into extended storage for a nominal fee.

Allocations/Offering

RAs place five orders per year from which they are entitled to order nonprocessed USDA Foods based on the quantity available at the SDC. USDA shipments of food are designated for delivery to the SDC. Allocations indicate delivery dates to RAs for USDA Foods.

Advance Order Program

Annually, before each new school year, RAs with a minimum Total Lunches Served (TLS) of 45,000 or more can order raw bulk USDA Foods to divert directly to approved USDA Foods processors.

State Co-op Program

Annually, before each new school year, RAs submit a completed survey to the State Co-op Coordinator. RAs order specific USDA Foods to be received at the SDC rather than selecting inventory from the allocation process. Raw bulk USDA Foods can also be for direct shipment to a designated approved processor. There is no minimum TLS required to participate.

Benefits of Using a Distribution Center

• No annual membership fee
• 15 percent discount on agency pickup
• Direct communication with state staff for technical assistance
• Several delivery options
• Residual USDA Foods from inventory
• Hold for processor pickup
• State-of-the-art facilities and equipment
• Quality services

Fees

Warehouse Fees

• $0.90 per case administrative fee for USDA Foods shipped directly to processors
• $2.85 per case service and handling for USDA Foods
• $2.85 per case service and handling for DOD fresh produce
• Extended Storage (monthly storage cost per unit)
  • $0.55 Frozen
  • $0.45 Refrigerated
  • $0.35 Dry

Cancellation, Return and Restocking Policy

Offering Cancellation, Return, and Restocking Fee
States the policy on canceling, returning, or having an order restocked.

Contact Information

Distribution Center Locations

Sacramento Distribution Center
916-324-0162

The Sacramento Distribution Center handles deliveries for the North County Warehouse Agencies and the North State Co-op Agencies. For delivery schedule information, please contact the Sacramento Distribution Center.

Pomona Distribution Center
909-596-7777

The Pomona Distribution Center handles deliveries for the South County Warehouse Agencies and the South State Co-op Agencies. For delivery schedule information, please contact the Pomona Distribution Center.