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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Farm to Summer Celebration Week- Pre-survey (added 02-Jun-2025)
This week is for program operators to celebrate local foods with the 3 elements: 1) Taste, 2) Teach, and 3) Connect.
CNP-01-2025 Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products (added 30-May-2025)
This Management Bulletin updates crediting information for tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child Nutrition Programs.
Hormel Foods Corporation Recalls Beef Stew (added 29-May-2025)
Hormel Foods Corporation Recalls Canned Beef Stew Product Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination.
SUN Bucks 2025 Implementation Webinar - 6/5/2025 (added 29-May-2025)
SUN Bucks 2025 Implementation Webinar Registration.
Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the CNPs (added 29-May-2025)
This management bulletin updates crediting information for tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).

Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirement (added 28-May-2025)
This MB informs provides Child Nutrition Program Sponsors guidance on documenting how a food item meets meal pattern requirements, including how the state agency verifies the process.
Offer versus Serve Waiver in the SFSP (added 27-May-2025)
The USDA approved a waiver requested by the CDE for non-SFA SFSP operators to use the OVS meal service option on a case-by-case basis.
Guidance for Processed Product Documentation (added 27-May-2025)
Management Bulletin SNP-08-2025, SFSP-08-2025 and FDP-08-2025; USDA Policy Memo TA 07-2010: Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements.
Bedner Growers Recalls Cucumbers (added 23-May-2025)
Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers Due to Possible Health Risk.
Celebrating California School Meals Photo Contest (added 23-May-2025)
The California Department of Education’s Farm to School program is holding a photo contest. CDE welcomes photos highlighting California’s diverse school meals programs; scratch cooked, locally sourced meals; and our school nutrition professionals.