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.

Trending in Nutrition

Recently Posted in Nutrition

Fluid Milk Substitutes – Update to Required Forms (added 26-Jun-2025)
This communication clarifies recent updates to the CCR which have changed the requirements for SFAs offering fluid milk substitutes.
2025–26 School Nutrition Programs AR List (added 26-Jun-2025)
Provides a web link to the list of school food authorities scheduled for an SNP AR in SY 2025–26 and prereview training information.
2022 KIT Funds Final Report Due 6-30-25 Follow Up (added 24-Jun-2025)
2022 Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Funds Final Report Due 6-30-25 Follow Up.
SFBP Final Report Due 6-30-25 (added 24-Jun-2025)
School Food Best Practices (SFBP) Funds Final Report Due 6-30-25.
SUN Bucks Webinar Recording & Revised CALPADS (added 24-Jun-2025)
June 5, 2025 SUN Bucks Webinar Recording and Revised CALPADS Flash #297.

SNP AR 25-26 Workload (added 23-Jun-2025)
School Nutrition Program (SNP) sponsors who are scheduled for an Administrative Review in School Year 2025-26.
Culinary Training: Date Extended to July 3, 2025 (added 20-Jun-2025)
Space is available for Culinary Trainings! The Nutrition Services Division, in collaboration with the Institute of Child Nutrition, is hosting free, in-person, half-day, Mediterranean Menus of Flavor culinary arts trainings for school food service.
Webinar: Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 20-Jun-2025)
School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2025–26 (added 19-Jun-2025)
This communication provides information to School Food Authorities (SFA) on the updated guidance on Paid Lunch Equity for school year 2025-26.
April 22, 2025 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 19-Jun-2025)
The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (NSD) webinar April 22, 2025.