Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

FDP: Maximizing the Use of USDA Foods Entitlement

The Food Distribution Program (FDP) Maximizing the Use of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods Entitlement online training.

Course Description

Learn to maximize your USDA Foods entitlement and hear from Vince Enserro, Director of Nutrition Services at Chico Unified School District (USD), and Kat Soltanmorad, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Tahoe Truckee USD who provide their tips for effectively using USDA Foods to stretch their tight budgets.

  • Course Number: 485
  • Training Length: 44 minutes
  • Certificate: No
  • Target Audience: Food Service Director and Staff
  • Mandatory: No
  • Cost: Free
  • Date Recorded: May 2017

Online Course



Referenced Resources

The following resources are referred to throughout this online course:

Crediting

  • Crediting: 0.50 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 Learning Objectives External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)

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, please contact the Food Distribution Program by email at FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov or by phone at 916-324-7132.

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-7132
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, June 04, 2024
Related Content
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School (added 31-Jan-2025)
    The memorandum clarifies policy related to fees associated with electronic (online) payments and ensures students determined eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits receive the benefits.
  • Webinars: Scratch Cooking & Reducing Sodium (added 30-Jan-2025)
    The CICN hosts a live webinar addressing How to Transition to Scratch Cooking in Schools - First Steps. The USDA Meal Talk Webinar to share strategies to reduce sodium and engage students in menu planning.
  • SY 2025–26 USDA Foods Available List and Pricing (added 29-Jan-2025)
    This report provides an estimated price per pound, per case, and per truck for all USDA Foods items available in school year (SY) 2025-26.
  • Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan (added 14-Jan-2025)
    The Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan allows approved school food authorities to offer non-congregate meals to students fasting during Ramadan.
  • NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant: Allowable Costs (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The USDA issued Policy Memo SP 06-2025: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants (EAG): Installation Expenditures which provides guidance on costs related to installing and using new equipment purchased with EAG funds.

  • Buy American Provision (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The Buy American provision is a procurement standard that SFAs must comply with when purchasing food products served in School Nutrition Programs (SNP). SFAs are required to purchase domestic commodities or products to the maximum extent practicable.
  • Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the Palisades Fire.
  • FFAVORS new requirement (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Effective January 5, 2025, (FFAVORS) user are now required to receipt within 2 business days of receipt of product or required delivery date (RDD).
  • CNIPS Update (added 06-Jan-2025)
    Transition of Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) server hosting and maintenance from California Department of Technology to California Department of Education (CDE).
  • October 22, 2024 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 03-Jan-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar October 22, 2024.