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:

USDA Foods Product Information Sheets web page
USDA Foods Pricing Reports web page
USDA Foods Expected to be Available web page
USDA Foods Toolkit web page

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 (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 4, 2024

Related Content

Child Nutrition Programs Course Catalog
A catalog of online training courses for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs.

Trending in Nutrition

Recently Posted in Nutrition

2025–26 FFVP Request for Applications Available (added 14-Feb-2025)
The CDE NSD announces a grant opportunity for elementary schools to participate in the FFVP. The FFVP grant period is July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. All eligible agencies, both current FFVP grantees and new applicants, must respond online to this RFA.
Tri-Union Seafoods Issues Tuna Recall (added 13-Feb-2025)
Tri-Union Seafoods Issues recall of select tuna cans due to clostridium botulinum risk.
2025 SFSP Reimbursement Rates (added 11-Feb-2025)
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) 2025 reimbursement rates are now available.
2025–26 CNP Reimbursement Rates (added 10-Feb-2025)
Child Nutrition Program (CNP) meal reimbursement rates.
Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Q&A #3 (added 10-Feb-2025)
The USDA issued a policy memorandum Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3, which provides further clarification on rural non-congregate requirements.

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.
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.