Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Annual Update of the FDP Contract in the CNIPS


Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin
Purpose: Policy, Action Required

To: Food Distribution Program Recipient Agencies

Number: NSD-FDP-07-2011

Attention: Food Service Director, Business Official, Superintendent

Date: October 2011

Subject: Annual Update of the Food Distribution Program Contract in the Child Nutrition and Information Payment System

Reference: Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations sections 250.14, 250.56, and 250.59 Agreement for Distribution of Donated Food

This Management Bulletin (MB) provides information and guidance regarding the annual participation requirements for the Food Distribution Program (FDP) and is effective beginning July 1, 2012.

According to Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations sections 250.14, 250.56, and 250.59, and in Part Two and Part Five of the Agreement for Distribution of Donated Food, all recipient agencies receiving U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods are required to maintain an inventory system and annually inspect storage facilities.

Mandatory Certification to Receive USDA Foods

Recipient agencies must certify their compliance with these regulations by updating their FDP Contract Packet in the Child Nutrition Information Payment System (CNIPS) annually by July 31.

Non-compliance with the Mandatory Certification

Recipient agencies that do not complete their FDP Contract Packet by the deadline may have their orders cancelled, foods at processors placed in the State account, and entitlement redistributed to agencies in compliance with this policy. The FDP will closely monitor completion of contracts.

Please note: Membership in a private cooperative does not relieve agencies of these responsibilities.

Additional Information

The following will assist your agency in meeting these requirements:

  • An instructional video, “Completing and Submitting the Contract Packet” is available on the California Department of Education’s CNIPS Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/cn/videofdp5.asp.[Note, the preceding web address is no longer valid. Information can be found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IxLOX6s6r8&list=PL8F6t3accqslj9EXEUCiD9Zh00iqm2WE7&index=6.]
  • Storage Facility Review Form is available on the FDP Annual Inventory Forms Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/annualInv.asp [Note, the preceding web address is no longer valid. This form is no longer required nor available.]
  • Agencies that do not have their own inventory system may download sample inventory forms from the FDP Annual Inventory Forms Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/annualInv.asp [Note, the preceding web address is no longer valid. This form is no longer required nor available.]

If you need further assistance, please contact Amy Bell, Child Nutrition Consultant, by phone at 916-322-5051 or by e-mail at abell@cde.ca.gov, or Sherry Tam, Child Nutrition Consultant, by phone at 916-324-9875 or by e-mail at stam@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, March 05, 2024
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • 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.
  • Availability of the 2025-26 Breakfast Grant (added 14-Jan-2025)
    The School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants, administered by the California Department of Education, provide schools with funding to start-up or expand their SBP and SMP.
  • 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.

  • Buy American Provision (added 08-Jan-2025)
    This management bulletin provides school food authorities (SFAs) with updates to the Buy American requirements included in the final rule titled Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
  • 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.
  • SNP-11-2024 Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions (added 17-Dec-2024)
    This MB updates and replaces USDA-CNP-04-2010, related to Fluid Milk Substitutions in SNPs to align with the Final Rule.