Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

USDA Foods Processing Program

Information regarding processing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods into more usable end products.

Processing Information

Processing of USDA Foods allows schools to send items to approved processors. Schools have reported that the ability to send certain USDA Foods to processors, allows them to offer more menu items that meet the preferences of their students, provides a greater variety of food choices, reduces waste, and stabilizes food costs through portion control.

Processors must be approved by the California Department of Education (CDE) or the USDA, and must meet specific requirements. Processors are  regularly reviewed by the CDE or the USDA.

Processors are required to have an approved agreement on file with the CDE in order to participate in the program. The agreement includes end product data schedules, a list of end products available, and nutrition and labeling information.

Schools sending USDA Foods to an approved processor must have a properly procured contract in place with the processor and/or distributor prior to receiving any end products containing USDA Foods as outlined in Management Bulletin FDP-04-2018 USDA Final Rule Regarding Revisions and Clarifications in Requirements for the Processing of Donated Foods. Additionally, Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 250.31(b) External link opens in new window or tab. mandates all applicable procurement documents must include: (1) the price to be charged for the end product or other processing service, (2) the method of end product sales that will be utilized and assurance that crediting for USDA Foods will be completed per applicable requirements, (3) the value of USDA Foods in the end products, and (4) the location for the delivery of the end products.

2024–25 Approved Processor Listing (XLSX)
Processors approved to process USDA Foods.

USDA Foods Processors’ Consultant Assignments

Food Distribution Program General Information Sheets
Information to assist processors with program compliance.

Management Bulletins
Food Distribution Program management bulletins organized by calendar year.

USDA Foods Processing Information External link opens in new window or tab.
Information on processing USDA Foods

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | 916-324-7132
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
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
  • 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.