Beginning October 1, 2024, and through December 15, 2024, School Nutrition Program (SNP) sponsors participating in the Food Distribution Program (FDP) may submit changes to the way they order and receive U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods for School Year (SY) 2025–26.
For more information, reference Management Bulletin NSD-FDP-02-2013, Changing Receipt of USDA Foods. The management bulletin contains a table on the Avenues for Receiving USDA Foods, which compares services among the California Department of Education (CDE) state distribution centers, state cooperatives (co-ops), and private co-ops. For an overview of the three different avenues for receiving USDA Foods in California, please review the recorded training course 669 titled CDE FDP: Avenues of Participation, located in the FDP tab of the CDE Child Nutrition Programs Course Catalog web page.
Sponsors who decide to change their FDP participation method must email FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov a letter of intent that includes the following:
- Full agency name
- Complete address
- Phone number
- Vendor number
- Method for receiving USDA Foods in SY 2025–26
No action is required for sponsors electing to continue their current method for receiving USDA Foods.
All SNP sponsors participating the National School Lunch Program are eligible to receive USDA Foods, which can assist in efforts to incorporate more freshly prepared, minimally processed foods in your meal programs. USDA Foods also help offset overall food costs. If your school is not currently benefiting from USDA Foods, please contact the staff listed below for more information.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding this subject or if you want to learn more about the financial benefits of the FDP and/or USDA Foods, please contact:
- Amy Bell, Child Nutrition Consultant (CNC), by phone at 916-322-5051 or by email at abell@cde.ca.gov, or
- Sherry Tam, CNC, by phone at 916-324-9875 or by email at stam@cde.ca.gov.