Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Food Distribution Program Assistance Manual

Information and guidance for all agencies who receive foods through the Food Distribution Program.

General Information

The Food Distribution Program Administrative Manual (FDPA Manual) was developed to provide information about the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Distribution Programs as administered by the California Department of Education (CDE).

The manual contains USDA and CDE's policies, procedures, forms, and samples to assist you in administering state and federal donated food programs.

It was prepared by the Nutrition Services Division of the CDE, with funding from the USDA.

For further clarification about the information in the manual, consult the Code of Federal Regulations, or the California Education Code sections cited at the beginning of the chapters and lettered sections.

Contents

The FDPA Manual is being updated. For copies or questions regarding the FDPA Manual, please contact:

Amy Bell
Food Distribution Program
Email: abell@cde.ca.gov

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, March 07, 2024
Recently Posted in Nutrition

  • Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency (added 21-Feb-2025)
    Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency in Santa Cruz County due to Winter Storms.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Requests Feedback (added 21-Feb-2025)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service is seeking voluntary feedback through an online survey pertaining to the USDA Foods in Schools Product Information Sheets and the USDA Foods Database.
  • Farm to School Needs Assessment 2025 (added 18-Feb-2025)
    The Nutrition Services Division (NSD) seeks to understand the resources and support you need to start, sustain, or expand your Farm to School efforts.
  • 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.