USDA DoD Fresh
Schools are encouraged to begin drawing down their DoD Fresh funds. Product availability is typically at its best during this time of year, making it a great time to place orders through FFAVORS.
Report from the Field: We have received great feedback about the quality of the melons this season!
FFAVORS also has a new website link. If you have the previous FFAVORS link bookmarked, please update your bookmark with the new link.
There have been reports of schools receiving errors when attempting to log in. If you experience login issues, please refer to the FFAVORS Login Assistance Sheet for troubleshooting information.
Please familiarize yourself with the FFAVORS Quick Reference Guide.
USDA Foods Orders
The October orders are closed. Please log into NDFoods and review your order so you know what to expect on your delivery.
Product Updates
The listed products have availability changes:
- Apple Slices: USDA canceled due to vendor constraints.
- Fajita Strips (Update): USDA was able to purchase our partial load. The product will be offered through the December excess food survey.
- Strawberry Diced Cups: One truckload was canceled due to crop issues. Beginning in January, schools planned quantities will be reduced.
- Tyson Crispy Chicken Patties(1073040928): All planned quantities were shorted.
- Corn (100313): The product will arrive too late to be included in October orders. If you would still like to receive your October quantity, please contact the state and indicate the quantity and the future delivery you would like the corn added.
- Land O’Lakes String Cheese (59701): This product is paused due to supplier issues affecting all Land O’Lakes individually wrapped products. If you included this product on your Annual Survey, please select another available Land O’Lakes product to use your entitlement.
- JTM Meatballs (CP5030): CP5030 will not appear on the Monthly Survey. Schools that included CP5030 on their Annual Survey must select CP5035 on their Monthly Surveys instead. Quantities planned under CP5030 should be ordered under CP5035.
Refer to The Food Availability Sheet for current SY 2026–2027 USDA Foods availability.
When USDA cancels a product, the entitlement associated with that product cannot be used as originally planned. The state will attempt to purchase another product when possible; however, replacement options may not always be available. If a replacement purchase cannot be made, the sponsor may have unspent entitlement remaining at the end of the school year.
Upcoming Food Survey Dates
📅 December Monthly Survey: Open Sept. 28–Oct. 4, 2026
📅 December Excess Survey: Open Oct. 5–7, 2026
All surveys close at 11:00 a.m. CDT on the closing date.
Excess Surveys
There was some confusion with the November Excess Survey, as several schools thought it was a repeat of the November Monthly Survey. Although both surveys are connected to the same delivery month, they serve different purposes.
- The Monthly Survey is prepopulated with quantities requested through the Annual Survey. Schools review those planned quantities and may decrease them if needed.
- The Excess Survey offers additional USDA Foods that are available beyond schools planned Annual Survey quantities. Products requested through the Excess Survey are added to the school’s order for that delivery month. The excess survey is optional.
Bonus Foods
North Dakota placed an order for the following bonus foods offered by USDA:
- Pulled Pork: 250 cases
- Sliced Ham: 250 cases
The raisins were not purchased because there was not enough demand to meet the minimum quantity required for an order.
These products are expected to arrive at the warehouse in November. Schools will be able to request them beginning in December and continuing through April on excess surveys, until supplies are gone. Requested quantities cannot be guaranteed; however, the state will make every effort to distribute the available bonus foods among interested schools.
Bonus foods are provided in addition to schools' USDA Foods entitlement. Ordering these products will not deduct from entitlement or reduce quantities already requested.
For all USDA Food Distribution inquiries, please contact:
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