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Happy October!
As the school year moves along, I want to thank you for your patience and flexibility with USDA Foods shortages and cancellations. We recognize that these changes can create challenges for your menu planning.
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USDA DoD Fresh
Schools are encouraged to report delayed deliveries or poor-quality produce to the state and DLA representatives. Thank you to those who take the extra time to email photos to help document concerns.
Following the cancellation of the October corn loads and strawberry cups, schools had the opportunity to transfer the entitlement originally planned for these products to DoD Fresh. USDA has confirmed that the funds are expected to be transferred to the state account after Friday7, Oct. 16. We anticipate adding the funds to participating schools’ accounts early in the week of Oct. 19.
USDA Foods Orders
The November 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:
- Fajita Strips (Update): All November quantities were shorted. USDA was able to purchase a partial load, and the product will be offered through the December Excess Food Survey.
- Cavendish Hash Brown Patties (5621034500): All November quantities were shorted.
- Corn (100313): USDA was unable to purchase our October corn loads, limiting the corn available for excess orders. All corn added through the November Excess Food Survey will be canceled. Corn ordered through the November Monthly Survey will be delivered. Requests to add corn to December customer orders have been completed.
- 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
January Monthly Survey: Open Oct. 26–Nov. 1, 2026
January Excess Survey: Open Nov. 1–4, 2026
All surveys close at 11:00 a.m. CDT on the closing date.
For all USDA Food Distribution inquiries, please contact:
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Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY).
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD- 3027 (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax:
202-690-7442; or
3. email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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