Partners in Nutrition Cooperative
California’s only self-managed USDA Cooperative Receiving Agency, PINCO pools district resources to maximize NSLP entitlements and streamline regulatory compliance. Our strategic commodity management benefits schools of all sizes through shared expertise and buying power.
Who We Are
PINCO, Partners in Nutrition Cooperative, is the only self-managed Co-Operative USDA Receiving Agency and Purchasing Group in California. Each Member District assigns its earned NSLP entitlement into PINCO’s single-bank inventory, creating a powerful collective resource for all members.
What We Do
Direct delivery commodities are scheduled strategically throughout the year. Diverted commodities are ordered, received, stored and delivered to Member Districts’ schools on-demand to meet their specific needs. Our website provides tools for managing inventories, source agreements and resource materials involving USDA Foods.
Our Partnerships
PINCO Representatives participate on CDE’s Food Distribution Program’s Advisory Committee and serve the American Commodity Distribution Association on various Sub-committees. We maintain strong relationships with CDE’s Resource Management Unit, assisting Member Districts with reporting and documentation required under NSLP sponsorship. Our financial management is overseen by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).
Our Inclusive Approach
Over 60% of PINCO’s membership comprises Districts representing less than two percent of PINCO’s $6.1 million annual USDA Foods entitlement. This inclusive structure, paired with equal voting rights, creates a positive and collaborative decision-making environment that benefits schools of all sizes.