FNS Documents & Resources

USDA’s goal across all summer nutrition programs is simple: Connect children with nutritious food during the summer months to help them grow and thrive. The interim final rule published this week is an important step forward in increasing access to these services

The Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs surveys, are designed to collect timely data on emerging school food service operational challenges, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions, food costs, and labor shortages, and/or related issues.

FNS is aware that schools in multiple states are experiencing milk supply chain challenges related to packaging issues. This memorandum provides state agencies with information about existing authority related to schools and other child nutrition program operators experiencing inadequate milk supply. FNS encourages state agencies to use this authority when needed to support program operators impacted by the current milk packaging challenges. 

This memorandum provides information to assist Indian Tribal Organizations (ITO) in preparing to implement Summer EBT.

The purpose of this new collection is to collect qualitative and quantitative stakeholder feedback through meetings, focus groups, interviews, other stakeholder interactions and surveys, as well as requests for administrative data, as part of the planning process for FNS regulatory actions, the semi-annual regulatory agenda, research studies, outreach, training and the development of guidance.

FNS plans to collect periodic data to obtain information on operational challenges facing institutions who operate or administer child nutrition programs, including state agencies, SFAs and Summer Food Service Program sponsors. The Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs (OCCNP) Surveys, are designed to collect timely data on emerging school food service operational challenges, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions, food costs, and labor shortages, and/or related issues in SY 2023–2024, 2024–2025, and SY 2025–2026.

FNS issued regulation that prescribe the methods for making payments of funds to state agencies to use for administrative expenses incurred in overseeing and providing technical assistance in connection with activities undertaken under the NSLP, the SMP, the SBP, the CACFP, and the FDP. For this revision, FNS has revised the FNS-525 form to eliminate data fields which collect data that can be obtained from the FNS financial data systems.

The USDA has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PL 104-13).

This collection is an extension without change of a currently approved collection which FNS employs to determine public participation in the SMP.