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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Updates to the School Nutrition Standards

This final rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans - is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security.

04/24/2024
Resource | Infographics Implementation Timeline for Updating the School Meal Standards

School meals will continue to include fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, and give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy, tasty meals. For the first time, schools will focus on products with less added sugar, especially in school breakfast.

04/24/2024
Resource | Infographics How We Got Here: School Nutrition Standards Final Rule

School nutrition professionals continue to make school meals the healthiest meals children eat in a day! To take school meals to the next level, USDA is updating the school nutrition standards after considering recommendations from the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and listening to a diverse range of voices with experience in child nutrition and health.

04/24/2024
Resource | Federal Register Documents Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines (2024-2025)

This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals, free milk, and Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits for the period from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. 

02/20/2024
Resource | Webinars/Videos CNP Integrity Final Rule: School Meal Programs Provisions Webinar

This webinar gives an overview of the rulemaking process, highlights specific regulatory changes and provisions that impact the school meal programs, and provides information regarding resources for the final rule.

01/19/2024
Resource | Federal Register Documents 2023 Pulse Survey: Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs

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.

11/13/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Food Distribution Program: Value of Donated Foods from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024

This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2024 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) for each lunch served by schools participating in the NSLP, and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the CACFP.

07/13/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Initial Site Visits in the Summer Food Service Program

This guidance memo addresses sponsors’ monitoring requirements of its sites and food service operations in the SFSP. This guidance applies to sponsors’ management responsibilities of conducting initial site visits and full reviews of food service, including visits of non-congregate rural meal sites.

SFSP 10-2023
05/30/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Guidance on Site Selection Criteria during Reviews in the SFSP

Guidance for state agencies to develop criteria for site selection for monitoring reviews in the Summer Food Service Program.

SFSP 08-2023
05/25/2023
Page updated: October 14, 2021