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Resource | Toolkits Tools for Schools

Tools for Schools offers topic-specific policy and resource materials to assist schools in meeting the new nutrition standards. Refer to the latest regulations, find free nutrition education curricula, or get ideas for adding tasty, kid-friendly foods to enhance your school meals program.

05/16/2023
Resource | Webinars/Videos Meal Talk: Local School Wellness Policies

USDA Team Nutrition staff and guest speakers from South Carolina’s Local Wellness Policy State Technical Assistance Team and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shared how to energize, strengthen and assess local school wellness policies.

09/12/2022
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Local School Wellness Policy

A local school wellness policy is a written document of official policies that guide a local educational agency (LEA) or school district’s efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students’ health, well-being, and ability to learn by supporting healthy eating and physical activity.

09/02/2022
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Local School Wellness Policies

Use these materials to bring your school community together to create strong school environments that support students’ growth, learning, and well-being. 

08/15/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos New Requirements for USDA Vendors: Reporting of Nutrition, Allergen, and Ingredient Information for USDA Foods in Schools

This webinar is intended for vendors that supply USDA Foods. 

03/31/2021
Resource | Forms FNS-674: User Access Request Form

Form FNS-674 is used to request access to the USDA Food Program Reporting System (FPRS).  

FNS-674
04/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0025 TEFAP Flexibilities for State Agencies

During an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 public health emergency, there are flexibilities available to TEFAP state agencies to assist them in continuing to provide food to people in need. Implementing TEFAP flexibilities can be achieved simply by submitting a written explanation (i.e., state plan amendment) to the FNS regional office for expedited review and approval.

03/31/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0089 FD-146: Questions and Answers about Distribution Procedures in TEFAP

This memorandum provides information on current flexibilities in distribution procedures that are available for state agencies that administer TEFAP. 

FD-146
11/14/2019
Resource | Technical Assistance Professional Standards

Professional Standards for school nutrition professionals is a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. The final rule, published March 2, 2015, requires a minimum amount of annual training hours for all state directors of school nutrition programs, state director of distributing agencies, school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff.

09/08/2019
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Demonstration Projects to End Childhood Hunger

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 added a new Section 23 on Childhood Hunger Research to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. This section provides substantial new mandatory funding to research the causes and consequences of childhood hunger and to test innovative strategies to end child hunger and food insecurity.

06/05/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021