FNS Documents & Resources

Use these local school wellness policy tools and resources to bring your school community together to create strong school environments that support students’ growth, learning, and well-being.

The market basket costs in the Thrifty Food Plan, 2021 apply to the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. By law, the USDA must make cost adjustments to the Thrifty Food Plan to reflect the cost of food in Alaska and Hawaii. The Thrifty Food Plan Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii report provides updated estimates of the June 2022 cost of the reevaluated Thrifty Food Plan in Alaska and Hawaii.

Engage parents in school wellness using this ready-to-go communication tool. This flyer can help parents support the school wellness policy.

This document provides the initial study plan for the reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, 2026. This initial study plan is based on information available as of April 2023. The USDA, FNS intends to publish a final study plan by early 2026.

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.

This infographic encourages school districts to renew, strengthen, energize, and nourish their local school wellness policy efforts. Available in English and Spanish.

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.

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.

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

Engage school staff and parents in school wellness using these ready-to-go communication tools.