FNS Documents & Resources

Prior to production All CN labels must be approved in FINAL by AMS (& FSIS or NMFS if applicable).

The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops Inspection Division performs CN Label review services and charges a fee for each CN label reviewed. 

The purpose of this memorandum is to update the definition of what is considered “unprocessed” for the purposes of applying the optional geographic preference for procurement in the child nutrition programs.

Memorandum of Understanding between USDA FNS, AMS, FSIS, and USDC NMFS for the child nutrition labeling program.

Please be aware that the procurement questions from July 22, 2009 have been revised. This new set of procurement questions supersedes the previous set, as a change has been made to the second Q&A under “Local Purchasing."

This memorandum updates and revises memoranda SP30-2008: Applying Geographic Preferences in Procurements for the Child Nutrition Programs, SP08-2009: Procurement Questions, and SP28-2009: Procurement Questions, regarding school food authorities’ and other institutions’ application of a geographic preference in procurements for the child nutrition programs.

All manufacturers participating in the CN labeling program are required to have an Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)-approved QC program by Oct. 1, 2009.

Today’s unpredictable economy has made it important to consider accounting for the fluctuating costs of goods and services that are beyond the control of either the school food authority or the vendor.

Recently, we have received numerous concerns regarding the improper application of the new procurement rule, Procurement Requirements for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk Program, which was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 31, 2007 and became effective on Nov. 30, 2007.