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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 | 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 | Webinars/Videos How to Encourage Variety in CSFP Food Package

This webinar discusses how to encourage variety in the CSFP Food Package and how to structure and operate your CSFP program to provide the greatest benefit to your clients. 

11/29/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0039 Distribution of TEFAP Foods to Children (Revised)

This memorandum provides guidance on the distribution of USDA Foods under TEFAP to children through Kids Cafe, Backpack, or similar programs.

FD-041
06/30/2017
Resource | Webinars/Videos Best Practices for the Use of the USDA DoD Fresh Program in the Summer Food Service Program

This webinar summarizes how the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program operates, discusses the SFSP dollars, explains the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Order Receipt System Defense Logistics Agency tasks, and describes best practices for using USDA DoD Fresh in the SFSP.

03/16/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0042 Ensuring Access to Free and Reduced Price School Meals for Low-Income Students

This guidance provides steps state agencies and school administrators can take to improve access to school meal programs through the application, certification, and verification processes so that all eligible children in NSLP and SBP schools have the opportunity to participate in the school meal programs.

SP43-2016
08/10/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0056 Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications – Requests for Additional Information

This memorandum responds to questions received from regional offices, state agencies and local educational agencies (LEAs) regarding applications for free and reduced price school meals that request the applicant to provide information that is not required for a student’s certification of eligibility for child nutrition programs.

SP50 CACFP27 SFSP20-2011
09/30/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0030 Direct Certification Benchmarks and Continuous Improvement Plans

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement provisions contained in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which establish direct certification rate benchmarks for states and require continuous improvement plans from states that do not meet the benchmarks.

SP32-2011
04/28/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0008 Questions and Answers on Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

This memo contains an attachment of questions and answers on broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) that are based on inquiries from the states.

01/31/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0003 Letter Method for Direct Certification

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.

SP13-2011
01/14/2011
Page updated: October 14, 2021