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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance USDA Foods Database

Check out this database to access vendor-specific product information for all direct delivered USDA Foods for the National School Lunch Program.

11/09/2023
Resource | Fact Sheets School Gardens: Using Gardens to Grow Healthy Habits in Cafeterias, Classrooms and Communities

This fact sheet reviews school farms spanning acres in Minnesota, indoor tower gardens in Vermont, raised beds in New York City, aquaponic systems in the Virgin Islands, and native food gardens in tribal communities.

03/06/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Farm to Child Nutrition Programs Planning Guide

The Farm to Child Nutrition Planning Guide directs you through questions to consider when starting or growing a farm to school, farm to child care, or farm to summer program. This planning guide should be used as a supplemental tool to the Farm to School Planning Toolkit. 

 

03/29/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Seeding Success: Farm to School Grant Requirements

This pre-recorded webinar features USDA Farm to School Program staff, who summarize grantee reporting requirements and review the processes for submitting no-cost extensions, as well as project and budget amendments.

03/21/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Everything You Need to Know about GS1 GDSN! Accessing Nutrient, Allergen and Ingredient Information for USDA Foods in Schools

This webinar is intended for states and school districts that serve direct delivered USDA Foods for child nutrition programs.

08/05/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0036 Data Requests from Infant Formula Manufacturers

The purpose of this memorandum is to ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the federal regulatory requirements related to the disclosure of confidential WIC vendor and participant information.

WIC Policy Memorandum #2021-6
04/07/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0007 Revised Guidance for Use of Vendor/Private Staff in Call Centers: 2020 Update

Building on best practices to date and consistent with USDA’s efforts to improve customer service and increase state flexibility within the bounds of the law, while continuing to encourage states as laboratories of innovation, FNS is once again expanding allowable activities for states seeking to use vendor/private staff in call centers

02/06/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2019-0024 Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods

This instruction establishes the general standards and procedures that the state distributing agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods, and conveys established responsibilities for other entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers.

FNS Instruction 709-5
03/13/2019
Resource | Fact Sheets Farm to Preschool: Local Food and Learning in Early Child Care and Education Settings

This fact sheet discusses how farm to school isn’t just for K-12 institutions; an increasing number of early child care and education providers are engaging in farm to preschool activities.

12/14/2017
Resource | Fact Sheets Gardens in Tribal Communities

Tribal communities are growing gardens of all forms from medicinal gardens and small community gardens to larger food production gardens to school gardens. This fact sheet primarily focuses on tribal school gardens.

12/14/2017
Page updated: October 14, 2021