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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Child Nutrition Labeling Manual

The Child Nutrition Labeling Manual provides food manufacturers with instructions on how to apply and obtain approval for a CN label. 

FNS-965
01/22/2024
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Authorized Labels and Manufacturers

CN numbers that appear on the valid list apply to the CN logo and crediting statement only. It is the manufacturer's responsibility to ensure that the product label meets all over federal labeling requirements.

10/13/2023
Resource | Webinars/Videos Unpaid Meals: Best Practices to Ensure Student Access to Meals

A webinar for state agencies and local program operators sharing proactive strategies to prevent and manage unpaid meal charges as schools return to standard counting and claiming in SY 2022-23.

08/31/2022
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance CN Label Approval - Completing FSIS Form 7234

How to complete FSIS Form 7234 when applying for CN label approval.

03/07/2019
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Points to Remember for Facilitating the CN Label Review Process

All manufacturers submitting CN label applications are responsible for providing complete and accurate information. AMS reserves the right to move an application into a pending status when corrections are required.

03/07/2019
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance CN Labeling - Notice to the Trade

This is to notify current and future applicants seeking review and approval of CN labels by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service that, effective Oct. 1, 2018, the hourly fee shall be $112.00 per hour for CN label review services.

08/15/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0026 2017 Edition: Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge - Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools

This is the 2017 Edition of Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge: Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools. This best practice guide is designed to support state agencies and local program operators in their efforts to find workable solutions to the challenge of unpaid meal charges.

SP29-2017
05/10/2017
Resource | Webinars/Videos Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Charge Policy Requirement

No later than July 1, 2017, all school food authorities (SFAs) operating National School Lunch and/or School Breakfast Program must have a written policy in place to address situations where children participating at the reduced price or paid rate do not have money to cover the cost of a meal at the time of the meal service. SFAs have discretion in developing the specifics of their policies, and FNS expects charge policies will vary based on local circumstances and available resources. This webinar provides an overview of the local charge policy requirement and shares best practices for successful policy development.

04/04/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0046 Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments

There has been confusion about how unpaid meal charges must be handled when all collection efforts have been exhausted. To help address these situations, this memorandum clarifies the processes of designating delinquent debt that has been determined to be uncollectable as bad debt and obtaining assistance to offset bad debt losses.

SP47-2016
07/13/2016
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Tip Sheet for Accepting Processed Product Documentation

CN labels, factsheets, and product labels provide a way for food manufacturers to communicate with school program operators about how their products may contribute to the meal pattern requirements for meals served under the USDA CN programs. Included are tips for acceptable documentation.

05/11/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021