FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum clarifies how school food authorities may use funds provided under Sections 4 and 11 or 19 of the National School Lunch Act to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program vendors.

This memo clarifies the small purchase threshold applicable to procurements under FNS programs.

The purpose of this memorandum is to emphasize the importance of the state agency and school food authority oversight and monitoring of contracts with food service management companies and to provide guidance for these activities.

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide Q&As on the application of the geographic preference option in procurement of unprocessed locally grown or locally raised agricultural products.

The attached memorandum is Food Distribution Policy Memo FD-110, which clarifies requirements in crediting for, and use of, USDA donated foods in contracts with food service management companies, and provides guidance to ensure compliance with such requirements in the first and final years of such contracts.

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.

This memorandum is intended to provide clarification of what is allowable, for contracts executed both prior to and after publication of the final rule.

The purpose of this memorandum is to highlight the key provisions of the final rule and emphasize the responsibilities state agencies have in ensuring compliance with these provisions and with contract enforcement and oversight.

We have received numerous inquiries in the past several weeks concerning a document produced by the Harrison Institute for Public Law at Georgetown University addressing the purchase of products from local farmers. The document expresses the view that Congress, as part of the 2002 Farm Bill, expressed clear support for geographic preferences in purchases made for school food service programs.

This guidance serves as a general reminder to state agencies about the importance of complying with the Buy American provisions that are found in the regulations of the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.