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Resource | Policy Memos FD-152: Discontinuance of the High Security Seal Requirement for USDA Foods Deliveries

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will discontinue the requirement for vendors to use high security seals to secure USDA Foods deliveries as of July 1, 2023. 

04/05/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents Instruction 709-5: 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 | Comment Request Request for Information: Software Vendors of State and Local Management Information Systems and Other Technology Solutions for NSLP and SBP

This is a request for information from Management Information Systems software and hardware vendors and developers to learn about the functionality of state and school food authority National School Lunch and School Breakfast program data management information systems. 

01/13/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0073 Farm to School and School Garden Expenses

Recently, we have received several questions about the use of funds from the nonprofit school food service account to cover expenditures related to farm to school activities and school gardens. The questions and answers below address specific scenarios that school food authorities may be dealing with when considering the allowability of such costs.

SP06-2015
11/12/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0062 Smart Snacks Standards for Exempt Foods when Paired Together

The purpose of this memo is to clarify Smart Snacks standards for exempt foods that are paired together as a single snack.

SP63-2014
09/11/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0053 Transition of Foods and Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value to Smart Snacks in School Standards

This memorandum is to inform you that all foods of minimal nutritional value exemptions will end on June 30, 2014. Therefore, the attached list, Exemptions Under the Competitive Foods Regulation will become obsolete on July 1, 2014. Beginning July, 1, 2014, the interim final rule for Smart Snacks in School will go into effect for school year 2014-15. Therefore, any competitive foods and beverages must meet the nutrition standards specified in the interim final rule.

SP53-2014
06/30/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0011 School Food Authorities Purchasing Produce from Department of Defense Vendors using Section 4 and 11 FFVP Funds

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.

FD-133
03/06/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2005-0011 Reminder about Storage and Handling of Dried Fruits, Fruit/Nut Trail Mix, Grains and Grain Products

FDD has received several complaints recently about dried fruit and grain products that became infested in storage. Therefore, it is imperative that dried fruit and grain products are distributed to the end user as soon as possible after receipt from the vendor to avoid problems with infestation.

03/08/2005
Page updated: October 14, 2021