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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 | Webinars/Videos Navigating the USDA Foods Database

This webinar provided state agencies and school districts instructions on how to navigate the USDA Foods Database to access vendor-specific product information, including nutrients, allergens, ingredients and certifications.

03/02/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance USDA Foods Processing Program: Tips on How to Efficiently and Effectively Utilize USDA Foods Diverted to Processors

This webinar provided an overview of the USDA Foods Processing program and shared some tips on how to effectively manage USDA Foods diverted to processors.

08/12/2022
Resource | Recipes USDA Foods in Schools Additional Resources

A compilation of resources for operators of USDA Foods in Schools and child nutrition programs.  

06/17/2021
Resource | Webinars/Videos Creating Healthy Menus Using USDA Foods

In this Oct. 16, 2014, webinar, Christina Riley of FNS provides an overview of USDA Foods nutrition, and Scott Richardson of Project Bread, Laurie Colgan of the Vermont Agency of Education, and Ed Herrera of the Idaho State Department of Education present school meals recipe resources developed by their organizations.

02/11/2015
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2013-0020 Variations in Meal Requirements for Religious Reasons: Jewish Schools, Institutions and Sponsors

This instruction is intended to clarify allowable variations to child nutrition program food components in order to meet religious needs among Jewish schools, institutions and sponsors. 

783-13 Rev. 3
03/27/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2013-0015 USDA Foods Bone-in-Chicken Products

USDA Food and Nutrition Service policy memo SP 26-2013, "Extending Flexibility in the Meat/Meat Alternate and Grains Maximums for School Year 2013-14" extends the flexibility regarding Meat/Meat Alternate (M/MA) maximums for SY 2013-13, allowing state agencies to assess compliance based on the minimum daily and weekly serving requirements only.  

FD-129
03/07/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0014 Fluid Milk and Other Food Components/Menu Items in Reimbursable Lunches

It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion concerning fluid milk, and how it is offered in reimbursable lunches. Under all menu planning approaches, fluid milk is a separate food component/menu item.

SP06-2007
03/21/2007
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-1996-0014 PL 104-193: Changes to Applications for Waivers in the Child Nutrition Programs

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 made a number of changes to the National School Lunch Act which governs the waiver process in the child nutrition programs. This memorandum identifies the changes and provides guidance to be used in developing and submitting waiver requests to the child nutrition division. 

12/02/1996
Page updated: October 14, 2021