FNS Documents & Resources

This final rule updates the meal patterns and nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to align them with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the "national average payments,'' the amount of money the federal government provides states for lunches, afterschool snacks and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the ``maximum reimbursement rates,'' the maximum per lunch rate from federal funds that a state can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution which participates in the Special Milk Program for Children.

USDA published, “Nutrition Standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs” on January 26, 2012. This final rule removes Section I. Formulated Grain-Fruit Products from Appendix A to Part 220 –Alternate Foods for Meals.

The purpose of this memorandum is to streamline the requirements for participation of school food authorities in the at-risk afterschool meals component of CACFP.

Recently, concerns have been raised about school district employees allegedly misrepresenting their incomes on applications to receive free or reduced price school meals for their children.

This memorandum explains the grains requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program and specifically addresses implementation of the ounce equivalencies and definition of whole grain-rich products.

This memo is written in response to a number of concerns brought to our attention by state agencies regarding school food authorities in contracts with food service management companies that allow the FSMC to charge a fixed fee to the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

School food authorities are required to report their paid reimbursable lunch prices to the state agency for FNS publication. This memorandum provides guidance on how to report these prices for SY 2011-12.

This memorandum serves as guidance on the requirements for preventing overt identification of children certified for free or reduced price school meals.

Following the Jan. 26, 2012, issuance of the final rule titled Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, several questions have been raised regarding its effect on current contracts between school food authorities and food service management companies.