FNS Documents & Resources

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.

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.

FD-119 provides clarification for the option to combine the solicitation of procurement of end products and commercial food products. Some school food authorities  may solicit bids for procurement of end products in their solicitation for procurement of commercial food products from commercial distributors, rather than conducting two separate solicitations. 

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.

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.

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.

The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by adding paragraph (l), the Food Donation Program at the end of Section 9.

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.