FNS Documents & Resources

This final rule implements a legislative provision which requires school food authorities participating in NSLP or SBP to develop a school food safety program for the preparation and service of school meals served to children.

It has come to our attention that there is uncertainty in determining when an income eligibility form has expired and when it needs to be excluded from claiming percentage calculations for CACFP.

The purpose of this memorandum is to update the definition of what is considered “unprocessed” for the purposes of applying the optional geographic preference for procurement in the child nutrition programs.

This memorandum replaces SP 35-2009: Q&As Milk Substitution for Children with Medical or Special Dietary Needs, dated Aug. 13, 2009. We have attached the complete set of questions and answers and highlighted the three additions.

This memorandum clarifies FNS regulations and policies regarding the allowability of requiring payment and soliciting contributions (i.e., "payments" or "pay") in exchange for foods from FNS program participants.

Please be aware that the procurement questions from July 22, 2009 have been revised. This new set of procurement questions supersedes the previous set, as a change has been made to the second Q&A under “Local Purchasing."

This memorandum updates and revises memoranda SP30-2008: Applying Geographic Preferences in Procurements for the Child Nutrition Programs, SP08-2009: Procurement Questions, and SP28-2009: Procurement Questions, regarding school food authorities’ and other institutions’ application of a geographic preference in procurements for the child nutrition programs.

The attached memorandum is a revision of Food Distribution’s Policy Memo FD-080, which includes a more comprehensive and clearer guidance in crediting for, and use of, donated foods in contracts with food service management companies

This final rule incorporates into the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program regulations, statutory provisions set forth in the Farm Bill of 2008. The three provisions include adding honey as an eligible food for purchase with SFMNP  benefits, prohibiting the value of SFMNP benefits from consideration as income or resources when determining eligibility for other programs under any federal, state or local law, and prohibiting the collection of state or local tax on a purchase of food with a benefit distributed under the SFMNP.

This is an affirmation of an interim rule as a final rule amending the FMNP regulations to codify three nondiscretionary provisions - authorize roadside stands, reduce the required amount of state matching funds, and increase the maximum federal benefit level - mandated in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.