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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 & Guidance | FNS-GD-2018-0001 Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs

The Food Buying Guide for child nutrition programs has all of the current information in one manual to help you and your purchasing agent buy the right amount of food and the appropriate type of food for your program(s), and determine the specific contribution each food makes toward the meal pattern requirements.

07/11/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review

The Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review includes the 2019 Farm to School Census; a descriptive review of the USDA Farm to School grant program; a review of published research on farm to school since 2010; and a set of interviews with school food distributors. 

07/15/2021
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 | 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 | Technical Assistance Directions for Menu Worksheet

FNS menu worksheet is a tool designed to assist school food authorities in demonstrating that each of the menus meets the new meal pattern for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

08/02/2012
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2009-0048 School Garden Q&As

Recently, we have received several questions regarding the operation of a school garden. Attached are questions and answers to address this issue. As in the past, please share this information with your school food authorities.

SP32-2009
07/29/2009
Page updated: October 14, 2021