The purpose of this Instruction is to establish and convey policy and provide guidance and direction to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and its recipients and customers, and ensure compliance with and enforcement of the prohibition against discrimination in all FNS nutrition programs and activities, whether federally funded in whole or not.
This Instruction sets forth the criteria to be used to determine acceptable grains/breads, the criteria to be used to determine equivalent minimum serving sizes, and examples of foods that qualify as grains/breads for meals served under the food-based menu planning alternatives in all child nutrition programs
This Instruction clarifies which types of milk may be used to fulfill the milk component requirement of the child nutrition programs.
This Instruction outlines the policy for food substitutions and other modifications in the meal patterns necessary to meet the dietary requirements of program participants with handicaps and with other special dietary needs.
The purpose of this FNS Instruction is to provide guidance regarding the number of applications that must be reviewed by state agencies conducting verification of eligibility for free and reduced price meals under the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
CACFP has long been recognized for its nutritional goals of providing nutritious meals to children and helping them establish good eating habits at a young age. Family style meal service provides a further opportunity to enhance these goals by encouraging a pleasant eating environment that will support and promote mealtime as a learning experience.
Sections 226.6 (d) and (e) of the CACFP regulations require that state agencies establish procedures to annually review information submitted by institutions to ensure that all participating facilities meet program licensing/approval requirements.
Section 226.23 (h) requires states to conduct follow-up reviews when the verification process reveals that deficiencies in eligibility determinations or application procedures exceed certain levels established by FNS.
This Instruction provides policy guidance regarding allowable costs related to the distribution of bonus commodities by sponsors of family day care homes in the CACFP.
This Instruction clarifies those areas in the CACFP regulations where the approval of FNS is required before an action can be initiated. In some cases, the FNS regional office will grant final approval.