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Resource | Toolkits Tools for Schools

Tools for Schools offers topic-specific policy and resource materials to assist schools in meeting the new nutrition standards. Refer to the latest regulations, find free nutrition education curricula, or get ideas for adding tasty, kid-friendly foods to enhance your school meals program.

05/16/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FD-152: Discontinuance of the High Security Seal Requirement for USDA Foods Deliveries

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will discontinue the requirement for vendors to use high security seals to secure USDA Foods deliveries as of July 1, 2023. 

04/05/2023
Resource | Fact Sheets USDA Foods General Recommendations: Handwashing, Cleaning, and Disinfecting for Household Program Operators

These handouts provide general recommendations on handwashing, cleaning, and disinfecting, to operators of USDA Foods household programs including CSFP, TEFAP, and FDPIR. 

05/26/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0064 Donated Food Storage, Distribution, and Product Dating

This memorandum is meant to provide clarification and guidance on policies and procedures for donated food storage and distribution as they relate to product dating.

FD-107
11/21/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0046 2017 Edition of Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs

Attached is the 2017 Edition of Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs. This guide provides guidance on the requirement for school food authorities to ensure equal access to Program benefits for children with disabilities, which includes providing special meals to children with a disability that restricts their diet.

SP40-2017
07/25/2017
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0067 Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs

This policy memorandum includes important updates to requirements related to accommodating children with disabilities participating in the school meal programs.

SP59-2016
09/27/2016
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2014-0045 Responding to Food Recall Procedures for Recalls of USDA Foods

This manual was developed to provide an overview of the recall process for USDA Foods with a focus on school meals programs.

05/30/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0014 New Q&As Related to the Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the NSLP

Attached are revised Questions and Answers related to the final rule entitled, Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

SP26-2014
03/14/2014
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: Certification of Compliance With Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the HHFKA of 2010

This final rule adopts, with some revisions, changes to the NSLP regulations, as set forth in the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 27, 2012. The changes conform to requirements contained in the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010 regarding performance-based cash assistance for school food authorities certified compliant with meal pattern and nutrition standards.

01/03/2014
Resource | Technical Assistance Software Approval Material for Alternates to USDA Certification Worksheets

These materials were compiled to assist companies who are developing or revising certification of compliance/menu planning software for USDA to approve for use in certification of compliance with the National School Lunch Program meal pattern requirements.

07/01/2013
Page updated: October 14, 2021