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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 | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0039 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in SY 2021-22

This waiver allows school food authorities to claim National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option meals and snacks at the Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rates. This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option in school year 2021-22. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #86
04/20/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0026 Voluntary Menu Labeling in the NSLP and SBP

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the final rule, Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments in the Federal Register (79 FR 71155) on Dec. 1, 2014.

05/19/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0022 Determining Eligibility for Two Cent Differential Reimbursement in New Schools

Section 4 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act provides general cash for food assistance payments to states to assist schools in purchasing food. The NSLA provides two different section 4 payment levels for lunches served under the NSLP.

SP30-2014
03/28/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2013-0005 Quarterly Reporting Associated with School Food Authority Certification for Performance-Based Reimbursement

This memorandum provides information regarding the state agencies’ quarterly reporting requirements associated with identifying the number of school food authorities certified to receive the performance-based reimbursement for each lunch served in compliance with the new meal pattern requirements for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

SP20-2013
01/22/2013
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2010-0037 Reimbursement For Meals or Milk Served to Continuous School Calendar Students

This Instruction sets forth the policy on reimbursement for meals or milk served to continuous school calendar students.  

FNS Instruction 786-9 Rev. 2
10/26/2010
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0047 Alternate Menu Planning Approaches – Calorie and Nutrient Standards

This memorandum clarifies FNS policy regarding the calorie and nutrient requirements for meals planned using alternate menu planning approaches.

SP03-2008
11/19/2007
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0014 Fluid Milk and Other Food Components/Menu Items in Reimbursable Lunches

It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion concerning fluid milk, and how it is offered in reimbursable lunches. Under all menu planning approaches, fluid milk is a separate food component/menu item.

SP06-2007
03/21/2007
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-1999-0016 Reimbursement under the NSLP for Snacks Served in After School Care Programs Operated by Residential Child Care Institutions

The Jan. 14, 1999, memorandum implementing the after school snack provision of the Child Nutrition Programs’ reauthorization legislation stated that RCCIs would not be eligible for this benefit. To address these situations, we are authorizing RCCIs to participate in the after school snack program.

08/18/1999
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-1988-0011 Reimbursement For Off Site Meal Consumption

This Instruction sets forth the policy with respect to reimbursement of meals consumed off-site under the National School Lunch, Commodity School, and School Breakfast Programs. 

06/06/1988
Page updated: October 14, 2021