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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 | Newsletters USDA Foods e-Letters

USDA Foods from Farm to Plate e-letters feature resources, news, and best practices, rotating our monthly focus between a trio of program-specific e-letters.

11/07/2023
Resource | Toolkits USDA Foods Toolkit for Child Nutrition Programs

The USDA Foods Toolkit is a collection of valuable resources to assist child nutrition professionals in effectively using their USDA Food entitlement and to help them educate students, staff, and the community about the healthy contributions that USDA Foods provide to their meal programs.

10/20/2023
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 | 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 | Webinars/Videos Everything You Need to Know about GS1 GDSN! Accessing Nutrient, Allergen and Ingredient Information for USDA Foods in Schools

This webinar is intended for states and school districts that serve direct delivered USDA Foods for child nutrition programs.

08/05/2021
Resource | Success Stories USDA Foods in Schools Photo Contest

Each year we ask child nutrition professionals to inspire other foodservice professionals and submit a picture of your most creative meal utilizing USDA Foods.  With more than 200 USDA Foods items available, we want to highlight each food group and the innovative ways in which they can be used.

06/25/2021
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 New Requirements for USDA Vendors: Reporting of Nutrition, Allergen, and Ingredient Information for USDA Foods in Schools

This webinar is intended for vendors that supply USDA Foods. 

03/31/2021
Resource | Guidance Documents Instruction 709-5: Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods

This instruction establishes the general standards and procedures that the state distributing agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods, and conveys established responsibilities for other entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers.

FNS Instruction 709-5
03/13/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021