Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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 | Webinars/Videos Overview of the Keep Kids Fed Act and New Supply Chain Assistance Funding

A webinar for state agencies providing an overview of provisions included in the new Keep Kids Fed Act legislation and Supply Chain Assistance funding. 

07/06/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Transitioning to Normal Child Nutrition Operations: Additional Waiver Opportunities

A webinar for state agencies about tools available to aid in the transition back to normal child nutrition program operations.

05/12/2022
Resource | Policy Memos Nationwide Waivers of Child Nutrition Monitoring

FNS has used its authority under FFRCA to waive certain onsite monitoring requirements for the school meals programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, so that programs can to maintain program integrity and support social distancing while providing meals. 

11/12/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance | FNS-GD-2020-0131 USDA Foods Program Disaster Manual

This manual contains important information for persons in FNS headquarters, FNS regional offices, and distributing agencies, which include state distributing agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations that are charged with the responsibility of providing USDA Foods to disaster relief organizations in the event of a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress.

06/03/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0172 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option - Extension 8

FNS waives, for all states, the requirements to serve SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option meals that meet the meal pattern requirements during the public health emergency due to COVID–19. This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Summer Food Service Program – Extension 7, granted on Aug. 31, 2020, that expires on Dec. 31, 2020.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #63
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos CN - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 3

This waiver extends until June 30, 2021, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 2. It applies to state agencies administrating, and local organizations operating, the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0147 CN - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – Extension 3

This waiver extends the nationwide waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children - Extension, granted on May 14, 2020 until Sept. 30, 2020, or for the duration of summer operations, whichever is earlier. This waiver extension applies to the NSLP Seamless Summer Option and the SFSP.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #47
08/20/2020
Resource | Webinars/Videos Disaster Preparedness: The Role of USDA Foods in Disasters

In this webinar, we discuss what actions you can take and the resources available to be better prepared for a disaster when utilizing USDA Foods.

06/07/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2018-0016 Child Nutrition Program Waiver Request Guidance and Protocol- Revised

This memorandum revises the current USDA Food and Nutrition Service process for state agencies and eligible service providers seeking a waiver of statutory or regulatory program requirements for the child nutrition programs, including the CACFP, the SFSP, the NSLP, the FFVP, the SMP, and the SBP. 

SP15 CACFP12 SFSP05-2018
05/24/2018
Page updated: October 14, 2021