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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0121 Allocation of Supply Chain Assistance Funds to Alleviate Supply Chain Disruptions in the School Meal Programs

This guidance describes $1 billion being provided by FNS to enhance local school districts’ ability to purchase foods for school meals by offering resources needed to address supply chain challenges directly to schools and school districts.

SP 03-2022
12/17/2021
Resource | Fact Sheets Supply Chain Assistance for Schools

To help schools deal with supply chain challenges brought on by the pandemic, USDA is providing up to: $1 billion in Supply Chain Assistance funds for schools to purchase food for their meal programs, $300 million for states to purchase USDA Foods to distribute to schools, and $200 million for cooperative agreements to purchase local foods for schools, focusing on historically underused producers.

12/17/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Best Practices for Handling Fresh Produce in Schools

This resource discusses the best practices associated with handling fresh produce in schools, and includes information throughout the purchasing and receiving, washing and preparation, hand hygiene, serving, and storage of fresh produce. The resource also includes recommendations for specific fruits and vegetables. 

11/24/2021
Resource | Product Information USDA Foods in Schools Product Information Sheets - Grains

USDA Foods in Schools product information sheets containing USDA Foods description and WBSCM ID for grains. 

11/23/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Food Safety Tips for School Gardens

This resource provides information about food safety issues in school gardens. It addresses topics such as site selection, materials, cand water use; chemical and fertilizer use; compost and manure use; growing and harvesting produce; using school garden produce in your school meals program and addressing community donations. 

11/22/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Ensuring Traceability of Fresh Produce

A resource titled "Ensuring Traceability of Fresh Produce" outlines the responsibilities of school nutrition professionals, distributors, school gardens and farm and produce cooperatives in terms of traceability for fresh produce. 

11/22/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Handling Fresh Produce on Salad Bars

A fact sheet, with information about handling fresh produce on salad bars, includes information for preparation and set up, temperature control, supervision and clean up. 

11/22/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Handling Fresh Produce in Classrooms

Fact sheets, with information about handling fresh produce in classrooms, are available for both school nutrition staff and teachers and aids. 

11/22/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Food Safety Practices to Expect from Your Fresh Produce Distributor

This resource provides information about fresh produce distribution operations and food safety practices. The resource outlines background information, definitions, steps and questions to ask during a fresh produce distributor visit and specific food safety discussion topics. 

11/22/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Take Advantage of Nature’s Bounty: Consider Vacuum Seal

A fact sheet that identifies what school nutrition operators should consider when using a vacuum seal packaging system to ensure safe and quality products. 

11/22/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021