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Resource | Policy Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Q&As

This guidance updates previously issued questions and answers to clarify the rural non-congregate summer meals option established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, and codified through the interim final rulemaking, Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs

SFSP 07-2024, SP 13-2024
02/22/2024
Resource | Policy Memos Implementation Guidance for the Rural Non-congregate Option Provisions of the Interim Final Rule, Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs

This memorandum includes key information on the new regulatory requirements for non-congregate summer meal service in rural areas.

SFSP 03-2024, SP 05-2024
01/17/2024
Resource | Info Sheets USDA Support for School Meals

USDA support for school meals in fiscal years 2021-2024. 

10/26/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Unique Entity Identifier Transition

In April 2022, federal agencies transitioned from use of the DUNS number to the Unique Entity Identifier. Child Nutrition Program Operators are required to have the UEI to receive payments from state agencies who administer the child nutrition programs on behalf of the federal government. This memorandum provides answers to questions related to the transition.

SP 07-2023, CACFP 06-2023, SFSP 04-2023
03/20/2023
Resource | Webinars/Videos School Meals Standards: 2023 Proposed Rule Stakeholder Briefing

FNS held a stakeholder briefing that outlines the changes the proposed rule, entitled “Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,” makes to the school meals nutrition standards.

02/14/2023
Resource | Infographics The Road Ahead: Taking School Meals to the Next Level

USDA and the Biden Administration are committed to supporting nutrition security – consistent access to nutritious foods that promote good health – through the federal nutrition assistance programs. School nutrition professionals have made incredible strides in strengthening child nutrition over the past decade; research shows school meals are the healthiest meals children eat in a day! 

02/03/2023
Resource | Infographics Proposed Implementation Timeline for Updating the School Meal Standards

USDA is proposing science-based updates to the school meal standards to make them even more nourishing for kids, yet feasible for our school meal partners.  This infographic shows the proposed implementation timeline for updating the school meal standards. 

02/03/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance School Nutrition Standards Media Toolkit

Media toolkit for USDA proposed updates to the school nutrition standards in a few key areas to give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy and appealing meals. 

01/31/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Third Allocation of Supply Chain Assistance Funds to Alleviate Supply Chain Disruptions in the School Meal Programs

This guidance outlines an additional $471.5 million 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.

SP16-2022
09/20/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0032 Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs: State Agency Implementation Plan Template and Q&A Guidance

This memorandum announces the release of the state agency supplemental implementation plan templates for use in the Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs.

SP09 CACFP07-2021
03/15/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021