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Resource | Infographics How We Got Here: School Nutrition Standards Final Rule

School nutrition professionals continue to make school meals the healthiest meals children eat in a day! To take school meals to the next level, USDA is updating the school nutrition standards after considering recommendations from the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and listening to a diverse range of voices with experience in child nutrition and health.

04/24/2024
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 | 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 | Technical Assistance & Guidance USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

The USDA DoD Fresh program allows schools and ITOs to buy fresh produce. The program is operated by the Defense Logistics Agency at DoD. 

07/12/2022
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 | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0173 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – Extension 2

Under this waiver, for all states, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option closed enrolled sites during the COVID-19 public health emergency may determine site eligibility through area eligibility without collecting income eligibility applications.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #64
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0169 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. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #60
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 | Webinars/Videos COVID-19 Guidance for Managing USDA Foods Inventories in SY 2020-2021

This webinar provides guidance on flexibilities available to help you manage USDA Foods in Schools during these unprecedented times due to COVID-19. Topics include information on USDA Foods direct delivered products, USDA Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and the National Processing Program. We cover some actions you can take to assist with utilization of USDA Foods inventories and minimize food loss. This webinar is intended for state distributing agency and FNS regional office staff who manage USDA Foods in Schools programs.

09/11/2020
Resource | Webinars/Videos It's a New School Year: What's Happening with USDA Foods in Schools

This webinar highlights recent updates and provides guidance on managing USDA Foods in Schools, including information on the USDA Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and National Processing Program. We cover updates on allocating funds and adding new sites to USDA DoD Fresh, monitoring USDA Foods inventories, and details on SY 2020-2021 entitlement calculations, including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Opt-In Waiver for School Year 2020- 2021 National School Lunch Program USDA Foods Entitlement Calculations.

08/11/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021