Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Updates to the School Nutrition Standards

This final rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans - is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security.

04/24/2024
Resource | Infographics Implementation Timeline for Updating the School Meal Standards

School meals will continue to include fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, and give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy, tasty meals. For the first time, schools will focus on products with less added sugar, especially in school breakfast.

04/24/2024
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 | Webinars/Videos CNP Integrity Final Rule: School Meal Programs Provisions Webinar

This webinar gives an overview of the rulemaking process, highlights specific regulatory changes and provisions that impact the school meal programs, and provides information regarding resources for the final rule.

01/19/2024
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance IFMS Demos and Tutorials

The following videos are available to demonstrate functionality and provide tutorials for specific activities in IFMS. 

10/18/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Integrated Food Management System (IFMS)

The Integrated Food Management System replaces the legacy, Automated Inventory System. IFMS consolidates food distribution transactions into a seamless, easy-to-use cloud-based platform.

10/11/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents FDPIR Monthly Distribution Guide Rates By Household Size

FNS Handbook 501, Exhibit O shows the FDPIR monthly distribution guide rates by household size effective Sept. 1, 2023. This document is commonly referred to as the "FDPIR Guide Rate."  

FNS Handbook 501, Exhibit O
08/16/2023
Resource | Forms FNS-525: State Administrative Expense Funds Reallocation Report

FNS-525 State Administrative Expense Funds Reallocation Report

03/08/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Rural Designations in the Summer Meal Programs - Revised

The purpose of this memorandum is to revise guidance on rural designations in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option (SSO). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized a permanent non-congregate meal service option through the SFSP and SSO for children who live in rural communities with no congregate meal service. This memorandum supersedes SFSP policy memorandum SFSP 17-2015, Rural Designations in the Summer Food Service Program – Revised, April 21, 2017.

SFSP 04-2024, SP 06-2024
03/06/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides notice to child nutrition program operators regarding the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, enacted on Dec. 29, 2022. 

SP 06-2023, CACFP 05-2023, SFSP 02-2023
03/03/2023
Page updated: October 14, 2021