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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 | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2018-0049 Update of Food Crediting in the Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum informs stakeholders on the progress made by FNS in updating the food crediting system for all child nutrition programs. This is a first step towards improving the crediting system to best address today’s evolving food and nutrition environment and meet the needs of those operating and benefiting from the CNPs.

SP08 CACFP02 SFSP02-2019
12/04/2018
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2015-0026 Voluntary Menu Labeling in the NSLP and SBP

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the final rule, Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments in the Federal Register (79 FR 71155) on Dec. 1, 2014.

05/19/2015
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2013-0004 Separation of Vegetables/Fruit in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs

The Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs final rule was published on Jan. 26, 2012. The final rule requires that fruits and vegetables be offered as separate meal components in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs.

SP37-2012
01/18/2013
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2012-0073 Revised Meat/Meat Alternates and Milk Charts in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs

Attached are the Revised Meat/Meat Alternates and Milk charts of the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

SP16-2013
12/14/2012
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0047 Alternate Menu Planning Approaches – Calorie and Nutrient Standards

This memorandum clarifies FNS policy regarding the calorie and nutrient requirements for meals planned using alternate menu planning approaches.

SP03-2008
11/19/2007
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2007-0014 Fluid Milk and Other Food Components/Menu Items in Reimbursable Lunches

It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion concerning fluid milk, and how it is offered in reimbursable lunches. Under all menu planning approaches, fluid milk is a separate food component/menu item.

SP06-2007
03/21/2007
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2006-0005 Implementing the Revised School Meal Recipes

The recipes from the 1988 Quantity Recipes for School Food Service and the 1995 Tool Kit for Healthy School Meals were revised using updated yields from the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs and using the 2005 Food Code for the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. 

SP10-2006
01/18/2006
Page updated: October 14, 2021