Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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 | Technical Assistance & Guidance Nutrition Standards for School Meals

This page contains regulations, policy memos, and other guidance materials relating to the nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

03/11/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Everything You Need to Know about GS1 GDSN! Accessing Nutrient, Allergen and Ingredient Information for USDA Foods in Schools

This webinar is intended for states and school districts that serve direct delivered USDA Foods for child nutrition programs.

08/05/2021
Resource | Guidance Documents Instruction 709-5: Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods

This instruction establishes the general standards and procedures that the state distributing agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods, and conveys established responsibilities for other entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers.

FNS Instruction 709-5
03/13/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2016-0045 Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies

The purpose of this memorandum is to address the need for school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to institute and clearly communicate a meal charge policy, which would include, if applicable, the availability of alternate meals.

SP46-2016
07/08/2016
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2014-0011 School Food Authorities Purchasing Produce from Department of Defense Vendors using Section 4 and 11 FFVP Funds

This memorandum clarifies how school food authorities may use funds provided under Sections 4 and 11 or 19 of the National School Lunch Act to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program vendors.

FD-133
03/06/2014
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0030 Direct Certification Benchmarks and Continuous Improvement Plans

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement provisions contained in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 which establish direct certification rate benchmarks for states and require continuous improvement plans from states that do not meet the benchmarks.

SP32-2011
04/28/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0028 Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 modifies requirements for fluid milk in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the implementation of these modifications.

SP29-2011
04/14/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0017 Cooperation with Program Research and Evaluation of Child Nutrition Programs

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010  clarifies requirements for participation in evaluations and research in the child nutrition programs. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on the implementation of this provision

SP22 CACFP13 SFSP08-2011
03/08/2011
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2011-0003 Letter Method for Direct Certification

The purpose of this memorandum is to implement a provision affecting mandatory direct certification for children in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households.

SP13-2011
01/14/2011
Page updated: October 14, 2021