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Resource | Policy Substitution of Vegetables for Fruit Flexibility in the School Breakfast Program: Q&As for Program Operators

On April 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2024 final rule included an optional provision that continues to allow the substitution of vegetables for fruits at breakfast and provides schools with greater menu planning flexibility at breakfast as compared to the previous regulations. This memorandum provides updated guidance on the substitution of vegetables for fruits in the School Breakfast Program.

SP 02-2025
10/07/2024
Resource | Policy Fluid Milk Requirements for School Meals

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The rule finalized practical, science-based, long-term school nutrition requirements based on the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, extensive partner input, and lessons learned from prior rulemakings. This memorandum updates and clarifies current guidance for fluid milk requirements in school meal programs following publication of the 2024 final rule.
 

SP 01-2025
10/07/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach Recurso de granos integrales para el Programa Nacional de Almuerzo Escolar y el Programa de Desayuno Escolar

El Recurso de granos integrales para el Programa Nacional de Almuerzo Escolar y el Programa de Desayuno Escolar es una guía comprensiva para determinar si un producto de grano es rico en grano integral o si es acreditable como enriquecido en las comidas escolares.

FNS-464-S
09/27/2024
Basic page FY 2024 Team Nutrition Training Grants for Meal Pattern Modernization and Retention and Mentorship Opportunities

Grant recipients just announced! Over $8.6 million awarded to eleven state agencies. 

09/17/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 DGAs – Buy American Provisions Webinar

This webinar reviewed the Buy American provision including information related to new regulations, the recently published memo, Buy American Provisions Related to the Final Rule Titled, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the optional Buy American Exceptions tracker.

08/28/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals Today

USDA’s school meal programs are important to millions of children every school day. These meals give children the healthy food they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Many families will need to fill out an application to find out if they can get free or reduced price meals.

08/28/2024
Resource | Policy Comment Request - National School Lunch Program

FNS is publishing a 30-Day Notice for this final rule submission because the agency changed how the requirements and burden changes were submitted for approval in the final rule from what was used in the proposed rule

08/27/2024
Resource | Policy School Meals Operations Study

The updated survey will collect timely data on policy, administrative, and operational issues for the CN programs.

08/22/2024
Basic page The Road to Successful Menu Planning for School Meals Training Series

This training series is designed to assist school food authorities, State agencies, and others in implementing the updated nutrition standards for school meals.

08/19/2024
Basic page Back to School Toolkit

You are invited to share these messages and resources about how school meals help empower children to grow, learn and thrive.

08/16/2024
Page updated: October 14, 2021