FNS Documents & Resources

The Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health and Human Services issued a tri-agency letter outlining the categorical eligibility of children and youth in foster care for free school meals.

This memorandum notifies state agencies and local program operators of recently updated rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission regarding the calculation of discount rates under the E-Rate program for schools electing the Community Eligibility Provision.

During this webinar, Maggie Gosselin from USDA's Farm to School Program will discuss the different ways schools may choose to use a forward contract when purchasing local foods. We'll also hear from Megan Kemple, a practitioner in Oregon, who has successfully used forward contracts to buy local products.

During the last webinar in the twelve-part series, recorded on June 26, 2014, the USDA Farm to School Program offers a speedy recap of the variety of ways districts can purchase local foods, and talks through an example of how one district is tying it all together with a comprehensive local purchasing program. Deborah Kane, the National Director of USDA's Farm to School Program, wraps up the webinar by showing us how local procurement fits into the larger farm to school picture and shares several resources that are available to help you meet your local purchasing goals.

On this webinar recorded on May 22, the USDA Farm to School Team turns its attention to USDA Foods. We discuss the history of the program and four ways USDA Foods can support districts in their local purchasing efforts. The Vermont Agency of Education shares how they have integrated USDA Foods into their local purchasing efforts.

Under the Community Eligibility Provision, schools do not collect or process meal applications for free and reduced-price meals served in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Schools must serve all meals at no cost with any costs in excess of the federal reimbursement paid from non-federal sources.