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Resource | Data Child Nutrition Tables
11/09/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Results of USDA's FNS-Administered SFA Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation

​The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted school meal operations and has contributed to lasting supply chain issues affecting the cost and availability of food and labor. The School Food Authority Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation was administered to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain disruptions and the return to standard operations during SY 2022–23.

07/25/2023
Resource | FAQs/Q&As | FNS-GD-2007-0022 Questions and Answers on Alternate Protein Products

The term "Alternate Protein Product" is the name used by FNS to identify products meeting requirements set forth in Appendix A of the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and the CACFP within the section entitled Alternate Protein Products.

10/04/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Results of FNS-Administered School Food Authority Survey on Supply Chain Disruption

The School Food Authority Survey on Supply Chain Disruptions was administered by FNS from November 8th through December 13th through a 20-minute online questionnaire. The survey was sent to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs to gather information on the scope of the supply chain disruptions and school meal operations during school year 2021-22.

03/04/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations USDA Summer Meals Study

The Summer Meals Study provides a comprehensive, nationally representative assessment of the two summer meal programs operated by USDA: the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. It is the first national study to simultaneously examine the facilitators and barriers to program participation among participating and nonparticipating families, sponsors, and sites. This study examines the characteristics of participating and nonparticipating children, including sociodemographic characteristics, household food security status, reasons for participation or nonparticipation, and satisfaction with the meals served to children in the summer of 2018. 

10/20/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0060 Questions and Answers Regarding Child Nutrition Program Oversight, Administration, and Reporting During COVID-19

This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to child nutrition program oversight, monitoring, and administration. 

SP10 CACFP09 SFSP05-2021
04/29/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0083 Q&As related to Food Service Management Company Contracts and Allowable Costs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This memorandum includes questions and answers for state agencies and local program operators on flexibilities available under the child nutrition programs during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

SP21 CACFP12 SFSP12-2020
06/03/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0039 Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks: Q&As #3

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators on the operation of the child nutrition programs during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

SP14-2020
04/13/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0073 Q&As on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements

Attached are Q&As on the final rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements (83 FR 63775, Dec. 12, 2018), which provides menu planning flexibilities in the child nutrition programs beginning July 1, 2019.

SP37 CACFP16-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Research | Report to Congress Child Nutrition Reporting Burden Analysis Study

The Child Nutrition Reporting Burden Analysis Study was commissioned by FNS in response to a legislative requirement of House Report 114-531. The study examined challenges faced by SAs and SFAs related to child nutrition program administrative and reporting requirements and identifying those that contribute most to the workload for SAs and SFAs that operate CN programs.

07/02/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021