FNS Documents & Resources

This factsheet gives examples, tips, and information for putting local meat on school menus.  

This factsheet explains how USDA Foods support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the school meal pattern requirements to make it easier for schools to prepare healthy meals using local foods.

This fact sheet provides information on how to use USDA DoD Fresh to purchase local produce.

Factsheets are available under the following topics: Farm to School Grant Program, Farm to School Program Resources, Local Food Resources, School Gardens, Farm to School in Tribal Communities, Food Safety, Producers, Farm to Preschool. Farm to Summer, State Agencies and Cooperative Extensions, En Español.

The USDA awards grants annually to help connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. This fact sheet gives an overview of the Farm to School Grant Program and highlights Farm to School grantee projects.

This fact sheet features the various paths a school can take to bring local foods into the cafeteria with your next food purchase. 

This fact sheet explores how schools and tribes are integrating traditional foods into child nutrition programs.

This Geographic Preference fact sheet reviews the topic of geographic preference and how it can be used to purchase local foods.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, limits the amount of resources that a household may have and still receive SNAP benefits. Resources can include, but are not limited to, cash and funds in checking or savings accounts.

The Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (DoD Fresh) allows schools to use their USDA Foods entitlement dollars to buy fresh produce. The program, operated by DoD’s Defense Logistics Agency, began in school year (SY) 1994-1995 as a pilot in eight states. As of 2013, schools in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam participate; schools are anticipated to receive more than $100 million worth of produce through the program during SY 2012-2013.