Professional Standards for school nutrition professionals is a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). The final rule, published March 2, 2015, requires a minimum amount of annual training hours for all state directors of school nutrition programs, state director of distributing agencies, school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff. Required training topic areas will vary according to position and job requirements. There are also minimum hiring standards for new state directors of school nutrition programs, state directors of distributing agencies that oversee USDA Foods, and school nutrition program directors.
In developing the final professional standards, USDA considered input from a variety of sources, including representatives from state agencies, school districts, and school nutrition professional associations. FNS carefully reviewed all public comments and listened to the concerns of stakeholders.
Regulations
- Final Rule: Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
- Correction to Final Rule
- Professional Standards Summary of Updates Flyer
- Final Rule: Hiring Flexibility under Professional Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions (SP 05-2020)