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Culturally and Religiously Inclusive Foods Offered in FNS Programs

To improve nutrition security, FNS works to ensure all communities have access to foods that support health and well-being. Our goal is to ensure program participants have access to culturally and religiously inclusive foods and that program operators have resources to serve culturally and religiously diverse communities.

Our goal is to:

  • Share culturally and religiously inclusive foods that program operators can order from USDA.
  • Provide access to resources about culturally and religiously inclusive foods offered in nutrition assistance programs.

Child Nutrition Programs

Child nutrition program participants need nourishing meals and snacks to grow and thrive. USDA’s child nutrition programs help to ensure that participants have access to meals and snacks in schools, summer programs, child care centers and homes, adult care centers, and afterschool programs. Local child nutrition program operators are encouraged to consider participants’ cultural food preferences and religious needs when planning and preparing meals and snacks.

school lunch tray featuring a tofu taco, potatoes, oranges, and milk
Tofu Taco from Chicago Public Schools, IL

Resources

Training

Sautéed tofu and broccoli on a plate
Sautéed Tofu and Broccoli
Chicken with Veggie Couscous
Chicken & Veggie Couscous

USDA Foods Programs

USDA Foods are foods purchased from American farmers, dairies, ranchers, and fisheries to support federal nutrition assistance programs and American agriculture. USDA's food distribution programs utilize USDA Foods to provide healthy, nutritious foods to program participants. Commercial purchasing, locally donated foods, and other federal assistance programs may be used to supplement USDA Foods in certain programs.

The Foods Available List (FAL) shows the foods available for state agencies and tribes to order for the USDA Foods programs. FALs are updated yearly and strive to provide a variety of foods that meet the needs of diverse populations.

  • Kosher and halal certified foods are indicated on the FALs with a “K” or “H,” respectively.
  • For the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the FAL has a unique section for traditional foods.
  • On all other FALs, culturally and religiously inclusive foods can be found throughout the lists.

USDA Foods are purchased in full truckload quantities, and state agencies choose which foods are made available for local agencies to order to meet this requirement. If a food is listed on the FAL but the state agency has not made this food available for a school district, food bank, or food pantry to order, please contact the appropriate administering agency for the corresponding food distribution program to provide feedback.

Resources

a cast iron skillit with chicken drumsticks in a red sauce

Training

a bowl of hummus next to a smaller bowl of olive oil and chickpeas

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is the nation’s largest anti-hunger program helping low-income people in the United States stretch their food budget to purchase healthy food at authorized retailers, including online retailers.

SNAP Nutrition Education, or SNAP-Ed, is its nutrition education and obesity prevention program for eligible individuals that promotes healthy food choices and physical activity consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. SNAP-Ed is implemented in all 50 states, DC, and Guam. SNAP-Ed is evidence-based and helps people make their SNAP dollars stretch, teaches them how to cook healthy meals, and lead physically active lifestyles.

SNAP-Ed materials are designed to address the cultural, literacy, language, and income needs of its priority audience.

Resources

Cultural Heritage Months

Culturally Inspired Recipes

young girl eating dinner with her family

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

The WIC program serves to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, shares information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care.

The foods offered in the WIC food packages encourage fruit and vegetable consumption; address key nutritional needs to support healthy dietary patterns; provide flexibility, variety, and choice to accommodate personal and cultural food preferences and special and religious dietary needs of participants; and strengthen support for individual breastfeeding goals to help establish long-term breastfeeding.

Resources

woman wearing a hijab shopping for WIC foods and putting lentils in her basket
Page updated: December 13, 2024