FNS Documents & Resources

This factsheet provides information on "Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.".

This fact sheet provides information on Good Agricultural Practices, recognized practices intended to prevent the microbial contamination of fresh produce, and how these practices apply to purchasing and growing local food products for farm to school activities. 

This fact sheet outlines a number of additional resources for those seeking to directly purchase or raise food products for school nutrition programs.

USDA Foods Available List for CSFP.

The Farm to School Census checklist has suggestions for school food authorities to prepare for the Farm to School Census.

USDA continues to work with state child nutrition agencies to offer flexibilities in response to public health needs while still promoting nutritious meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Farm to School Census is a survey of farm to school activities, including local food procurement and nutrition education.  This document provides additional clarification for school food authorities (SFAs) on the Farm to School Census and the data collection process.

The Professional Standards Summary of Updates flyer provides an overview of the professional standards requirements which consist of hiring standards and annual training requirements for state directors of school nutrition programs, state director of distributing agencies, school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff.

El boletín de resumen de las actualizaciones de los estándares profesionales proporciona un informe acerca de los requisitos de los estándares profesionales e incluye los criterios de contratación y los requisitos de capacitación anual para directores estatales de programas de nutrición escolar, directores estatales de agencias distribuidoras, directores de programas de nutrición escolar, gerentes y personal.

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 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program and highlights Farm to School grantee projects.