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Resource | Policy Guidance on the Interpretation of Discrimination Based on “Sex” in USDA Child Nutrition Programs

USDA has rescinded the Biden Administration’s May 2022 Bostock policy update that sought to require federally-funded food and nutrition service programs to redefine discrimination by reason of “sex” under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as not based on just male or female, but also “gender identity.” Today’s guidance eliminates the illegal threats issued under the Biden Administration that mandated compliance with ever-evolving concepts of gender ideology as a condition for participation in USDA school programs.

07/07/2025
Resource | Technical Assistance Consejos para la acreditación de granos en los Programas de Nutrición Infantil

"Consejos para la acreditación de granos en los Programas de Nutrición Infantil" es una serie de tres partes para los operadores del programa sobre cómo acreditar granos e incorporarlos según los requisitos del patrón de comidas.

09/10/2024
Resource | Guidance Documents Small Entity Compliance Guide

This guide informs small entities participating in child nutrition programs about the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and how to comply with it. This guide does not include any new requirements; it just summarizes existing guidance related to the final rule.

06/27/2024
Resource | Guidance Documents Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for SY 2024-25

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance to state agencies and school food authorities on the paid lunch equity requirements for SY 2024-25. This memorandum explains the PLE exemption provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. This memorandum also provides guidance for SFAs that do not qualify for the exemption.

03/20/2024
Resource | Factsheets Community Eligibility Provision Factsheet

The Community Eligibility Provision is a National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal service option that allows schools and school districts located in high poverty areas to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students.

02/21/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach CEP Planning and Implementation Guidance

A final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision-Increasing Options for Schools (88 FR 65778), was published on Sept. 26, 2023, with an effective date of Oct. 26, 2023, that established the 25 percent minimum ISP threshold.  As a result, more students, households, and schools have the opportunity to experience CEP’s benefits, such as increasing access to school meals at no cost, eliminating unpaid meal charges, minimizing stigma, and streamlining meal service operations.

02/12/2024
Resource | Policy Memos Procuring Local Meat, Poultry, Game and Eggs for Child Nutrition Programs

Recently, FNS has received a number of questions related to buying local meat, poultry, game, and eggs; this memorandum seeks to clarify the regulatory requirements related to food safety and answer specific questions related to these products with a series of questions and answers.

11/20/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance Crediting Grains in Child Nutrition Programs Tip Sheets

Use these as a quick reference and get to know the grains requirements across all the child nutrition programs.

05/23/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance Child Nutrition Programs During Disaster

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, can be devastating to communities and require a quick response. Schools, child care centers, and summer sites that operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, or the Summer Food Service Program can help minimize disruptions to your family.

05/04/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents Prohibition Against Denying Meals and Milk to Children as a Disciplinary Action

This Instruction prohibits the denial of meals and milk as a disciplinary action against any child who is enrolled in a school participating in the child nutrition programs. Such denial of meals or milk is inconsistent with Section 2 and 9 of the National School Lunch Act and Sections 2,3, and 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.

07/12/1988
Page updated: October 14, 2021