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Resource | Technical Assistance School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study: Methods Used to Estimate the Cost of Producing School Meals

This fact sheet summarizes the methods used in the School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study (SNMCS) to collect, process, and analyze data to estimate the cost of producing reimbursable school meals. The methods were based on approaches used in prior USDA studies.

10/19/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study: Methods Used to Examine Student Dietary Intakes

This fact sheet describes the methods used in the School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study (SNMCS) to collect, process, and analyze data on students’ dietary intakes.

10/19/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance School Nutrition & Meal Cost Study: Methods Used to Examine Nutritional Characteristics of School Meals

This fact sheet describes the methods used in the School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study (SNMCS) to collect, process, and analyze data to examine nutritional characteristics of school meals. 

10/19/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance School Nutrition & Meal Cost Study: Plate Waste in School Meals

This factsheet describes the methods used in the School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study (SNMCS) to collect, process, and analyze data to assess plate waste in the school meal programs.

10/19/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance School Nutrition & Meal Cost Study: Study Design & Implementation

The School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study was a comprehensive study of the school meal programs. This fact sheet provides an overview of the design and implementation of the SNMCS, including the research objectives, sample design, data collection approach, and response rates. 

10/19/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Third Access, Participation, Eligibility, And Certification Study (APEC-III), SY 2017-18

This is the third study in the Access, Participation, Eligibility, and Certification study series, conducted in school year 2017-18. FNA relies upon the APEC series to provide reliable, national estimates improper payments made to school districts operating the NSLP and SBP. APEC studies also help identify sources of error and inform FNA policy and technical assistance for state agencies and school food authorities to reduce error. FNA conducted previous iterations of the study in school years 2005-06 and 2012-13.

09/03/2021
Resource | Technical Assistance Offering Meats and Meat Alternates at School Breakfast

This guide shows how to offer meat and meat alternates at school breakfast with menu planning ideas, crediting information, sample menus, and more.

08/10/2021
Basic page Nutrition Standards for School Meals

This page contains regulations, policy memos, and other guidance materials relating to the nutrition standards for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

03/04/2021
Resource | Policy Instructions for Reporting State Administrative Funds for Implementing the New Meal Patterns

To assist state agencies and FNA to better monitor the use of Section 201 funds, as mentioned in our August 15, 2014 memorandum SP60-2014 (Second Extension of Grant Period for State Administrative Funds to Implement New Meal Pattern Requirements), FNA has changed the frequency of financial reporting from annual reporting to quarterly reporting beginning with the fiscal year (FY) 2015.

09/16/2014
Resource | Policy Q&As on the School Breakfast Program Meal Pattern in SY 2014-15

The attached Questions & Answers provide guidance on the meal patterns and dietary specifications for meals offered under the School Breakfast Program. The meal requirements for the SBP were established by the final rule Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

04/28/2014
Page updated: June 02, 2026