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Resource | Policy Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides notice to child nutrition program operators regarding the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (the 2025 Appropriations Act), March 15, 2025. This applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the USDA FNS child nutrition programs.

05/14/2025
Resource | Policy Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that included minor updates to CACFP and SFSP to better align child nutrition program requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthening the CNPs, and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. 

12/30/2024
Resource | Policy Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service requests comments from the public to obtain input to help inform future policymaking, guidance, and technical assistance related to grain-based desserts and high-protein yogurt crediting in child nutrition programs.

12/26/2024
Resource | Research and Data School Food Authority Survey III on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation

The third annual survey of School Food Authorities found that 95 percent of SFAs faced supply-chain related challenges in school year (SY) 2023-24, but that the number of reported challenges and impacts they have on school food service have largely declined compared to SY 2022-23. This report is the third in the series and, like the others, reports findings from a 20-minute online questionnaire sent to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain challenges

12/10/2024
Basic page NSLP Short and Long Week Meal Pattern Calculations

Meal pattern calculations for short and long weeks. This applies to schools who regularly operate on a shorter or longer weekly cycle.

12/04/2024
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 | Webinars/Videos Webinar on Final Rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 DGAs

A webinar for state agency and school food authority staff focused on the Final Rule: Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines For Americans. 

06/05/2024
Resource | Policy Initial Implementation Memorandum: Child Nutrition Programs - Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 DGAs

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This rule includes minor updates to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program to better align Child Nutrition Program requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutrition quality of school meals, strengthening the Child Nutrition Programs, and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. 

05/14/2024
Resource | Federal Register Notices Final Rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 DGAs

This rulemaking finalizes long-term school nutrition requirements based on the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, robust stakeholder input, and lessons learned from prior rulemakings.

04/25/2024
Resource | Webinars/Videos 2024 Updates to the School Nutrition Standards – Overview

Schools provide some of the healthiest meals that kids eat which play an important role in providing the nutrition they need to grow and learn and school meals are about to get even better We know you want the best for our nation's children and USDA is investing in school meals to make them even healthier over the next several years.

04/24/2024
Page updated: October 14, 2021