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Resource | Infographics Implementation Timeline for Updating the School Meal Standards

School meals will continue to include fruits and vegetables, emphasize whole grains, and give kids the right balance of nutrients for healthy, tasty meals. For the first time, schools will focus on products with less added sugar, especially in school breakfast.

04/24/2024
Resource | Infographics How We Got Here: School Nutrition Standards Final Rule

School nutrition professionals continue to make school meals the healthiest meals children eat in a day! To take school meals to the next level, USDA is updating the school nutrition standards after considering recommendations from the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans and listening to a diverse range of voices with experience in child nutrition and health.

04/24/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach Implementation Timeline for Updated Nutrition Requirements in CACFP & SFSP

Provisions in the final rule that could impact CACFP and/or SFSP.

04/24/2024
Resource | Policy Revised: Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the School Meal Programs, CACFP, and SFSP

This memorandum provides updated guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and extends previous guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products to the Summer Food Service Program, as well as to the infant meal pattern in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

11/29/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach Offer vs Serve High School Lunch Poster

This poster is designed to educate high school students in selecting a reimbursable lunch under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach Offer vs Serve Middle School Lunch Poster

This poster is designed to educate middle school students in selecting a reimbursable lunch under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach Offer vs Serve Elementary School Lunch Poster

This poster is designed to educate elementary school students  in selecting a reimbursable lunch under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance Nutrition Standards for CACFP Meals and Snacks

Guidance, resources, best practices, and training for CACFP operators to support them in providing healthy, balanced meals and snacks to the children and adults they serve.

09/21/2023
Resource | Tools and Applications USDA Approved Certification of Compliance Tools and Software

This is the official list of the only tools authorized to certify schools as eligible for the additional performance-based reimbursement.

09/12/2023
Basic page Certification of Compliance

The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act initially provided an additional 6-cents per lunch reimbursement to school food authorities that were certified to be in compliance with the new meal patterns. The increased reimbursement, a significant investment in improving the quality of school meals, became available starting Oct.1, 2012. School food authorities that continue to maintain compliance with meal requirements continue to receive this performance based funding which is adjusted annually if needed. The current performance based reimbursement rate is 9-cents per reimbursable lunch.

08/18/2023
Page updated: October 14, 2021