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Basic page Commercial Recalls Affecting Schools

The following message contains important information about two commercial recalls that may affect schools. These recalls do not involve USDA Foods.

10/06/2025
Resource | Technical Assistance Decision Tree: Industry Guide to Publishing K-12 Product Information to USDA Databases

This decision tree assists industry K-12 product manufacturers on how to  publish their product data to the Child Nutrition Database and the USDA Foods Database. 

02/12/2025
Resource | Policy Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Q&As #3

This memorandum provides additional clarification on questions received from state agencies and program stakeholders. It also includes guidance on integrity measures for non-congregate meal service operations. 

01/10/2025
Basic page Child Nutrition Database

The Child Nutrition Database is a required part of the nutrient analysis software approved by USDA for use in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. 

12/16/2024
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
Basic page Back to School Toolkit

You are invited to share these messages and resources about how school meals help empower children to grow, learn and thrive.

08/16/2024
Resource | Policy Geographic Preference Option Questions and Answers Memo

Geographic Preference Option Questions and Answers

07/03/2024
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
Basic page Comparison Chart of the 2023 Proposed and 2024 Final Rule Requirements for School Meal Programs

This comparison chart provides a brief overview of proposed and final provisions included in the 2024 final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

04/24/2024
Resource | Technical Assistance Updates to the School Nutrition Standards

This final rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans - is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals.

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