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Resource | Policy Offer versus Serve Flexibilities for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program

Under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA is prioritizing the clarification of statutory, regulatory, and administrative requirements of the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

06/02/2025
Resource | Training and Outreach Today's Breakfast Poster

The Team Nutrition school breakfast poster is designed for school nutrition programs to display daily breakfast menu options and remind students to eat a variety of foods while building a reimbursable meal.

02/12/2025
Resource | Training and Outreach OVS Middle/High School Breakfast Poster

This poster is used educate middle and high school students in selecting a reimbursable breakfast under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach OVS Elementary School Breakfast Poster

This poster is used to educate elementary students in selecting a reimbursable breakfast under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach Offer vs Serve Breakfast Program Tip Sheet

This tip sheet was designed for school foodservice professionals to provide an overview of Offer versus Serve guidance for breakfast meal service.

09/25/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance Offer Versus Serve Materials

These materials can be used as tools to educate students and school nutrition professionals on Offer vs Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Policy Updated Offer vs Serve Guidance for the NSLP and SBP Beginning SY 2015-16

Offer versus Serve is a provision in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program that allows students to decline some of the food offered. The goals of OVS are to reduce food waste in the school meals programs while permitting students to decline foods they do not intend to eat. 

07/21/2015
Resource | Policy Variations in Meal Requirements for Religious Reasons: Jewish Schools, Institutions and Sponsors

This instruction is intended to clarify allowable variations to child nutrition program food components in order to meet religious needs among Jewish schools, institutions and sponsors. 

03/27/2013
Resource | Training and Outreach Updated Offer versus Serve Guidance for the NSLP and SBP in SY 2013-14

This guidance replaces the 2004 edition of the Offer versus Serve in the School Nutrition Programs Resource Guide. In addition, please note that this guidance will be revised for School Year 2014-15 and beyond to reflect newly implemented meal pattern requirements as they are phased in.

01/01/2013
Resource | Policy Fluid Milk and Other Food Components/Menu Items in Reimbursable Lunches

It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion concerning fluid milk, and how it is offered in reimbursable lunches. Under all menu planning approaches, fluid milk is a separate food component/menu item.

03/21/2007
Page updated: October 14, 2021