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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance CEP Planning and Implementation Guidance

A final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision-Increasing Options for Schools (88 FR 65778), was published on Sept. 26, 2023, with an effective date of Oct. 26, 2023, that established the 25 percent minimum ISP threshold.  As a result, more students, households, and schools have the opportunity to experience CEP’s benefits, such as increasing access to school meals at no cost, eliminating unpaid meal charges, minimizing stigma, and streamlining meal service operations.

02/12/2024
Resource | Policy Memos 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.

SP 02-2024, CACFP 02-2024, SFSP 02-2024
11/29/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Procuring Local Meat, Poultry, Game and Eggs for Child Nutrition Programs

Recently, FNS has received a number of questions related to buying local meat, poultry, game, and eggs; this memorandum seeks to clarify the regulatory requirements related to food safety and answer specific questions related to these products with a series of questions and answers.

SP 01,CACFP 01, SFSP 01-2016
11/20/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FD-154: TEFAP, CSFP - Cancellation of Policy Memoranda FD-138 and FD-141

In order to update and streamline policy guidance for CSFP and TEFAP, FNS is cancelling Policy Memoranda FD-138 and FD-141.

FD-154
09/12/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents FDPIR Monthly Distribution Guide Rates By Household Size

FNS Handbook 501, Exhibit O shows the FDPIR monthly distribution guide rates by household size effective Sept. 1, 2023. This document is commonly referred to as the "FDPIR Guide Rate."  

FNS Handbook 501, Exhibit O
08/16/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Guidance for Submitting Amendments to TEFAP State Plans per 7 CFR 251.6

This memorandum provides guidance to TEFAP state agencies on how to submit proposed amendments to their TEFAP state plans as discussed in existing regulations.

07/05/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FD-152: Discontinuance of the High Security Seal Requirement for USDA Foods Deliveries

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will discontinue the requirement for vendors to use high security seals to secure USDA Foods deliveries as of July 1, 2023. 

04/05/2023
Resource | Guidance Documents | FNS-GD-2019-0098 FNS Handbook 501 for FDPIR

The FNS Handbook 501 provides ITOs and state agencies guidance on the administration of FDPIR. The chapters within the handbook cover all aspects of the program including financial management, certification of households, food ordering, and inventory control.

06/02/2022
Resource | Policy Memos FY22 Food and Administrative Funding for TEFAP

This memo is addressed to TEFAP state agencies and provides final FY 2022 funding levels for TEFAP food and administrative grants under the full-year FY 2022 appropriations bill.

05/02/2022
Resource | Policy Memos CSFP: Revised Maximum Monthly Distribution Rates to Return to Full Vegetable Issuance

This memorandum provides return to the full issuance of eight units of vegetables or soup in CSFP food packages for May 2022 distributions and beyond.

04/19/2022
Page updated: October 14, 2021