Healthy Eating Index scores range from 0 to 100 and are a measure of diet quality used to assess how well a set of foods aligns with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. A higher score is ideal. The FDPIR Food Package scores an 84. This is higher than the average U.S. diet, which scores a 59.
Check out this database to access vendor-specific product information for all direct delivered USDA Foods for the National School Lunch Program.
This information is provided to assist state agencies, school food authorities, and local schools with the selection of a software program that has been USDA-approved for nutrient analyses required in the school meal programs.
These questions and answers provide more information about the USDA Foods Database for states/school districts.
This webinar provided state agencies and school districts instructions on how to navigate the USDA Foods Database to access vendor-specific product information, including nutrients, allergens, ingredients and certifications.
The NAP Manual is a technical assistance resource for school nutrition or state agency professionals.
In October 2019, FNS published a proposed rule entitled “Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances.” This action modernizes the standard utility allowances used in calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in order to enhance program integrity and ensure equity among program participants.
Categorized by food type, the USDA Foods Product Information Sheets describe the items expected to be available for schools and institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the National School Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and other child nutrition programs.
When people make decisions about what to eat, they may consider such factors as taste, ease of preparation, nutrition, what others enjoy eating, and price. Many researchers seek to understand what makes some people choose healthful diets while others choose less healthful diets. To conduct these studies, researchers must understand as much of the context of the decisions as possible: What foods are normally enjoyed by an individual and his or her co-diners? How much time does an individual or household have to prepare food? Are there health conditions or other factors that might prompt an individual to value health and nutrition more so than others do? What are an individual’s or household’s budget restrictions?
This memorandum provides a policy option to states to help soften the impact that reduced SUAs might have on SNAP households in certain state.