FNS Documents & Resources

Through this final rule, FNS is adding regulations that will ensure the integrity of the supplemental allotments for households with children who would have otherwise received free or reduced price school meals under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, but for school closures or reduction in the number of days or hours that students attend school in response to the ongoing and national COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during implementation of alternative child nutrition program operations throughout school year 2020-21 due to the continued COVID-19 public health emergency.

Through a series of waivers, NSLP/SBP and CACFP local program operators were able to continue their mission to provide healthful meals to eligible children using combinations of the flexibilities provided for under NSLP/SBP, CACFP, the NSLP Seamless Summer Option and the Summer Food Service Program.

FNS will permit state agencies to conduct streamlined interviews for at least 50% of non-elderly or disabled households. All initial applicants will continue to be interviewed.

Through this final rule, the  USDA Food and Nutrition Service is codifying a revised statutory requirement included in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 that established new Commodity Supplemental Food Program certification requirements..

Program operators in a state with an approved waiver allowing non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children for school year 2020-21. FNS recognizes that  continuing to require children to come to the meal site to pick up meals may not be practical and in keeping with the goal of providing meals while also taking appropriate safety measures.

This updated Distribution Rates includes new CSFP USDA Food items and removes the guide rate attachment for children, who were phased out of CSFP in February 2020, as directed by the 2014 Farm Bill. With this update, the Distribution Rates have been simplified and pared down to one attachment.

This webinar describes the methods used to estimate plate waste in school lunches and breakfasts, and it focuses on the methods used to estimate the percentage of available foods, calories, and nutrients that were wasted. 

 

This webinar describes the methods used to examine students’ dietary intakes