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Resource | Policy Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods

The purpose of this memorandum is to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any USDA Child Nutrition Program, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program for Children , Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Seamless Summer Option , of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in program meals.

05/06/2025
Resource | Fact sheets Food Safety Information and Resources for the Farm to School Community

This fact sheet outlines a number of additional resources for those seeking to directly purchase or raise food products for school nutrition programs.

08/29/2023
Resource | Fact sheets Food Safety Frequently Asked Questions

"Food Safety Frequently Asked Questions: The Food Safety Modernization Act and its Impact on Farm to School Activities": This document includes common questions related to food safety when purchasing locally grown and raised food products directly from producers as well as food safety considerations for edible campus gardens.

08/29/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach CACFP: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time During School Year 2022-23

USDA continues to work with state child nutrition agencies to offer flexibilities in response to public health needs while still promoting nutritious meals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

04/27/2023
Resource | Research and Data | General/Other Food Safety Research: Farm to School

FNS advances food safety education and practices in federal nutrition assistance programs through research conducted by the Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs (the Center). To better understand food safety concerns associated with fresh produce and farm to school activities, the Center conducted a study.

03/09/2023
Resource | Webinars/Videos Overview of the Keep Kids Fed Act and New Supply Chain Assistance Funding

A webinar for state agencies providing an overview of provisions included in the new Keep Kids Fed Act legislation and Supply Chain Assistance funding. 

07/06/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Transitioning to Normal Child Nutrition Operations: Additional Waiver Opportunities

A webinar for state agencies about tools available to aid in the transition back to normal child nutrition program operations.

05/12/2022
Resource | Policy Memos Nationwide Waivers of Child Nutrition Monitoring

FNS has used its authority under FFRCA to waive certain onsite monitoring requirements for the school meals programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, so that programs can to maintain program integrity and support social distancing while providing meals. 

11/12/2021
Resource | Policy Child Nutrition: Questions and Answers related to COVID-19

USDA has issued a series of question and answer documents on flexibilities and waivers for the child nutrition programs intended to support effective operations and provide meals, while also supporting social distancing in order to reduce the exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

10/01/2021
Resource | Policy Information Collection: Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer

This is a revision of a currently approved information collection for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer for the reporting burden associated with administering P-EBT.

05/11/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021