FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum clarifies that, while use of CACFP monitors to review licensing requirements is permitted and may be beneficial, it may not be required by State agencies and is not an allowable use of CACFP funds.

This memorandum is intended to highlight flexibilities that already exist at the state level to simplify and improve the delivery of nutrition assistance to low-income children and adult participants through the CACFP.

This memo is to inform you of recent changes related to data exchanges for the purposes of direct certification for NSLP with SNAP. Please share this information with state agencies administering SNAP and continue to encourage them to fully cooperate with their NSLP counterparts to improve the direct certification of children in SNAP households.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010  require that children living in households receiving assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program be directly certified for free school meals under the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program.

On July 16, 2012, FNS issued memorandum SP 38-2012, which allowed Residential Child Care Institutions, with state agency approval, to serve the National School Lunch Program meal pattern in effect for the highest age/grade group served to all residential students.

FNS recently released the new Administrative Review Guidance Manual, which includes four options that state agencies may use to assess compliance with Dietary Specifications – calories, saturated fat, and sodium – requirements. 

We are encouraging all WIC state agencies to add the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General hotline website to all WIC food instruments or their accompanying folders or sleeves.

The attached letter and Opt-In Notice, issued by the FNS food distribution division team, provide information needed for state-level staff responsible for the school food distribution program and/or child nutrition food program to apply for supplemental FY 2013 SAE reallocation funds.

This memorandum highlights flexibilities available to Summer Food Service Program sponsors transitioning into the At-risk Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program during the school year.