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Resource | Policy Initial Implementation Memorandum: Child Nutrition Programs - Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 DGAs

On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This rule includes minor updates to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program to better align Child Nutrition Program requirements. These updates represent continued progress toward supporting the nutrition quality of school meals, strengthening the Child Nutrition Programs, and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. 

SP 19-2024, CACFP 07-2024, SFSP 12-2024
05/17/2024
Resource | Policy Memos FY 2024 Food and Administrative Funding for TEFAP

The FY 2024 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year food and administrative funding allocations.

04/23/2024
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 Crediting Traditional Indigenous Foods in Child Nutrition Programs

This updated memorandum provides guidance to Indigenous communities on incorporating traditional Indigenous foods that meet CNP meal pattern requirements and includes an updated and expanded list of traditional Indigenous foods that credit the same as similar foods currently listed in the Food Buying Guide for child nutrition programs.

TA 01-2024
11/01/2023
Resource | Policy Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Questions and Answers (Revised September 2023)

This memorandum provides updated guidance on feeding infants and the infant meal pattern requirements. This revision incorporates updated breastmilk storage recommendations, infant formula food safety considerations, and information on crediting grains in ounce equivalents.

CACFP 11-2023
09/20/2023
Resource | Data | Cost Study USDA Food Plans

USDA produces four food plans outlining practical, nutritious diets at successively higher cost levels: the Thrifty, Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans. The Thrifty Food Plan serves as the basis for maximum allotments in SNAP.

08/03/2023
Resource | Research, Analysis & Background Initial Study Plan: Thrifty Food Plan, 2026

This document provides the initial study plan for the reevaluation of the Thrifty Food Plan, 2026. This initial study plan is based on information available as of April 2023. The USDA, FNS intends to publish a final study plan by early 2026.

05/31/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FY 2023 Food and Administrative Funding for TEFAP

The fiscal year 2023 TEFAP funding memorandum provides guidance on full-year FY 2023 TEFAP food and administrative funding allocations.

02/08/2023
Resource | Policy Thrifty Food Plan Adjustment of FY 2023 TEFAP Funding

In FY 2023, the USDA anticipates an increase in TEFAP entitlement food funding, due to significant inflationary changes reflected in the June 2022 TFP.

08/29/2022
Resource | Research | Food/Nutrient Analysis Added Sugars in School Meals and Competitive Foods

This report responds to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which directs the FNS to provide a report on the amount of added sugars in school meals.

08/11/2022
Page updated: October 14, 2021