Skip to main content
Resource | Technical Assistance Product Formulation Statement Guidance and Templates for Food Manufacturers/Industry

Product Formulation Statement templates and samples for demonstrating how a food product may contribute to the meal pattern requirements in USDA child nutrition programs.

06/09/2026
Basic page CN Labeling Guidance for Food Manufacturers/Industry

The child nutrition label provides a way for a manufacturer to demonstrate how a food product may contribute to the meal pattern requirements in child nutrition programs.

06/08/2026
Basic page Child Nutrition Programs Food Industry Toolkit

This toolkit contains resources for use by food industry to understand meal pattern requirements for USDA child nutrition programs, how food products may contribute toward the meal pattern requirements, and food product documentation used in the CNP.

06/08/2026
Resource | FAQs/Q&As Alternate Protein Products

The term alternate protein product is the name we use to identify products meeting requirements set forth in Appendix A of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program within the section entitled “Alternate Protein Products.” 

06/08/2026
Basic page Product Formulation Statements

A manufacturer’s product formulation statement is a document that demonstrates how a food product may contribute to the meal pattern requirements in USDA child nutrition programs.

06/08/2026
Basic page Child Nutrition Labels

The child nutrition label provides a way for a manufacturer to demonstrate how a food product may contribute to the meal pattern requirements in child nutrition programs.

06/08/2026
Resource | Policy Guidance on Competitive Procurement Standards for Program Operators

Recent communications between FNS and state agency program staff during procurement trainings and management evaluations conducted in fiscal year 2014-2015 indicated a need for guidance on competitive procurement standards. This page lists where to find the standards.

11/13/2015
Resource | Guidance Documents Procurement Standards and Resource Management Requirements Related to Franchise Agreements

FNS is aware that school food authorities and program operators may be operating NSLP, SBP, and other child nutrition programs, in a way that includes offering reimbursable meals and non-program foods (a la carte sales, catering, adult meals, etc.) using foods from popular franchise restaurants through a franchise agreement.

11/06/2015
Resource | Policy Local Agency Procurement Reviews: SY 2015-16

Program integrity is essential in all aspects of program administration and state agencies contribute to this by overseeing program operations. To this end, this memorandum provides guidance on state agency oversight of program operator procurement procedures while FNS is currently developing a Local Agency Procurement Review Tool to aid state agencies.

11/05/2015
Page updated: June 02, 2026