Skip to main content
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule: Restoration of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities

This rulemaking proposes to codify three menu planning flexibilities established by the interim final rule titled, Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements published Nov. 30, 2017, and made permanent with some modifications by a final rule of the same title published Dec. 12, 2018, hereafter referred to as the 2018 Final Rule. An April 2020 court decision vacated and remanded the 2018 Final Rule.

11/24/2020
Resource | Policy Notice of Vacatur: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities

This final rule removes from the Code of Federal Regulations the final rule published on Dec. 12, 2018, titled, “Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements.” This action responds to a decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that vacated the rule.

11/24/2020
Resource | Federal Register Notices National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs; National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021)

This notice announces the annual adjustments to the national average payments, the amount of money the Federal Government provides states for lunches, afterschool snacks, and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the maximum reimbursement rates, the maximum per lunch rate from federal funds that a state can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program for Children.

07/22/2020
Resource | Federal Register Notices Food Distribution Program: Value of Donated Foods (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021)

This notice announces the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods, to be provided in school year 2021 (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021) for each lunch served by schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, and for each lunch and supper served by institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

07/22/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents FNS Instruction 782-13: Guidelines for Policy Statement When Serving Meals or Milk Without Separate Charge

All school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch, Commodity School, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs must submit a free and reduced price policy statement pursuant to 7 CFR Part 245.

07/16/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents School Meals Administrative Review Guidance and Tools

The National School Lunch Program regulations specify the requirements for conducting Administrative Reviews. The documents on this page include the Administrative Review Manual and other documents and tools available for conducting these compliance reviews.

07/15/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents FY 2020 Reallocation of SAE Funds in Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides the information needed to conduct the FY 2020 reallocation of SAE funds.

04/01/2020
Resource | Guidance Documents Updated Instructions for the Recovery and Reallocation of State Administrative Expense Funds in Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides information on changes to the SAE recovery and reallocation process in fiscal year 2020 and going forward. It is not a request for submissions.

04/01/2020
Resource | Federal Register Notices Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines (2020-2021)

This notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

03/20/2020
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule: Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the NSLP and SBP

This rulemaking proposes changes to simplify meal pattern and monitoring requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The proposed changes, including optional flexibilities, are customer-focused and intended to help state and local program operators overcome operational challenges that limit their ability to manage these programs efficiently. In the National School Lunch Program, the proposed rule would add flexibility to the existing vegetable subgroups requirement.

01/23/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021