FNS Documents & Resources

We are writing to stress the importance of training day care providers and center personnel. Insuring that program participants are well-trained is a vital responsibility of state agencies and sponsoring organizations, and it is an important proactive tool in improving program management and integrity.

The Jan. 14, 1999, memorandum implementing the after school snack provision of the Child Nutrition Programs’ reauthorization legislation stated that RCCIs would not be eligible for this benefit. To address these situations, we are authorizing RCCIs to participate in the after school snack program.

This memorandum clarifies our policy with regard to those situations in which homeless shelters participating in CACFP receive and use commodity foods.

In the past, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has relied on a series of large surveys to gather and compare information on food expenditures and food consumption among participants and non-participants to better understand the impacts of the Food Stamp Program (FSP) on the diet and nutritional status of program participants. Studies based on survey data, however, have a number of drawbacks, including the time and expense of collecting the survey data, sampling error, response bias, errors in respondent recall, and misinformation about what may have been purchased or consumed.

One activity that reflects USDA’s commitment to nutrition promotion is the development of state nutrition networks. Since October 1995, FNS has awarded cooperative agreements to 22 states to create nutrition networks that would develop innovative, large-scale and sustainable approaches to providing nutrition education to low-income families that participate or are eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program.

In response to inquiries from three regional offices, we are issuing the attached guidance with regard to the eligibility for free meals of children participating in state-funded pre-kindergarten programs.

The Food and Nutrition Service is proposing to update the requirements on using Vegetable Protein Products in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (the child nutrition programs) given changes in food technology since the current provisions were adopted.

This final rule addresses significant comments received in response to the regulatory changes proposed in the proposed rule and finalizes regulatory changes to the Food Stamp Program’s quality control system in the following areas: negative case reviews, state agency minimum sample sizes for active and negative case reviews, state sampling procedures, federal subsample size formulas, error dollar tolerance level, home visits, case completion standards, and miscellaneous technical corrections. 

This memo clarifies that any time all members of a household receive benefits under a program for needy families funded primarily through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, whether cash or other benefits such as services, the TANF resource rules apply and thus an income eligible working family can both own a car and obtain food stamps.

As you know, Food and Nutrition Service has been working closely with our many partners and stakeholders to improve service to working families. We are pleased to announce the Administration’s approval of an Agency policy initiative which will enhance program access for low-income working families.