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Resource | Policy Enhancing Child Nutrition Program Meal Standards

As a reminder, meals and snacks offered through the child nutrition programs may be claimed for federal reimbursement if they meet the federal nutrition requirements and other federal regulations. State agencies may not withhold federal reimbursement for meals that meet the federal requirements, even if additional state requirements are not met. However, if a state provides an additional reimbursement above the federal reimbursement, they may withhold the state reimbursement.

06/02/2025
Resource | Policy USDA Foods Program Disaster Manual

This USDA Foods in disasters guidance manual contains important information for persons in FNS headquarters, FNS regional offices, and distributing agencies, which include state distributing agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations that are charged with the responsibility of providing USDA Foods to disaster relief organizations in the event of a disaster, emergency, or situation of distress.

06/03/2021
Resource | Policy Memos Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide updated guidance on the child nutrition program flexibilities available during unanticipated school closures. Schools may face unanticipated closures due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the state agency, a similar cause.

11/05/2019
Resource | Policy Summer Meals Nutrition Guide

Summer sites play a valuable role in helping children learn, grow, and stay healthy. Check out the SFSP Nutrition Guide to learn how you plan and serve menus with a variety of nutrient-rich foods and beverages, and operate a safe and successful food service. 

05/28/2018
Resource | Guidance Documents Providing Child Nutrition Program Benefits to Disaster Survivor Evacuees

This memorandum provides a reminder overview of options available under current program policy and regulation for connecting children and adult survivors, who have evacuated from areas subject to major disaster and emergency declarations, and may be staying in shelters, with child nutrition program benefits.

01/19/2018
Resource | Policy Donated Food Storage, Distribution, and Product Dating

This general USDA Foods guidance memorandum is meant to provide clarification and guidance on policies and procedures for donated food storage and distribution as they relate to product dating.

11/21/2017
Resource | Policy FY 2017 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants for School Food Authorities

The purpose of this memorandum is to distribute funding allocations out of the total $25 million provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017 to state agencies to competitively award equipment assistance grants to eligible school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program.

06/21/2017
Resource | Guidance Documents Questions and Answers about Disaster Policies and Procedures Revised

This USDA Foods in disasters guidance memorandum consolidates and clarifies select disaster/emergency policies and procedures applicable to the CSFP, the FDPIR and TEFAP.

12/09/2016
Resource | Policy Responding to Food Recall Procedures for Recalls of USDA Foods

This general USDA Foods guidance manual was developed to provide an overview of the recall process for USDA Foods with a focus on school meals programs.

05/30/2014
Resource | Guidance Documents Disaster Response

This memorandum supersedes SP 25-2012, CACFP 12-2012, SFSP 10-2012, Disaster Response and provides an overview of ways state agencies, school food authorities participating can respond to situations resulting from damage or disruptions due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flood as well as other exceptional emergency situations or man-made disasters. Allows state agencies to designate any appropriate facility, which is providing meals to displaced families who are being temporarily housed elsewhere, as a CACFP emergency shelter during a natural disaster or other emergency situation.

05/19/2014
Page updated: October 14, 2021