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Resource | Policy Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”

This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses for the term “Federal public benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide “Federal public benefits” within the scope of PRWORA.

07/10/2025
Resource | Policy Memos Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program: Allocation of Funds for FY 2024

This memorandum provides the total funding amount available to FNS to distribute to state agencies, which is $252.6 million for FY 2024. This includes $219.6 million in new funds available under Section 19 of the National School Lunch Act, which is the prior year base amount adjusted for inflation, and an additional $33 million in unexpired carryover funds from previous years.

05/31/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach CN Flexibilities for Summer 2022 and School Year 2022-23

FNS is offering a suite of operational flexibilities that will be available to child nutrition programs for summer 2022 and school year 2022-23.

09/22/2022
Resource | Forms Federal-State Agreement Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs

This agreement sets out the requirements for administering the child nutrition programs and the food distribution programs.

07/14/2022
Resource | Policy Memos Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2021-22 during COVID-19

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during implementation of alternative child nutrition program operations throughout school year 2021-22 due to the continued novel coronavirus public health emergency.

08/09/2021
Resource | Policy Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs - REVISED

This memorandum provides notice to child nutrition program operators regarding Sections 743, 764, 767, and 789 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 enacted on Dec. 21, 2020. This revised memorandum applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating the federal child nutrition programs. It is revised to correct the timeframe intended by Congress for Section 743.
 

05/14/2021
Resource | Policy Memos 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 | Policy Policy Memorandum on Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs

The attached policy memorandum, “Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the School Meal Programs,” includes important updates to requirements related to accommodating children with disabilities participating in the school meal programs.  Previous FNS guidance on this issue was included in FNS Instruction 783-2, Rev. 2, Meal Substitutions for Medical or other Special Dietary Reasons

09/27/2016
Resource | Policy Meaningful Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As

This memorandum consolidates and supersedes previous LEP guidance and incorporates previously released USDA and FNS guidance. FNS is issuing this guidance in a Q&A format to provide responses to questions that FNS has received regarding communications with LEP individuals.

05/25/2016
Resource | Policy Disclosure Requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a reminder for LEAs regarding the restrictions on disclosure of sensitive information collected through the child nutrition programs.

12/07/2015
Page updated: October 14, 2021