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Resource | Policy National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rate SY 2026-27

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. 

07/16/2026
Resource | Training and Outreach Pledge for Healthier School Meals

USDA is asking states to pledge to make their school meals and snack programs healthier to ensure students are served nourishing foods that support lifelong healthy eating patters.

07/14/2026
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 | Guidance Documents Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides information and guidance related to implementing the updated fluid milk options available to operators of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Food Program, and the Special Milk Program for Children.

06/04/2026
Page updated: June 02, 2026