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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 Offer versus Serve Flexibilities for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program

Under the leadership of Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA is prioritizing the clarification of statutory, regulatory, and administrative requirements of the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

06/02/2025
Resource | Training and Outreach Today's Breakfast Poster

The Team Nutrition school breakfast poster is designed for school nutrition programs to display daily breakfast menu options and remind students to eat a variety of foods while building a reimbursable meal.

02/12/2025
Resource | Policy Notice to Beneficiaries and Prospective Beneficiaries

USDA and eight other federal agencies recently published a final rule entitled, Partnerships With Faith-Based and Neighborhood Organizations at 89 FR 15671 (final rule). The final rule amended USDA regulations at 7 CFR part 16 related to equal opportunity for faith-based organizations that operate USDA programs and religious protections for USDA program beneficiaries.

07/01/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach OVS Middle/High School Breakfast Poster

This poster is used educate middle and high school students in selecting a reimbursable breakfast under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Training and Outreach OVS Elementary School Breakfast Poster

This poster is used to educate elementary students in selecting a reimbursable breakfast under Offer versus Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance Offer vs Serve Breakfast Program Tip Sheet

This tip sheet was designed for school foodservice professionals to provide an overview of Offer versus Serve guidance for breakfast meal service.

09/25/2023
Resource | Technical Assistance Offer Versus Serve Materials

These materials can be used as tools to educate students and school nutrition professionals on Offer vs Serve.

09/25/2023
Resource | Research and Data | Food Security Evaluation of Demonstration Projects to End Childhood Hunger (EDECH): Final Interim Evaluation Report

This study—authorized by the 2010 Child Nutrition Act—tests innovative strategies to end childhood hunger. 

02/08/2018
Resource | Policy Updated Offer vs Serve Guidance for the NSLP and SBP Beginning SY 2015-16

Offer versus Serve is a provision in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program that allows students to decline some of the food offered. The goals of OVS are to reduce food waste in the school meals programs while permitting students to decline foods they do not intend to eat. 

07/21/2015
Page updated: October 14, 2021