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Resource | Policy Guidance on Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs

This memorandum provides revised guidance for school food authorities (SFAs) participating in the school meal programs regarding fees charged when families use electronic payment services to add money to school meal accounts. It also reminds SFAs that they must offer a free and accessible method for all families to add money to school meal accounts.

07/11/2025
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 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Targeted School Selection and Outreach Process

This memorandum provides clarification on the statutory requirements for selecting schools and reiterates information from the Sept. 29, 2009 FFVP webinar on the targeting and outreach process that states must conduct in order to select schools.

12/01/2009
Resource | Guidance Documents School Garden Q&As

Recently, we have received several questions regarding the operation of a school garden. Attached are questions and answers to address this issue. As in the past, please share this information with your school food authorities.

07/29/2009
Resource | Guidance Documents Clarification of State Agency Review Requirements for Donated Foods in the NSLP and Other Child Nutrition Programs

The purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify the responsibilities of the state administering agency and the state distributing agency with respect to ensuring compliance with requirements for donated foods in the National School Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

06/03/2009
Resource | Guidance Documents Economic Price Adjustments in Vendor Contracts

Today’s unpredictable economy has made it important to consider accounting for the fluctuating costs of goods and services that are beyond the control of either the school food authority or the vendor.

01/23/2009
Page updated: June 02, 2026