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Resource | Policy Notice of Vacatur: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities

This final rule removes from the Code of Federal Regulations the final rule published on Dec. 12, 2018, titled, “Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements.” This action responds to a decision of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that vacated the rule.

11/24/2020
Resource | Policy Proposed Rule: Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the NSLP and SBP

This rulemaking proposes changes to simplify meal pattern and monitoring requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The proposed changes, including optional flexibilities, are customer-focused and intended to help state and local program operators overcome operational challenges that limit their ability to manage these programs efficiently. In the National School Lunch Program, the proposed rule would add flexibility to the existing vegetable subgroups requirement.

01/23/2020
Resource | Federal Register Notices National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020)

This Notice supersedes the notice published in the Aug. 7, 2019 issue of the Federal Register entitled National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (FR Doc. 84-38590). It establishes new reimbursement rates for Guam and Virgin Islands to match the reimbursement rate provided to Puerto Rico, and corrects an incorrect date.

11/01/2019
Resource | Federal Register Notices National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs: National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2019 -June 30, 2020)

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.

08/07/2019
Resource | Federal Register Notices National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs; National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates (July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)

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.

07/19/2018
Basic page USDA School Meals Model Application Disclaimer

This is a model application developed by USDA to demonstrate the potential functionality of a school district's application. NO information will be saved or submitted for processing. If you are a parent, contact your child's school to find out where you can access their application for school meal benefits.

01/10/2017
Resource | Technical Assistance Free and Reduced Price School Meals Web-Based Model Application

Featured here is USDA’s Web-Based Prototype Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals, along with accompanying guidance materials and resources.

11/22/2016
Resource | Technical Assistance Manufacturer Documentation: Child Nutrition Labels and Product Formulation Statements

The child nutrition label and a manufacturer’s product formulation statement are documents that provide a way for a manufacturer to demonstrate how a processed food product may contribute to the meal pattern requirements in child nutrition programs. 

08/13/2013
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the NSLP State Implementation Progress, SY 2010-11 Report to Congress

This report responds to the requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Under direct certification, children are determined eligible for free school meals without the need for household applications by using data from other means-tested programs. 

11/02/2011
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Direct Certification in the NSLP: State Implementation Progress - Report to Congress

This report responds to the legislative requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Under direct certification, children are determined eligible for free school meals without the need for household applications by using data from other means-tested programs. 

10/01/2009
Page updated: October 14, 2021