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Resource | Policy Modifying the FNS Instruction 113-1: Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement - Nutrition Programs and Activities

This memorandum seeks to ensure that current Food and Nutrition Service guidance pertaining to federal civil rights and nondiscrimination obligations remains aligned with applicable laws, regulations, executive orders and directives relevant to the agency’s 16 nutrition assistance programs.

03/03/2026
Resource | Policy Instruction 709-5: Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods

This instruction establishes the general USDA Foods guidance for standards and procedures that the state distributing agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods, and conveys established responsibilities for other entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers.

03/13/2019
Resource | Guidance Documents Revisions to Instructions for Calculation of Average Daily Attendance (FNS-418)

This memorandum announces a revision to the instructions for calculating average daily attendance on the Form FNS-418: Report of the Summer Food Service Program for Children.

05/10/2017
Resource | Guidance Documents FNS Instruction 796-2 Rev. 4: Financial Management - CACFP

CACFP funds are provided to assist State agencies through grants and other means to initiate and maintain nonprofit food service Programs for eligible children and adult participants in nonresidential institutions that provide care. This Instruction establishes program standards, principles and guidelines for financial management.

12/11/2013
Resource | Guidance Documents Variations in Meal Requirements for Religious Reasons: Jewish Schools, Institutions and Sponsors

This instruction is intended to clarify allowable variations to child nutrition program food components in order to meet religious needs among Jewish schools, institutions and sponsors. 

03/27/2013
Resource | Guidance Documents Administrative Budget Negotiation Guidance for FDPIR and the Food Distribution Program for Indian Households in Oklahoma

This instruction establishes uniform policy for regional offices to follow in negotiating annual administrative budgets with the Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations and Food Distribution Program for Indian Households in Oklahoma. 

04/28/2008
Resource | Policy FNS Instruction 783-1: The Grains/Breads Requirement for the Food-Based Menu Planning Alternatives in CNPs

This Instruction sets forth the criteria to be used to determine acceptable grains/breads, the criteria to be used to determine equivalent minimum serving sizes, and examples of foods that qualify as grains/breads for meals served under the food-based menu planning alternatives in all child nutrition programs

01/08/1997
Resource | Guidance Documents FNS Instruction 783-2 Rev. 2: Meal Substitutions for Medical or Other Special Dietary Reasons

This Instruction outlines the policy for food substitutions and other modifications in the meal patterns necessary to meet the dietary requirements of program participants with handicaps and with other special dietary needs.

10/14/1994
Resource | Guidance Documents FNS Instruction 796-4: Financial Management - SFSP

FNS Instruction 796-4 establishes standards, principles, and guidelines to assist state agencies and regional offices in the development and maintenance of financial management systems for the summer food service program.

04/14/1994
Resource | Policy FNS Instruction 776-9: Verification of Eligibility Procedures in the CACFP

 The purpose of this FNS Instruction is to provide guidance regarding the number of applications that must be reviewed by state agencies conducting verification of eligibility for free and reduced price meals under the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

06/30/1993
Page updated: June 02, 2026