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Child Nutrition Programs Food Industry Toolkit

A Resource Hub for Food Industry Partners

This toolkit contains resources for use by food industry to understand meal pattern requirements for USDA child nutrition programs (CNP), how food products may contribute toward the meal pattern requirements, and food product documentation used in the CNP.

School Meals Nutrition Standards CACFP Nutrition Standards
illustration of a school loading dock

  • Child Nutrition Labels

    Answers to common questions, instructions, and policy and guidance documents.

    View CN Labeling Resources

  • Product Formulation Statements

    Key guidance, templates, samples, and tips for evaluation.

    View PFS Materials

  • Alternate Protein Products

    Frequently asked questions and sample documentation.

    View APP Information

  • Child Nutrition Database

    Food product nutrient data and resources for industry partners interested in publishing their data.

    View CN Database

  • Food Buying Guide for CNP

    Essential food yield information for program operators.

    View Food Buying Guide

  • Crediting Tip Sheets

    References for program operators on how to credit the five meal components in CNP.

    View Tip Sheets

  • CACFP Crediting Handbook

    Resource to assist CACFP operators in planning menus that meet the USDA meal pattern requirement.

    View Handbook

  • USDA Foods in Schools

    Resources for vendors supplying American-grown foods through the USDA Foods in Schools program.

    View Resources
Page updated: June 10, 2026