The purpose of the guidance on this page is to explain state and federal regulations and help regulated parties, such as National School Lunch Program sponsors, comply with them.
The information, while not exhaustive, is designed to provide the most current and relevant information to help program sponsors provide complete meals and snacks to participating students and to operate accurate and effective Child Nutrition Programs.
For additional program requirements and information, see the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Proposed Rules and Regulations Timelines. Additional program support can be found on the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness's webpages and at USDA’s Guidance and Resources pages.
Meals
- Menu Certification
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Native Foods and Game Meats in Child Nutrition Programs
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126 kB
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RCCI Meal Pattern Flexibility for Multiple Grade Groups (SP 48-2013)
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31.4 kB
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Salad Bars in National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program (SP 41-2019)
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99.1 kB
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- Smoothies Offered in Child Nutrition Programs (SP 40-2019) [ Adobe PDF Document ]
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Variations in Meal Requirements for Religious Reasons (FNS Instruction 783-13 Rev. 3)
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582.2 kB
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Fruits
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Crediting Coconut (SP 22-2019)
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50 kB
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Formulated Grain Fruit Products (SP 26-2012)
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81.4 kB
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Frozen Fruit Products (SP 49-2013)
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46.6 kB
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Smoothie
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96.5 kB
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Vegetables
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Substituting Vegetables for Fruits at Breakfast
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104.4 kB
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Grains
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Crediting Hominy, Corn Masa and Corn Flour (SP 22-2019)
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50 kB
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Crediting Popcorn (SP 23-2019)
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52.6 kB
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Whole Grain Resource
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2.6 MB
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Meats and Meat Alternates
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Alternate Protein Products (7 CFR Part 210 Appendix A)
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19.3 kB
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Crediting Pasta Products Made of Vegetable Flour in the Child Nutrition Programs (SP26-2019)
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45.4 kB
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Crediting Shelf-Stable, Dried and Semi-Dried Meat, Poultry and Seafood Products (SP 21-2019)
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68.2 kB
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Crediting Surimi Seafood (SP 24-2019)
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51.6 kB
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Crediting Tempeh (SP 25-2019)
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65.5 kB
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- Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the School Meals Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program (SP 02-2024)
Fluid Milk
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Milk Substitutions Guide 2026
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221.7 kB
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Sodium in Milk Infographic
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974.5 kB
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Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 SP 01-2026
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234.8 kB
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Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Q&A
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109.9 kB
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Water
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Milk and Water Requirements in the School Meal Programs Clarification (SP 39-2019)
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35.1 kB
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Resources for Making Potable Water Available in Schools and Child Care Facilities (SP 49-2016)
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99.7 kB
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Water Availability During Lunch (SP 28-2011 Revised)
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46.4 kB
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Water Availability During Meal Service (§ 210.10 and § 220.8)
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12.3 kB
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Sodium
- Sodium (USDA)
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Sodium in Milk Infographic
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974.5 kB
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Recipes and Buying Guide
- Child Nutrition Recipe Box (Institute of Child Nutrition)
- USDA Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Menu Planning and Meal Service
- Point System
- Meal Patterns
- Menu Planning Templates
- Menu Planning Ideas and Samples
- USDA Menu Certification of Compliance
- Recipes and Culinary Techniques
- Child Nutrition (CN) Label/Product Formulation Statements
- Production and Meal Service Records
- Regulatory Guidance
- Special Diets
- USDA TN Spanish Materials (Childcare & School Programs)