Find information about menu certification, including USDA’s 6-cent certification worksheets for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act provides an additional 8-cents-per-lunch reimbursement to National School Lunch Program sponsors and schools whose menu plans are certified to be in compliance with federal meal pattern and portion requirements. The additional funding is a significant investment in improving the quality of school meals provided to students.
There are two main methods that may be used to certify menus. Option 1 is using one of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved nutrient analysis software. Option 2 is using the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Certification of Compliance.
Option 1: Sponsors submit one week of menus, detailed menu worksheets showing food components and quantities for reimbursable meals for these menus, and a nutrient analysis of calories, saturated fats and sodium. This option acknowledges that a large number of sponsors already use nutrient analysis software to monitor the nutrient levels in their meals. The FDACS POINT System is one such software that provides schools and school districts comprehensive tools for Planning, Ordering, Inventory Management and Nutrient Analysis and may be used for menu certification.
Option 2: Sponsors submit one week of menus, detailed menu worksheets showing food components and quantities for reimbursable meals for these menus, and a simplified nutrient assessment of calories and saturated fats. This option acknowledges that not all sponsors use nutrient analysis software. A simplified nutrient assessment is intended to be a proxy for the nutrient analysis.
Completed worksheets for newly enrolled program operators are reviewed and approved by Registered Dietitian Nutrition/ Specialists with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness. Ongoing evaluation and recertification of the 8-cents funding are conducted as part of the Administrative Review's process.
See Q&As Related to the Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the NSLP for more information.