FNS Documents & Resources

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. 

Memorandum. The purpose of this memorandum is to reissue previous guidance, CACFP 01-1999, Participation of Tribal Child Care Facilities in CACFP, October 23, 1998, and provide Questions and Answers intended to clarify current Program policies and how these policies may impact the operation of the CACFP, as well as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), in Indian Country.

The purpose of this Instruction is to establish and convey policy and provide guidance and direction to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and its recipients and customers, and ensure compliance with and enforcement of the prohibition against discrimination in all FNS nutrition programs and activities, whether federally funded in whole or not. 

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

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.

This Instruction establishes standards, principles, and guidelines to assist SA's and FNSRO's in the development and maintenance of financial management systems.

The purpose of this Instruction is to clarify issues which have been raised in the past concerning the approval of child care institutions as sponsors for the Summer Food Service Program.

This Instruction sets forth the policy concerning recycling of milk and other meal components. 

Program regulations require administering agencies (state educational, alternate or distributing agencies, or Food and Nutrition regional offices) to enter into written agreements with school food authorities or sponsoring organizations of child care facilities or summer sites which desire to participate in one or more of the Department's child nutrition programs.

While some policies are set forth in this Instruction, the primary purpose is to guide the user to the appropriate source or document for more information.