Related Resources
General Program Guidance
- Child Nutrition Sharing Site (ICN)
- Nutrition Standards for School Meals (USDA)
- Operational Memoranda (CSDE)
- Program Guidance for School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
- The School Day Just Got Healthier (USDA)
Meal Pattern Requirements for School Meals
- Certification of Meal Pattern Compliance (CSDE)
- Implementation Timeline for the NSLP and SBP Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 (CSDE)
- Meal Pattern Training Materials (CSDE webpage)
- Menu Planning for Shorter or Longer Weeks (CSDE)
- USDA Memo SP 05-2022: Meal Requirements Under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Questions and Answers for Program Operators Updated to Support the Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Effective July 1, 2022
- USDA Memo SP 39-2019: Clarification on the Milk and Water Requirements in the School Meal Program
- USDA Memo SP 06-2007: Fluid Milk and Other Food Components/Menu Items in Reimbursable Lunches
- Vegetable Subgroups in the NSLP (CSDE)
- Vegetable Substitutions at Breakfast
- For school years 2022-23 and 2023-24, vegetables may substitute for the fruits component at any breakfast, without including vegetables from the other subgroups in the weekly menu.
- USDA Memo SP 06-2023, CACFP 05-2023 and SFSP 02-2023: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs
- Weekly WGR Percentage of School Menus (must be at least 80 percent WGR)
Menu Planning for School Meals
- Menu Planner for School Meals (USDA)
- Menu Planning Checklists for Lunch for Grades K-12 (CSDE's Forms for School Nutrition Programs webpage)
- Menu Planning for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
- Menu Planning Guide for School Meals for Grades K-12 (CSDE)
- Offer versus Serve (CSDE webpage)
- Overview of Menu Planning for Grades K-12 in the NSLP (CSDE)
- Overview of Menu Planning for Grades K-12 in the SBP (CSDE)
- Production Records (CSDE webpage)
- Recipe Resources: Visit the CSDE's Menu Planning for Child Nutrition Programs webpage
- Requirements for Classroom Meals in the NSLP and SBP (CSDE)
- Requirements for Field Trip Meals in the NSLP and SBP (CSDE)
- Resources for Menu Planning
- Standardized Recipe Form for School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
- Yield Study Form (CSDE)
Crediting Foods in School Meals
- Crediting Foods in School Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
- Portion Guide for Fresh Fruits (Start with Half a Cup)
- Portion Guide for Fresh Vegetables (Start with Half a Cup)
- Yield Study Data Form (CSDE)
Meal Counting and Claiming of School Meals
- Meal Counting and Claiming for School Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- Requirements for Classroom Meals in the NSLP and SBP (CSDE)
- Requirements for Field Trip Meals in the NSLP and SBP (CSDE)
For more resources, visit the CSDE's Resources for Child Nutrition Programs webpage.