Laws and Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs

Overview


School Nutrition Programs | SFSP | CACFP


School Nutrition Programs and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)


The links below provide information on the federal and state laws and regulations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs, competitive foods in schools, and nutrition-related requirements. The USDA's Child Nutrition Programs include the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and school nutrition programs, which include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP) , Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) of the NSLP, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Special Milk Program (SMP), and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP.


Connecticut General Statutes  |   Connecticut Regulations
Finding State and Federal Legislation  |   USDA Legislation for School Meals
USDA Regulations  |   USDA Final Rules  |   USDA Proposed Rules


Connecticut General Statutes for School Foods and Beverages

The state statutes apply to all public schools but do not apply to private schools or residential child care institutions (RCCIs). 

Connecticut Regulations for Competitive Foods

The state competitive foods regulations apply to all public schools, private schools, and RCCIs that participate in the USDA's school nutrition programs. For guidance on complying with the federal and state requirements for competitive foods, visit the CSDE's Competitive Foods in Schools webpage.

Finding State and Federal Legislation

USDA Legislation for School Meals

USDA Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs

USDA Final Rules for Child Nutrition Programs


CACFP  |   School Nutrition Programs  |   SFSP


Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Final Rules
  • Afterschool Snacks in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (Final Rule 72 FR 41591)
  • Child Nutrition Program Integrity
  • Disclosure of Children's Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk Eligibility Information in the Child Nutrition Programs (Final Rule 71 FR 30561)
  • Geographic Preference Option for the Procurement of Unprocessed Agricultural Products in Child Nutrition Programs (Final Rule 76 FR 22603)
  • Management of Donated Foods in Child Nutrition Programs, the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, and Charitable Institutions (Final Rule 73 FR 46169)
  • Meal Patterns for the CACFP
    • Amendments to the Child Nutrition Infant Meal Pattern (Final Rule 67 FR 36779)
    • CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 81 FR 24347)
      • Correction: CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 81 FR 75671)
      • Technical Amendments: CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Rule 86 FR 57544): The CACFP requirement to credit grains in ounce equivalents was implemented on October 1, 2021.This also applies to the crediting of grains served to infants and toddlers in the NSLP and SBP. This document corrects the final regulations to align meal pattern tables and corresponding endnotes with regulatory requirements.
      • Correcting Amendments: CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Correcting Amendments 87 FR 4126): Corrects meal pattern servings for ready-to-eat cereal for infants in the CACFP and NSLP, yogurt for all age groups at CACFP snack, and milk for ages 3-5 at CACFP snack.
    • Modification of the Vegetable Protein Products Requirements for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program (Final Rule 65 FR 12429)
  • Nondiscretionary Amendments Related to the HHFKA of 2010 (Final Rule 78 FR 13443)
  • Serious Deficiency Process in the CACFP

School Nutrition Programs Final Rules
  • Administration
  • Child Nutrition Program Integrity
  • Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
    • Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision - Increasing Options for Schools (Final Rule 88 FR 65778) 
    • National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Eliminating Applications Through Community Eligibility as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 81 FR 501940)
  • Donated Foods
    • Management of Donated Foods in Child Nutrition Programs, the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, and Charitable Institutions (73 FR 46169)
  • Food Safety
  • Free and Reduced-price Meals
    • Applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and for Benefits in the Special Milk Program, and Technical Amendments (Final Rule 76 FR 66849)
      • Correction: Applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and for Benefits in the Special Milk Program, and Technical Amendments (Final Rule 68 FR 53483)
      • Direct Certification of Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools (Final Rule Final Rule 64 FR 72466)
      • Disclosure of Children's Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk Eligibility Information in the Child Nutrition Programs (Final Rule 72 FR 10885) 
      • National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Eliminating Applications through Community Eligibility as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 81 FR 50194)
      • NSLP and SBP Alternatives to Standard Application and Meal Counting Procedures (Final Rule 66 FR 48323)
      • NSLP Independent Review of Applications Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 79 FR 7049)
    • Meal Patterns for School Nutrition Programs
      • Amendments to the Child Nutrition Infant Meal Pattern (Final Rule 67 FR 36779)
      • Child Nutrition Programs: Rescission of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities: Notice of Vacatur (85 FR 74847)
      • Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the HHFKA of 2010 (Final Rule 79 FR 325)
        • Correction: Certification of Compliance with Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the HHFKA of 2010 (Final Rule 79 FR 2761)
      • Fluid Milk Substitutions in the School Nutrition Programs (73 FR 52903)
      • Marketing and Sale of Fluid Milk in Schools (Final Rule 74 FR 38889)
      • Modification of the Vegetable Protein Products Requirements for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program (Final Rule 65 FR 12429)
      • Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (Final Rule 77 FR 4087)
        • 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
      • Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium (Final Rule 87 FR 6984)
    • Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs
      • Hiring Flexibility under Professional Standards (Final Rule 84 FR 6953)
      • Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 80 FR 11077)
        • Correction: Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs Personnel as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Final Rule 80 FR 26181)
    • Procurement
      • Geographic Preference Option for the Procurement of Unprocessed Agricultural Products in Child Nutrition Programs (Final Rule 76 FR 22603)
      • Procurement Requirements for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk Programs (Final Rule 72 FR 61479)
    • School Wellness Policy
    • Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards
      • National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the HHFKA of 2010 (Final Rule Final Rule 81 FR 50131)

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Final Rules

USDA Proposed Rules for Child Nutrition Programs