Latest News for School Nutrition Programs

2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act's Impact on Child Nutrition Programs

Published: 233 days ago
" On March 9, 2024, the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law that provides new guidelines for School Nutrition Program sodium targets, service of low-fat flavored milk, vegetable substitutions in the School Breakfast Program, procurement of poultry from China, and NSLP Paid Lunch Equity requirements for School Year 2024-2025.
"
On March 9, 2024, the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law that provides new guidelines affecting the Child Nutrition Programs, as follows:
  • Current School Year 2023–2024 sodium limits for the School Nutrition Programs shall remain effective through School Year 2026–2027, after which sodium limits that may be included in any rulemaking, notice, or guidance will not be more restrictive than the established Target 2 sodium levels.
  • Service of low fat or fat free flavored milk in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) for grades Kindergarten through 12th grade and in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for participants 6 years of age and older remains allowable.
  • School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in SBP can continue to credit any vegetable offered, including potatoes and other starchy vegetables, in place of fruit without including vegetables from other sub-groups in the weekly menus.
  • No Child Nutrition Program funds can be used to procure raw or processed poultry products or seafood imported into the United States from the People’s Republic of China. -- SFAs with a zero or positive balance in their non-profit food service account as of June 30, 2023, are exempt from Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) requirements

###




Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
SquareMeals.org Logo

Facebook Icon Instagram Icon
Twitter Icon YouTube Icon