All the most current resources you need to successfully operate the School Nutrition Programs are available here. TDA keeps this page updated with any new policy updates and news, including the following:
- Handbook release notices with update summaries
- Form release notices
- Brand new policy updates that have not yet been updated within the handbooks
- FAQs and other resources, as required
Please bookmark this page and check back periodically.
August 29, 2025 - Increase to the Formal Procurement Threshold
On September 1, 2025, in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1173, which raises the formal procurement threshold for school districts from $50,000 to $100,000, TDA is also raising the formal procurement threshold to $100,000 for all nutrition and household programs. As such, beginning September 1, any single transaction over $10,000 but below $100,000 will require the small purchase method, and transactions of $100,000 and over will require formal procurement. TDA is in the process of updating these thresholds in all program handbooks.
UPDATE - August 15, 2025 - Release of USDA Foods Rate of Assistance
On August 15, USDA published the USDA Foods Rate of Assistance for School Year 2025-2026. Even though the Cash-in-lieu value of donated foods increased by half a penny to $0.3050, the overall rate of assistance of $0.45 remains unchanged from SY 2024-2025.
July 17, 2025 - Guidance on Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service released SP 18-2025, Guidance on Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs. Effective immediately, this memorandum rescinds SP 04-2025, Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs, which was issued on November 1, 2024. The rescinded memo had previously issued a requirement to eliminate service fees for students using an online system to purchase reduced-price meals by School Year 2027-2028. While that requirement has been rescinded, this memo clarifies that any School Food Authority using a system charging additional service fees for purchased meals must also offer a free and accessible method for all families to add money to student meal accounts. SFAs must notify families of available payment options and any associated fees in ways that are easy to find and understand.
this memo also provides best practices for increasing the awareness of payment options and strategies for reducing or eliminating online fees. more information can be found here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals/guidance-fees-electronic-payment-services
July 17, 2025 - Guidance on the Interpretation of Discrimination Based on “Sex” in USDA Child Nutrition Programs
USDA has rescinded the May 2022 Bostock policy update that sought to require federally-funded food and nutrition service programs to redefine discrimination by reason of “sex” under title ix of the education amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA) as not based on just male or female, but also “gender identity.” While an official updated nondiscrimination statement has not been issued by USDA, Contracting Entities should update electronic resources and any newly printed materials to reflect the version of the NDS available on Squaremeals. TDA will continue to provide guidance on any further updates to the NDS. More information is available here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/guidance-discrimination-sex