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.

May 6, 2025 - Public Notification of Request to Waive Congregate Summer Feeding in Cases of Extreme Heat or Poor Air Quality Conditions
TDA is submitting to USDA a request for discretion to waive congregate feeding requirements at outdoor SFSP or SSO sites experiencing extreme heat or poor air quality conditions. If approved, TDA will allow sites in good standing that provide proof of a heat advisory, excessive heat watch, excessive heat warning, or "purple" Air Quality Index to claim meals intended to be consumed offsite. Included in this waiver request are parent pick-up and meal service time flexibilities.


May 5, 2025 - RELEASE: Revised ARM Section 17b, Buy American
Administrator’s Reference Manual (ARM) Section 17b, Buy American has been revised and released. Updates were made to add the remaining Buy American provisions from the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for American.

Updates were made to the following topics:

• Exception Threshold
• Exception Accommodation
• Determining Country of Origin

You can find the ARM at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPPolicyamp;ARM.aspx.

Please replace any previous versions of the above sections that you may have saved.


April 29, 2025 - RELEASE: Household Application Instructions with 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines
English and Spanish versions of the NSLP/SBP and SMP Household Application Instructions have been revised and posted to include the Income Eligibility Guidelines for SY 2025-2026.

These documents can be found in the following locations on SquareMeals:

• SNP
  • https://squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPAdministrationamp;Forms.aspx
  • https://squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/EligibilityandVerification/HouseholdApplications.aspx
• SMP
  • https://squaremeals.org/Programs/Special-Milk-Program/Administration-Forms

March 18, 2025 - RELEASE: 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines
The 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for all child nutrition and household programs have been released and posted to SquareMeals at: https://squaremeals.org/FandN-Resources/Income-Eligibility-Guidelines. Participant income applications that contain the IEGs will be released closer to their effective date of July 1, 2025, and will be available on the applicable Program's Administration/Forms page.


February 14, 2025 - RELEASE - Multiple Sections of the Administrator's Reference Manual (ARM)
Several revised Administrative Reference Manual (ARM) sections have been posted and released. Most updates were made to incorporate elements of the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as recent updates made to 2 CFR 200, the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Further general updates were made to clarify various existing ARM guidance.

Guidance changes and clarifications were made to the following:

• Definitions
• Section 2, Program Application & Agreement
• Section 3, Civil Rights
• Section 4, Eligibility Determination
• Section 7, Breakfast Meals
• Section 8, Lunch Meals
• Section 9, Pre-Kindergarten Meals
• Section 10, Afterschool Snacks & Meals
• Section 14, USDA Foods
• Section 14a, USDA Foods Processing
• Section 16, Financial System
• Section 17, Procurement
• Section 17b, Buy American
• Section 17c, Cooperative Purchasing
• Section 18, Food Service Contracts
• Section 19, Meal Pricing
• Section 21, Meal Service
• Section 22, Competitive Foods
• Section 23, Food Product Labeling
• Section 27, Professional Standards
• Section 29, Local Wellness Policy

February 10, 2025 - RELEASE: School Data for Area Eligibility Report
TDA must, on an annual basis, publish a list of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in which at least one-half of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The School Data for Area Eligibility 2024-2025 report, based on October 2024 claims data for non-CEP schools and the April 2024 CEP ISP report for CEP schools, has been posted to SquareMeals in the following locations:
 

• http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/ChildandAdultCareFoodProgram/CACFPAdministrationamp;Forms.aspx
• http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/SummerFeedingPrograms/SummerFeedingAdministrationamp;Forms.aspx
• https://squaremeals.org/Programs/National-School-Lunch-Program/Administration-Forms

February 7, 2025 - New Ramadan Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver Available!
TDA has posted the new Ramadan Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver Request Form to TX-UNPS Download Forms (SNP-000 SNP Waiver Portal for school districts, CACFP-113 for CACFP CEs). This waiver allows eligible NSLP and CACFP operators in good standing to offer meals that participants in attendance and observing Ramadan can take off-site and consume after fasting. Note that per USDA guidance, this waiver is only available to Contracting Entities operating NSLP, SBP, CACFP At-Risk sites, CACFP Emergency Shelters, CACFP Outside-School-Hours Care Centers, and CACFP Adult Day Care Centers.

Requesting CEs must submit this form and be approved prior to serving any non-congregate meals. In using this waiver, CEs agree to the following:

• Multi-day meal bundling and parent pick-up are not allowed under this waiver.
• Non-congregate meals must only be distributed to participants who have indicated verbally or in writing that they are fasting between February 28 and March 30, 2025.
• If a participant chooses to consume a meal or snack during the day, schools or CACFP operators may not deny a meal or snack because the participant is thought to be fasting.

February 4, 2025 - WEBINAR: 2025 Summer Non-Congregate Feeding
On February 27, 2025, at 2:00 CST, TDA will be hosting an in-depth webinar on the requirements, flexibilities, and best practices related to rural non-congregate summer feeding. To attend, click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81130608739. The link will also be posted on the Summer Non-Congregate Feeding page.

 

February 4, 2025 - RELEASE: Summer 2025 Non-Congregate Request Form and Associated Monitoring Forms
The Summer 2025 Non-Congregate Request Form for sites wishing to operate rural SFSP or SSO non-congregate sites this summer is now available on the Summer Non-Congregate Feeding page. The following associated resources are also available on that page:
 

• Summer Non-Congregate Site Eligibility Map
• Monitoring form prototypes: 
  • SFSP Pre-Operational Review
  • SFSP First Two Week Site Visit Form
  • SFSP Onsite Monitoring Form
  • SSO Onsite Monitoring Form

Summer 2025 Frequently Asked Questions will be available soon. Please familiarize yourself with all rural non-congregate requirements prior to applying and keep checking the Summer Non-Congregate Feeding page for continued updates in the coming weeks and months.

January 19, 2025 - USDA Requests Public Comments on Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting
On February 7, 2023, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued a proposed rule to update Child Nutrition Program (CNP) meal pattern requirements. The rule included a proposal to limit grain-based desserts in the School Breakfast Program to no more than two ounce equivalents per week, consistent with the National School Lunch Program. However, based on public feedback, FNS did not finalize that proposed limit in the final rule, which published on April 25, 2024. Partners raised concerns that the proposal would limit options at school breakfast and recommended that FNS re-evaluate use of grain-based desserts at school breakfast.

Regarding yogurt, the variety of yogurt available at retail and in the K-12 market, including high-protein yogurt (e.g., Greek and Greek-style yogurt), has grown and evolved significantly. Therefore, in 2017, FNS requested public input on whether high-protein yogurt (including Greek and Greek-style yogurt) should credit differently than regular yogurt. Those comments were mixed and, as a result, FNS maintained consistent crediting for all yogurt in the CNPs.

USDA now seeks input to help inform future policymaking, guidance, and technical assistance related to grain-based desserts and high-protein yogurt crediting in Child Nutrition Programs (CNP). Public input may be submitted to USDA through March 26, 2025.

• More information about the request for information can be found on the FNS website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/fr-122624
• Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

November 20, 2024 - Updated Guidance Related to Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has released a policy memo that provides program operators of the child nutrition programs (CNP), including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, with additional information and clarification on the state agency monitoring process regarding the: 1) Child nutrition (CN) label, 2) Watermarked CN label, and 3) manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement (PFS). This memorandum also reflects updates to the CN Label Verification System and provides clarification on the date of authorization found on the CN label versus the “Valid Until” date on the CN Label Verification Report. This memo is located at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/labeling/guidance-accepting-processed-product-documentation.TDA will add any clarifying guidance to Program Handbooks in future updates.


November 6, 2024 - New Guidance Related to Fees for Online Meal Payments
On November 1, 2024, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released SP 04-2025, Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs. This memo states that, effective school year 2027-2028, families with students eligible for reduced-price meal benefits in the school meal programs must not be charged any fees for using electronic payment services in the school meal programs. This requirement ensures that students who are determined eligible for free or reduced-price meal benefits receive the benefits they qualify for without having to pay additional fees along with the cost of a meal. The memo also offers best practices and strategies for school food authorities to ensure that all families are aware of payment options and to ease the financial burden that electronic payment processing fees impose on families. This memorandum supersedes SP 02-2015, Online Fees in the School Meal Programs.

This policy is effective SY 2027-2028, or the school year immediately following the expiration of the school food authority’s current contract with a payment processing company, if the contract expires after SY 2027-2028. FNS is delaying implementation of this requirement to provide ample lead time to allow SFAs to modify current systems and/or establish new contracts; however, SFAs are encouraged to implement this requirement as soon as they are able. SFAs may use funds in the nonprofit school food service account to cover the fees under their current contract.

The entire memo is available at: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/electronic-payments-fees
These updates will be included in a future ARM release.


November 6, 2024 - RELEASE: Updated Pre-Award Civil Rights Compliance Review Form
The Pre-Award Civil Rights Compliance Review Form must be completed by new Contracting Entities (CEs) in all Child Nutrition and Household Programs prior to being approved for participation. This form has recently been updated to clarify that visual observation to obtain estimated racial/ethnic data is not allowable in CACFP and SFSP. Note that it is not explicitly prohibited in any other program at this time. The form has also been updated with additional sources that a prospective CE may use to obtain the estimated data for the upcoming program year. The updated form is available in TX-UNPS and on each applicable program's Administration/Forms page.


November 6, 2024 - Crosswalk of 2 CFR 200 Updates Posted on SquareMeals
On October 25, TDA posted news on SquareMeals about updates to 2 CFR 200. While most updates are non-substantive in nature, some operators have requested to see a full list of the 560 changes to the regulation. Click here to see a USDA-provided crosswalk of all changes to 2 CFR 200.


October 25, 2024 - Updates to Federal Financial Regulations (2 CFR 200)
On October 1, 2024, a Final Rule was implemented that made significant updates to 2 CFR 200. While most changes appear to not affect the Nutrition and Household Programs administered by TDA, there are several changes that will impact our operators, including:

• Equipment threshold increased from $5,000 to $10,000. This means that as of October 1, 2024, only equipment purchases of $10,000 or more require a Capital Expenditure request.
• The single audit threshold has increased from $750,000 to $1,000,000. This means that any operator that expends more than $1,000,000 in Fiscal Year 2025 will need to conduct a single audit. Note that any operator that expended more that $750,000 in FY 2024 will also need a single audit.
• The aggregate amount of unused supplies (including computers under $10,000 each) that an operator can retain or sell at the time of closeout has been increased from $5,000 to $10,000. Note that if the amount is over $10,000, TDA will be entitled to a percentage of the fair market value of the supplies or the amount received in the sale of those supplies.

• Schools choosing to offer vegetables at breakfast in place of fruits one day per week may offer vegetables from any vegetable subgroup.
• Schools choosing to offer vegetables at breakfast in place of fruits on two or more days per week must offer vegetables from at least two different vegetable subgroups over the course of the week.

• Explanation of existing requirements maintained by the Final Rule.
• The allowed use of pasteurized lactose-free/lactose-reduced milk, cultured milk, acidified milk, and Ultra High Temperature Milk.
• Product-based added sugar limits in school meals and its affect on offered milk beginning July 1, 2025.
• Use of nondairy fluid milk substitutes for disability and non-disability reasons

To see the memo and get more information on fluid milk requirements, please visit: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/fluid-milk-requirements-schools


August 27, 2024 - RELEASE: Updated Spanish versions of NSLP and SMP Household Applications, Application Letters, and Eligibility Letters
Revised Spanish versions of the NSLP and SMP Household Applications, Application Letters, and Eligibility Letters were published on the SquareMeals Administration/Forms and Eligibility pages. These documents were updated to reflect the correct version of the Spanish nondiscrimination statement. There is no action required if you have already distributed these items with the incorrect Spanish NDS. Please use the latest Spanish version if you have not yet distributed eligibility determination letters.


August 6, 2024 - Public Notification of Request to Waive SSO Reviews for School Food Authorities with No Findings during an Administrative Review in the Prior School Year
TDA is requesting a waiver from USDA that would exempt TDA from conducting a required Seamless Summer Option (SSO) review when a School Food Authority’s (SFA’s) NSLP Administrative Review conducted in the same school year resulted in no findings.

USDA approved the same waiver during the last NSLP review cycle, and TDA now seeks to implement this new waiver for the duration of its new 5-year cycle

Note that TDA will only use this waiver for SFAs operating standard congregate SSO service in the summer after the NSLP review. 


July 31, 2024 - RELEASE: Updated Excess Net Cash Resources Plan for SNP operators
An updated Excess Net Cash Resources Plan form has been released and posted to SquareMeals.org to reflect TDA’s discretion to expand the excess net cash resource threshold from 3 months to six months’ average expenditures. Note that this applies to school nutrition program operators only.

This change is not retroactive, and any school food authority that has already submitted a spend-down plan for having an excess of three months’ average expenditures in its account must adhere to its submitted plan.

The form can be located in the Forms table here on SquareMeals: https://squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/AdministrationForms.aspx


July 30, 2024 - Unanticipated School Closure Non-Congregate Flexibilities Approved by USDA
USDA has given TDA the discretion to approve specific flexibilities and waivers for school districts experiencing an unanticipated school closure during School Year 2024-2025. These flexibilities include non-congregate service, meal service time exceptions, waiver of OVS requirements, parent pick-up flexibilities, service at the closed school site, and waiver of enrichment activities (if operating CACFP At-Risk during the closure). It also allows for SFSP and SSO to be operated at any time during the school year in the event of an unanticipated closure. Note that all non-congregate flexibilities will only be approved for a maximum of 10 calendar days at one time.

Schools experiencing a closure must submit the recently updated Unanticipated School Closure Notification Form currently published on the NSLP Administration/Forms page. Please refer to ARM Section 24, Disaster Situations, for specific guidance on operating during an unanticipated school closure.


July 25, 2024 - RELEASE: Revised Letter to Household - Eligibility Determination - Multiple Templates (SPANISH)
TDA has revised the Spanish version of the Eligibility Determination Letters to Household Suite to update the timeframe for requesting an appeal from 10 business days to 10 calendar days.


July 12, 2024 - SY 2024-2025 Reimbursement Rates for School Nutrition Programs Published
The 2024-2025 reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program have been posted on the NSLP Reimbursement Rates page: https://squaremeals.org/Programs/National-School-Lunch-Program/Reimbursement-Rates. Note that the performance-based reimbursement for eligible Contracting Entities is increasing from 8 cents to 9 cents.

• Texas Administrative Code, 4.1: General Procedures
• Texas Administrative Code, 4.25: Special Nutrition Programs
• Texas Administrative Code, 4.26: Food and Nutrition Division
• Texas Administrative Code, 4.26.E: Appeal Procedures for F&N

The USDA interactive Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG) allows CEs to search creditable food items for food yield information to help determine the specific contribution each food item makes towards a reimbursable meal in all Child Nutrition Programs. It also provides useful tools, such as the Recipe Analysis Workbook and the Product Formulation Statement Workbook. In addition, with yield data for more than 2,100 food items, this guide provides ideas for adding new foods or new versions of familiar foods to your menus. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize that a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains, especially dark green and red/orange vegetables and whole grains, are key elements of a healthful diet.

Contracting entities may also use the following resources to assist in ensuring that meals meet program requirements for reimbursement:

• USDA’s Exhibit A: Grain Requirements for Child Nutrition Programs for crediting grains.
• The Food Buying Guide Calculator for Child Nutrition Programs, an app-based calculator developed by USDA’s Team Nutrition and the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), to determine how much of each item to purchase to provide the number of servings needed.

NOTE: Contents of all Food Buying Guide Supplements previously found on this page have been incorporated into the FBG. Requests for copies of archived Food Buying Guide Supplements can be emailed to FNDPolicy@Texasagriculture.gov. In the subject of the email, list the full name of the Food Buying Guide Supplement requested.

HB 1305—Breakfast Mandate
Starting with School Year 2015-2016, public and charter schools that are mandated to offer breakfast may operate a locally funded breakfast program in lieu of the federally funded School Breakfast Program. 

School districts or charter schools may have schools that operate the School Breakfast Program and other schools that operate a locally funded breakfast program. In these cases, the school district or charter school must fully fund its locally funded breakfast program from resources other than the Child Nutrition Program. 

Locally funded breakfast programs are eligible for state compensatory funding. Please note state compensatory funding is administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

HB 3562—Charge Policy
If a school district allows students to use prepaid meal cards or accounts to purchase school meals, the district must establish a grace period during which a student is able to charge meals after the prepaid funds are exhausted.  

The school district must also notify the student’s parent or guardian that the student’s meal card or account balance is exhausted. The district is not allowed to charge a fee or interest in connection with meals purchased by the students during the grace period. When the school district notifies the student’s parent or guardian that the student has a negative balance, the district may set a repayment schedule for the meal charges.