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Resource | Policy Meal Service Requirements in the Summer Meal Programs, with Questions and Answers – Revised

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on meal service requirements in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option.

12/05/2016
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program Report to Congress: State Implementation Progress, SY 2014-15

This report responds to the requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Direct certification is a process conducted by the states and by local educational agencies to certify eligible children for free meals without the need for household applications. 

12/02/2016
Resource | Print Materials Kids Food Critic Activity

Let kids select a new fruit, vegetable, or recipe to sample. Have them taste the food and rate it based on visual appeal, smell, taste, and texture using a scale of 1 to 5 where 5 is the best.

08/18/2016
Resource | Guidance Documents Water Availability in the CACFP

This memorandum explains the water requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and supersedes CACFP 20-2011, Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2010: Water Availability in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

08/05/2016
Resource | Guidance Documents Optional Best Practices to Further Improve Nutrition in the CACFP

This memorandum outlines best practices and resources to help centers and day care homes implement best practices for updating the meal requirements for the CACFP.

06/30/2016
Resource | Research and Data | General/Other Asset Limits, SNAP Participation, and Financial Stability

This study examines the impact of SNAP asset limits on low-income households’ financial stability, including their participation in traditional financial markets and their ability to weather financial shocks. It found that low-income households with relatively high asset holdings were older and had more education compared to other low-income households.

06/29/2016
Resource | Policy Use of Share Tables in Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum extends the use of share tables to the CACFP’s at-risk afterschool component and provides a reminder to all child nutrition program operators of the opportunity presented by share tables to reduce food waste and the food safety requirements that must be followed when using share tables during meal service.

06/22/2016
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Trends in SNAP Participation Rates: FY 2010-2014

This report is the latest in a series of annual reports presenting information on estimated national SNAP participation rates among people eligible for benefits under federal income and asset rules.

06/01/2016
Resource | Policy Final Rule: CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

This final rule updates the meal pattern requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program to better align them with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

04/25/2016
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Reaching Those in Need: Estimates of State SNAP Participation Rates in 2013

This report – part of an annual series – presents estimates of the percentage of eligible persons, by state, who participated in SNAP during an average month in FY 2013 and in the two previous fiscal years.

02/03/2016
Page updated: June 02, 2026