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Child Nutrition Programs Food Industry Toolkit

A Resource Hub for Food Industry Partners

This toolkit contains resources for use by food industry to understand meal pattern requirements for USDA child nutrition programs (CNP), how food products may contribute toward the meal pattern requirements, and food product documentation used in the CNP.

illustration of a school loading dock

  • Child Nutrition Labels

    Answers to common questions, instructions, and policy and guidance documents.

    View CN Labeling Resources

  • Product Formulation Statements

    Key guidance, templates, samples, and tips for evaluation.

    View PFS Materials

  • Alternate Protein Products

    Frequently asked questions and sample documentation.

    View APP Information

  • Child Nutrition Database

    Food product nutrient data and resources for industry partners interested in publishing their data.

    View CN Database

  • Food Buying Guide for CNP

    Essential food yield information and the Product Formulation Statement Workbook for registered vendor users.

    View Food Buying Guide

  • Crediting Tip Sheets

    Quick references on how to credit the five meal components in CNP.

    View Tip Sheets

  • CACFP Crediting Handbook

    A supplementary resource to the Food Buying Guide with additional information on creditable foods served in the CACFP.

    View Handbook

  • USDA Foods in Schools

    Resources for vendors supplying American-grown foods through the USDA Foods in Schools program.

    View Resources

Nutrition Standards

  • CACFP

    Find regulations, meal pattern tables, policy memos, and more related to meals and snacks served in the CACFP.

    View CACFP Standards

  • School Meals

    Explore guidance for school meal regulations, meal patterns, and more.

    View School Meals Standards

  • Summer

    Review meal pattern charts for breakfast, lunch, supper, and snack.

    View Summer Standards
Page updated: October 23, 2026