SNP Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
The most recent guidance manuals, management bulletins, and other materials needed for proper administration of the School Nutrition Programs (SNP).Guidance | Manuals | Resources
Guidance
Administrative Review
Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) administrative review.
Cafeteria Fund Guidance
Provides school food authorities (SFA) with information and instructions pertaining to federal and state statutes and regulations that govern school cafeteria funds.
Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the child nutrition and food distribution programs.
Confidentiality-School Nutrition Programs
Provides information regarding the confidentiality restrictions and allowances available to SFAs that apply to the disclosure of information on an free and reduced-price (F/RP) eligibility application pursuant to state and federal laws.
Direct Certification
A federally mandated process that sponsors must use to certify school-age recipients of CalFresh and CalWORKs benefits as eligible for free school meals without further application.
Disaster Guidance for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)
Includes claiming and reimbursement information, policy guidance, resources, and contacts for all disasters that affect the CNPs.
Earned Income Tax Credit Information Act
Local education agencies (LEAs) participating in the National School Lunch
Program (NSLP) are required to notify households in their school district on the
availability of the federal and the California Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
Ensuring Adequate Time to Eat
Resources and information to help LEAs ensure that students have adequate seated time to eat their meal after being served.
Forms
Forms and completed sample forms for use by SNP sponsors.
Management Bulletins
SNP management bulletins organized by calendar year.
Disability Modifications Including Food Allergies
Includes overview, background, definitions, meal modification information, compliance, trainings, resources, policy, frequently asked questions, and contacts regarding modifications to accommodate children in the SNPs.
Nutrition Requirements
Information and resources on menu planning, preparation documentation, and meal patterns for sponsors participating in the in the SNP.
Payment Information and Forms
Fiscal information to aid nutrition sponsors and to provide information about claiming meal reimbursements.
Plate Waste Prevention
Information on plate waste including strategies, best practices, and resources for sponsors participating in CNPs.
Provisions
School Nutrition Programs Provisions 1, 2, and 3, and the Community Eligibility Provision are alternative ways for LEAs to claim student meals.
School Breakfast Program and Summer Meal Programs Start-up and Expansion Grants
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants, administered by the California Department of Education, provide schools with funding to start-up or expand their SBP and SMP.
School Menu Planning Options
Information and resources on the new Food-Based Menu Planning approach for the NSLP and the SBP.
School Nutrition Programs Application Process
Provides information on the requirements for applying for the NSLP and SBP.
School Nutrition Programs Eligibility
Each school year, LEAs must determine and certify a student’s eligibility to qualify for F/RP meals or free milk benefits.
Verification Materials
SNP verification materials including applications, forms, and materials for the annual, mandatory verification process for eligibility of a sample of completed household meal eligibility applications.
- Verification Reporting
In January of each year, all LEAs must complete and submit a verification report through the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS)
using the verification report function.
Manuals
USDA Manuals
- Eligibility
Manual for School Meals
Guidance from the USDA for determining children's eligibility for free and reduced-price meals.
- Food Buying Guide
USDA's guide to plan, purchase, prepare, and serve nourishing meals for the CNPs. - Provision
2 Guidance Manual
(PDF)
USDA's guidance for schools participating in the Provision 2 alternative for collecting and certifying free and reduced-price eligibility under the NSLP and the SBP.
USDA Resources
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)
The e-CFR is a currently updated version of the Code of Federal Regulations. Federal regulations pertaining to School Nutrition Programs are Title 7, Part 210, National School Lunch Program; Part 215, Special Milk Program for Children; Part 220, School Breakfast Program; and Part 245, Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools.
USDA Resources
- Nutrition Programs
The USDA web page for information about the administration of SNPs.
- School Breakfast Program Expansion
The USDA online resource to help promote and expand SBPs as a way of supporting positive health and educational outcomes for children.
- Team
Nutrition
The USDA web page for nutrition education and training materials.