USDA Launches Child Nutrition Programs Food Industry Toolkit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has launched a centralized online Child Nutrition Programs Food Industry Toolkit designed to help food companies that supply products for USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

The online resource brings together information intended to help industry understand program requirements, determine how food products may contribute toward meal-pattern requirements, and identify documentation that may be needed

Supporting Food Companies Serving Child Nutrition Programs

The toolkit is intended for food companies that provide products to operators participating in USDA Child Nutrition Programs, including school meal programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program.

Rather than establishing new requirements, the toolkit provides a centralized location for existing USDA resources that food manufacturers and suppliers may need when developing or documenting products for these programs.

Resources Available Through the Toolkit

The Child Nutrition Programs Food Industry Toolkit brings together information and resources covering topics such as:

• Child Nutrition labeling
• Product formulation statements
• Food crediting
• Alternate protein products
• Nutrient data
• Meal-pattern requirements
• Documentation supporting how products contribute toward program requirements

For manufacturers developing products for schools and other Child Nutrition Program operators, these resources can help clarify how products are evaluated and what supporting information may be needed.

Why This Resource May Be Useful for Industry

Supplying foods to Child Nutrition Programs can involve requirements that extend beyond conventional food labeling and product development considerations.

Manufacturers may need to understand how ingredients and finished products credit toward USDA meal patterns and be able to provide appropriate documentation to customers participating in these programs.

By bringing these resources together in one location, USDA is providing food companies with a more direct starting point for understanding the requirements that may apply to products intended for the child nutrition marketplace.

EAS Perspective

Food manufacturers that currently supply or are considering developing products for schools and other USDA Child Nutrition Programs may find the new toolkit useful when evaluating product formulation, labeling, crediting, and documentation needs.

Companies should understand both the regulatory requirements generally applicable to their products and the additional program-specific requirements that may apply when foods are intended for USDA Child Nutrition Programs.