Menu Planning and Meal Patterns

Summer meal programs help children get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months. Discover the components of the nutritious, well-balanced, and age-appropriate meals served.

Food Safety

• Share Table Reference Sheet
• Tips for Minimizing the Spread of Illness in Child Nutrition Programs
• Printable Food and Safety Guidance Flyer–English | Arabic | Chinese | Khmer | Korean | Marshallese | Punjabi | Russian | Somalian | Spanish | Ukranian | Vietnamese

Meal Pattern

• SFSP Meal Pattern
• NSLP/SBP Meal Pattern
• USDA Meal Pattern Comparison Chart

Menu Planning

• SFSP Menu Planner Template
• SFSP Sample Menus
• Minimum Food Specifications
• USDA Food Buying Calculator
• USDA Food Buying Guide
• USDA Summer Meals Handbooks
• Child Nutrition Recipe Box
• MyPlate Kitchen Recipes

Offer vs. Serve

• USDA Offer vs Serve video
• SFSP Offer vs. Serve

Production Documentation

• Tips for Processed Products Documentation
• USDA Guidance for Processed Product Documentation

Production Record

• SFSP Production Record