2026 USDA Policy Memos

This memo provides guidance on the accommodation process for school food authorities that cannot meet the 10% non-domestic food purchase threshold outlined in 7 CFR 210.21(d)(8) and 7 CFR 220.16(d)(8) for SY 2026–2027.

The USDA published the final rule, Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs (91 FR 25073) that went into effect June 8, 2026. 

This rule expands fluid milk options by allowing operators of the NSLP, SBP, Afterschool Snack Program (ASP), CACFP, and Special Milk Program for Children (SMP) to offer whole and 2% reduced-fat milk to participants two years and older.

This policy memo emphasizes program integrity in non-congregate operations. It describes best practices and considerations for parent or guardian pick-up, site caps, site proximity, and home delivery.

This policy memo provides the Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2026-27.  

This policy memo clarifies the impacts of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 on the School Meal Programs:

• Crediting of Vegetables at Breakfast
  • Any vegetable may be offered in place of fruit at breakfast without including vegetables from other subgroups in weekly menus. This provision is effective immediately through SY 2026–27.
• Prohibition on the Use of Chicken and Seafood from China
  • Program funds may not be used to procure poultry or seafood products imported from the People’s Republic of China through September 30, 2026.
• Compliance with Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Requirements for SY 2026–27
  • LEAs with a negative balance in the non-profit school food service account on June 30, 2025, are required to establish a price for paid lunches, unless operating CEP or Provision 2 district wide.
  • LEAs with a positive balance in the non-profit school food service account on June 30, 2025, are exempt from PLE pricing requirements

This policy memo encourages Child Nutrition Program operators to incorporate locally raised beef into program meals when feasible. The memo does not add new requirements; but highlights existing flexibilities and provides resources on procurement, funding, food safety, and crediting. Please note that entitlement dollars cannot be used to purchase food outside the USDA Food Distribution Program.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 02-2026, CACFP 01-2026, SFSP 01-2026: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 – Eat Real Food. This policy memo is guidance only and does not create new requirements. The memo explains how the updated Dietary Guidelines apply to Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

USDA is actively developing a proposed rule to update Child Nutrition Program standards and meal pattern requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to align with the goals of the updated Dietary Guidelines. Until a final rule implementing changes to meal pattern requirements is complete, all operators should continue meeting current program requirements.

• NSLP/SBP Meal Pattern Chart
• CACFP Child | Infant | Adult Meal Pattern Charts
• SFSP Meal Pattern Chart

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released SP 01-2026: Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 – Implementation Requirements for the National School Lunch Program. The law immediately expands the types of milk schools may offer through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Flexibilities do NOT apply to the School Breakfast Program (SBP), the Afterschool Snack Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), or the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).