2025 USDA Policy Memos
These resources are developed by United States Department of Agriculture to ensure compliance with all relevant federal laws, executive orders, directives, and policies related to the Child Nutrition Programs. Regulations and policy memos offer guidance and clarifications for State Agencies and sponsors operating these programs:
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP),
- School Breakfast Program (SBP),
- Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP),
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and
- Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
| Policy Memo Number | Title | Release Date | Description | Newsletter | Program |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP 07-2025, CACFP 07-2025 | Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dieticians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities | This memorandum outlines the requirement to accept medical statements from registered dietitians. It includes questions and answers to help program operators understand the new requirements. |
Update: Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities | National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) | |
| CACFP 06-2025 | Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the CACFP, Q&A | This memorandum updates guidance to support CACFP operations following the publication of the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. |
January 13 C.A.R.E. - Child and Adult Care Food Program Newsletter | Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) | |
| CACFP 05-2025 | Grain Requirements in the CACFP; Questions and Answers | Update: CACFP 05-2025, Grain Requirements in the CACFP; Q&A | Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) | ||
| SP 06-2025 | National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants: Installation and Expenditures | National School Lunch Program (NSLP) | |||
| SP 05-2025, CACFP 04, 2025, SFSP 02-2025 | Updated Policy Memo: Guidance and Clarification on CN Lables Effective Dates | This policy memo provides Child Nutrition Program operators, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), with additional information and clarification on the State Agency monitoring process regarding the:
|
November 25 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Newsletter | National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) | |
| SP 04-2025 | Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs | This memorandum clarifies policy related to fees associated with electronic (online) payments in the school meal programs. |
November 25 School Meals and Food Distribution Programs Newsletter | National School Lunch Program (NSLP) | |
| CACFP 02-2025 | Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program | This memorandum outlines the use of Offer Versus Serve in adult day care and at-risk afterschool settings and the use of family-style meals in the CACFP. |
Update: CACFP 02-2025, Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program | Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) | |
| CACFP 01-2025 | Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk and Fluid Milk Substitutions in the CACFP, Questions and Answers | This memorandum provides questions and answers about requirements for fluid milk and fluid milk substitutions. |
November 12 Child and Adult Care Food Program Newsletter | Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) | |
| SP 02-2025 | Substitution of Vegetables for Fruit Flexibility in the School Breakfast Program: Questions and Answers for Program Operators | This memorandum provides updated guidance on the substitution of vegetables for fruits in the School Breakfast Program (SBP). |
October 28 School Meals and Food Distribution Programs Newsletter | National School Lunch Program (NSLP) | |
| SP 1-2025 | Fluid Milk Requirements for School Meals | This memorandum updates and clarifies current guidance for fluid milk requirements in school meal programs. |
October 28 School Meals and Food Distribution Programs Newsletter | National School Lunch Program (NSLP) |