2026 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).
2026
2025
Policy Memo Number Title Release Date Description Newsletter Program
SP 02-2026, CACFP 01-2026, SFSP 01-2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 - Eat Real Food

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.

 USDA Policy Memo on Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030 National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
SP 01-2026 Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 - Implementation Requirements for the National School Lunch Program

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). 

 1/20 CNS Special Update National School Lunch Program (NSLP)