NSLP and SBP Meal Patterns

Includes meal pattern requirements, online trainings, resources, compliance, policy guidance, and questions and answers for sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Overview

On January 26, 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs final rule outlining nutrition standards for sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). The nutrition standards align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to reflect evidence-based nutrition science. The meal pattern requirements went into effect October 1, 2013 and were implemented in phases. This web page was updated as of October 2019.

Meal Pattern Requirements for Breakfast and Lunch

Infant

Breakfast and Lunch Meal Pattern for Infants (PDF)
A Quick Reference Chart with the meal pattern requirements for the SBP and NSLP for infant's age birth to 11 months.

Preschool

Breakfast Meal Pattern for Preschool (PDF)
A quick reference chart with the meal pattern requirements for the SBP for 1-2 and 3-5 year old students (page 1).

Lunch Meal Pattern for Preschool (PDF)
A quick reference chart with the meal pattern requirements for the NSLP for 1-2 and 3-5 year old students (page 2).

Grades K-12

Breakfast Meal Pattern for Grades K-12
A quick reference chart with the meal pattern requirements for the SBP for grades K-12.

Lunch Meal Pattern for Grades K-12
A quick reference chart with the meal pattern requirements for the NSLP grades K-12

Meal Pattern for Breakfast and Lunch: Short and Long Weeks for Grades K-12
A quick reference chart with the meal pattern requirements for regular operating short and long weeks for both the NSLP and SBP for grades K-12.

Additional Meal Pattern Information

Vegetable Subgroup List for Breakfast and Lunch for Grades K-12
The list of vegetables found in each of the required vegetable subgroup categories for the NSLP and SBP

Sodium Reduction: Timeline and Amount
A timeline with the specific grade group, target and amount of sodium allowed in the NSLP and SBP.

Recent changes to the sodium reduction timeline and amount is reflected in Management Bulletin SNP-20-2019 School Meal Flexibilities: Providing Quality Meals.

Online Trainings

This section includes online trainings that assist participants in the NSLP and SBP in implementing the meal pattern requirements.

Nutrition

Course Number	Course Name	Training Topic
040	Foundations of Nutrition: My Plate	General Nutrition
100	Powering Up with Plant-Based Menus and Marketing	Menu Planning
131	School Breakfast, the Most Important Meal of the Day	Menu Planning
169	Plant-power in the Kitchen	Menu Planning
173	Foundations of Nutrition: 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans	General Nutrition
226	Introduction to the School Lunch Meal Pattern	Menu Planning
812	Determining Whole Grain Rich Items in School Meals	General Nutrition
894	Powering Up with Plant-Based Programs	Menu Planning
USDA (External)	Incorporating Traditional Foods in Child Nutrition Program Menus	Menu Planning

Operations

Course Number	Course Name	Training Topic
130	Culinary Basics	Food Production

Additional Online Training Databases

To find additional online training databases, visit the:

USDA's Professional Standards for School Nutrition Professionals web page to search for trainings related to the key areas nutrition, operation, administration, and marketing.
Institute of Child Nutrition Courses and Learning Plans web page to search for school nutrition trainings by selecting the Filter tab and choosing "School Nutrition".
Chef Ann Foundation The Lunch Box web page to access Webinars related to increasing participation, implementing farm-to-school with recipes and cycle menus, implementing and growing a successful After-the-Bell breakfast program and much more!

For more related meal pattern online trainings, you can visit the California Department of Education (CDE) Child Nutrition Program Course Catalog.

Resources

Guides, Manuals, and Worksheets
Forms
Whole Grain Resources
Recipe Resources
Salad Bar Resources
Nutrition Education Resources
General Resources

Guides, Manuals, and Worksheets

Resource	Description
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Buying Guide	The online manual assists sponsors in buying the appropriate amount and type of food and to determine the specific contribution each food makes toward the meal pattern requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
USDA Offer Versus Serve: Guidance for the NSLP and the SBP	The online manual for SY 2015–16 assisting with the implementation of Offer Versus Serve (OVS). OVS allows students to decline some of the food offered in a reimbursable lunch or breakfast. This is the latest version of the OVS manual.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Serving Up a Successful School Breakfast Program (PDF)	The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction developed a guide for implementing school breakfast programs called Serving Up a Successful School Breakfast Program.
USDA Certification of Compliance Worksheets: 5-day Schedule web page	The certification worksheets to assist in determining if your menu is meeting the requirements.
USDA Approved Nutrient Analysis Software	A list of nutrient analysis software approved for use in the NSLP and SBP.
USDA Foods Product Information Sheets	Fact sheets categorized by food type that describe the items expected to be available for schools participating in the NSLP and SBP.

Forms

Resource	Description
The California Department of Education (CDE) Menu Production Record (MPR) Forms	Example forms used by food service personnel to determine the amount of food to serve for menu production.
CDE Information Required on MPR	The information required on the MPR.
CDE Standardized Recipe Form (PDF)	These example forms are used by food service that describes the exact, measurable amount of ingredients and the method of preparation needed to consistently produce a high-quality food product.
CDE Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodation (DOC)	This form is used by parents/guardians to have a medical authority prescribe special meals or accommodations during meals in the NSLP and SBP.

Whole Grain Resources

Resource	Description
USDA Whole Grain Resource Guide	A guide for meeting the whole grain-rich criteria for school meals. It includes exercises on identifying products that meet the whole grain-rich criteria and calculation examples.
USDA Exhibit A: School Lunch and Breakfast (PDF)	Exhibit A provides a list of grains and quantities to determine the ounce equivalents of whole grain and whole grain-rich food items used in the NSLP and SBP.

Recipe Resources

Resource	Description
CDE Culinary Centers Standardized Recipes	A collection of California school district culinary center recipes. Each recipe includes a photo, student taste tasting score, contribution to the meal pattern, and nutrient analysis.
USDA Standardized Recipes	A collection of standardized recipes that provide crediting information, including the vegetable subgroups. They also include recipes made with legumes, whole grains, and/or dark green, red, and/or orange vegetables.
The Humane Society of the United States Forward Food Recipes list (PDF)	A collection of 100 plus healthy, delicious, meat-free plant-strong recipes with grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits created by their classically trained chef.
Chef Ann Foundation Plant Forward Recipes	A collection of student tasted and approved plant-forward recipes, which includes the ingredients, instructions, and contribution to the meal pattern.

Salad Bar Resources

Resource	Description
Chef Ann’s The Lunch Box Salad Bar Resources	An assortment of information, resources, and training materials to assist with salad bar implementation.
Chef Ann Foundation Salad Bars to Schools	Information about applying for funding to receive salad bar equipment.
Minnesota Department of Health Field Guide to Salad Bars in Schools (PDF)	A guide to implementing salad bars in schools.

Nutrition Education Resources

Resource	Description
California Department of Public Health Harvest of the Month web page	Education materials that feature 36 California grown fruits and vegetables including free parent newsletters and posters.
USDA Team Nutrition	Information and resources to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice and nutrition education. Free USDA Team Nutrition materials are available to school nutrition professionals and are designed to motivate children into making healthier choices in the cafeteria and beyond.

General Resources

Resource	Description
USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program	Information about using USDA Foods entitlement dollars to buy fresh produce.
USDA Fresh Voices on Healthy School Meals Video	This 5-minute video presents students, schools, and cafeteria personnel giving their views on the new standards for healthier school meals, based on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.
CDE Plate Waste Prevention in Child Nutrition Programs web page	Information and resources for preventing plate waste.
CDE Smarter Lunchrooms Movement Resources web page	Information and resources to implement the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement principles that use low or no-cost solutions to promote healthful eating behaviors and reduce waste.
USDA Food Loss and Waste web page	Information and resources for preventing plate waste.
State of California CalRecycle School Waste Reduction web page	Information and resources for waste reduction and recycling.
CDE Competitive Foods and Beverages web page	Information about the rules for competitive foods in California.
CDE Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities web page	Information about the requirements for serving nondairy substitutes for students who do not have a disability.

Compliance

The California Department of Education (CDE) monitors compliance with the meal pattern during the Administrative Review (AR). ARs occur approximately every three years. The CDE provides technical assistance when the standards are not met. There will be an off site assessment (OAT) and an on-site review. Please see the following AR guidance:

Administrative Review Off-site Assessment Tool (OAT) Guidance
Sponsors are required to fill out the OAT prior to the on-site review. To download the OAT guidance in Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS), select School Nutrition Programs (SNP), select applications, downloadable forms, and Form ID SNP 58 AR. For meal pattern information, refer to page 11 and questions numbered 600–602.
Administrative Review Guidance Chart
Once the OAT is completed, the AR reviewer conducts an on-site review to validate the information submitted in the OAT and to observe the operation of programs at the SFA and in selected schools. Prior to the on-site AR, the state reviewer sends sponsors the Administrative Review Guidance Chart, so sponsors can prepare all required documents for the on-site AR. To download the guidance chart in CNIPS, select SNP, select applications, downloadable forms, and Form ID SNP 42. For meal pattern information, refer to pages 6–9.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Administrative Review Manual 2018–19
USDA/Food and Nutrition Service provides general guidance to state agencies on the areas of review. For complete transparency and to download the AR Manual in CNIPS, select SNP, select applications, downloadable forms, and Form ID MANUAL AR. For meal pattern information, refer to pages 66-109.

For more information regarding Administrative Reviews, you can visit the CDE’s School Nutrition Programs Administrative Review web page.

Policy Guidance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Education (CDE) issued the following policy memoranda related to the meal pattern on the NSLP and SBP. When merited, the CDE will release a subsequent management bulletin (MB) to include state specific policy guidance and/or further explain or clarify the topic.

Calendar Year 2019

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
8/2019	The CDE	Meal Pattern	School Meal Flexibilities: Providing Quality Meals in California	SNP-20-2019
8/2019	The USDA	Crediting Updates for CNPs	Crediting Coconut, Hominy, Corn Masa, and Masa Harina in the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)	SP34-2019
7/2019	The USDA	Donated Traditional Foods and Civil Liability	Farm Bill Implementation Memo: Donated Traditional Foods and Civil Liability	SP31-2019
4/2019	The USDA	Crediting Updates for CNPs	Crediting Pasta Products Made of Vegetable Flour in the Child Nutrition Programs	SP26-2019
4/2019	The USDA	Crediting Updates for CNPs	Crediting Tempeh in the Child Nutrition Programs	SP25-2019
4/2019	The USDA	Crediting Updates for CNPs	Crediting Surimi Seafood in the Child Nutrition Programs	SP24-2019
4/2019	The USDA	Crediting Updates for CNPs	Crediting Popcorn in the Child Nutrition Programs	SP23-2019
4/2019	The USDA	Crediting Updates for CNPs	Crediting Shelf-Stable, Dried and Semi-Dried Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Products in the Child Nutrition Programs	SP21-2019

Calendar Year 2018

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
12/2018	The USDA	Meal Pattern Crediting	Update of Food Crediting in the Child Nutrition Programs	SP 08-2019, CACFP 02-2019, SFSP 02-2019
2/2018	The CDE	Donation of Leftover Food	Guidance on the Donation of leftover Food in the Child Nutrition Programs	CNP-02-2018
2/2018	The CDE	The Use of Share Tables	The Use of Share Tables	CNP-03-2018

Calendar Year 2017

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
9/2017	The CDE	Meal Pattern	Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the Child Nutrition Programs	CNP-09-2017
8/2017	The CDE	Meal Patterns	Child and Adult Care Food Program New Meal Patterns Requirements, Compliance, and Resources	CNP-06-2017
3/2017	The CDE	Special Dietary Needs	Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in School Meal Programs	SNP-02-2017
2/2017	The CDE	Potable Water	Availability of Potable Water to Children and Allowable Costs	SNP-05-2017
1/2017	The USDA	School Meal Flexibilities	Flexibility for the Target 2 Sodium Requirements for SY 17-18 (PDF)	SP15-2017

Calendar Year 2016

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
6/2016	The CDE	Fluid Milk	Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk	SNP-13-2016

Calendar Year 2015

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
9/2015	The CDE	Meal Service	Smoothies in the Child Nutrition Programs - Revised	CNP-11-2015
8/2015	The USDA	Questions and Answers	Questions & Answers on the Final Rule, Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (v.9)	SP10-2012
7/2015	The USDA	Child Nutrition Programs and Traditional Foods	Child Nutrition Programs and Traditional Foods	TA 01-2015
7/2015	The CDE	Product Documentation	Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements	CNP-07-2015
5/2015	The CDE	CN Labels	CN Labels Copied with a Watermark	CNP-08-2015

Calendar Year 2014

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
1/2014	The CDE	Meals	Variations in Meal Requirements for Religious Reasons: Jewish Schools, Institutions, and Sponsors	CNP-04-2014

Calendar Year 2013

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
8/2013	The CDE	Salad Bars	Salad Bar Alternatives After the Point of Service	USDA-SNP-19-2013
3/2013	The USDA	Final Rule	Nutrition Standards in the NSLP and the SBP - Final Rule	SP 31-2013

Calendar Year 2012

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
7/2012	The CDE	Meal Pattern Crediting	Formulated Grain Fruit Products	USDA-SNP-31-2012

Calendar Year 2011 and prior

Release Date	Issued by	Topic	Subject	Reference Number
2/2008	The CDE	Meal Pattern Crediting	Crediting of Corn Meal and Corn Flour	USDA-CNP-01-2008

To view all of the policy memos related to the School Nutrition Programs (SNP), visit the USDA School Meals web page .
To view all management bulletins related to SNP, visit the CDE School Nutrition Programs Management Bulletins web page.

Questions and Answers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released policy memoranda SP 10-2012 (version 9): Question and Answers on the Final Rule to provide guidance and clarification on the meal pattern.

Release Date	Issued by	Subject	Reference Number
August 2015	The USDA	SP 10-2012 (v.9): Questions & Answers on the Final Rule, Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs	SP10-2012 (V.9)

Contact

For questions regarding the meal pattern, contact the California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division (NSD) Meal Pattern team by email at HHFKA@cde.ca.gov. To join the NSD's mailing list, you can subscribe to the School Nutrition Program Mailing List.