ALL PROGRAMS
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are released every five years by the USDA. The Guidelines provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.
The Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs assists contractors when estimating the quantity of food they need to purchase and prepare for their meal service and the specific contribution that each item makes toward meal pattern requirements.
How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label makes it easier to use nutrition labels to make quick, informed food choices that contribute to a healthy diet.
SCHOOLS (NSLP/SBP, SFSP, After School Programs)
HACCP Implementation Resources to assist schools in developing written practices and procedures to ensure safe food production.
- Guidance for School Food Authorities: Developing a Food Safety Program Based on the Process Approach to HACCP Principles (USDA, June 2005, PDF publication requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the document)
- HACCP-Based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)(NFSMI-USDA)
- Developing a Food Safety Program (NFSMI-USDA) self-instructional training resources (Template for Developing a Food Safety Program, participant workbook, PowerPoint® presentation, and streaming video).
MyPyramid for Kids Classroom Materials developed for elementary school educators (Grades 1-6) to promote healthy eating and physical activity choices. The companion interactive web site for children is located at MyPyramid for Kids.
The Power of Choice (POC), an afterschool program, guides pre-teens towards a healthier lifestyle by engaging them in skill-based activities that lead to smarter food and physical activity choices in real-life settings.
Quantity Recipes for Schools from the 1988 Quantity Recipes for School Food Service and the 1995 Tool Kit for Healthy School Meals
School Wellness Policy resources to help school districts develop local wellness policies.
Team Nutrition is an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. Team Nutrition has two sister sites
- The Healthy School Meals Resource System provides technical assistance support and materials for school foodservice professionals.
- The Child Care Nutrition Resource System provides the same support for child care professionals.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service Instruction 796-2, Revision 3, Financial Management – Child and Adult Care Food Program establishes program standards, principles and guidelines for financial management in the CACFP.
The Invitation for Bid and Contract for Purchased Meals is the standard document and contract organizations must use when procuring for purchased meals. Organizations may not use other documents or contracts for purchased meals without prior written approval from TDA.
The Child Care Nutrition Resource System is a USDA Team Nutrition hosted site that provides technical assistance support and materials for child care professionals.
Feeding Infants: A Guide for Use in the Child Nutrition Programs presents information on infant development and nutrition, breastfeeding and formula feeding, preventing tooth decay, sanitary food preparation and safe food handling and commercially prepared and home-prepared baby food.
Making Nutrition Count for Children - Nutrition Guidance for Child Care Homes provides information related to child growth and development, teaching children about food and healthy eating habits, and the Food Guide Pyramid. A set of activities for children is also provided.
Menu Magic for Children presents information related to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Meal Pattern requirements, reimbursable meals and snacks and suggestions for menu planning. Recipe cards are also provided.