USDA MEAL PATTERNS & REQUIREMENTS
Child Nutrition Outreach Program
The Child Nutrition Outreach Program (CNOP), funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides support and free resources to increase participation in federal child nutrition programs such as the National School Breakfast and Summer Food Service Programs.
http://meals4kids.org/national-school-breakfast-program
http://meals4kids.org/getmaterials
Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
FRAC conducts research and provides information on state and nation trends for needs and impacts of programs such as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Afterschool Nutrition Programs.
http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/national-school-lunch-program/
http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/school-breakfast-program/
http://frac.org/federal-foodnutrition-programs/afterschool-programs/
Healthy Meals Resource System
This is USDA's Team Nutrition online information center for Child Nutrition Programs. It includes resources for menu planning, training and nutrition education.
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/
http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/child-nutrition-programs
Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC)
This webpage explains the concept of HUSSC, and has a link to the application for the schools that want to enter into this competition.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/index.html
How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
This Food and Drug Administration webpage shows the Nutrition Facts Label and tells what each part means.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm http://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm274593.htm
USDA Child Nutrition Programs
This webpage contains important USDA information relating to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Afterschool Snack Program. It also links to policies and legislative references for these programs, and is updated regularly.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/child-nutrition-programs
USDA Foods Fact Sheets
This USDA Schools/CN Commodity Programs website provides fact sheets for Grains/Breads, Meats/Meat alternates, Vegetables, Fruits and other foods by material title. Like Nutrition Facts labels, these sheets list information for USDA foods, and can be useful for carbohydrate counting, and comparing sodium and fat content.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/schfacts/
USDA Recipes for Schools
Hosted by the National School Food Service Management Institute (NSFMI), this website offers several search options for USDA standardized recipes.
http://www.nfsmi.org/Templates/TemplateDivision.aspx?qs=cElEPTI3MA
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
This website contains the nutrient content of thousands of food items, and can be useful to compare calories, sodium, and fat levels of similar foods. It also can be used for carbohydrate counting.
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov
SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS
Food Allergy Research & Education
Formerly called the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, this organization’s website is an excellent source of news, information, programs, tools and other resources related to food allergies and anaphylaxis.
www.foodallergy.org
Food Allergy Tools for Schools
AllergyHome's website and its resources were created by two allergists who are dedicated to treating and educating others about allergic diseases. It features practical teaching tools for school nutrition personnel, nurses, parents and other members of the school community.
http://www.allergyhome.org/schools/
FoodSafety.gov - Allergens
This webpage is a portal to facts and resources relating to food allergies and intolerances.
http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/allergens/
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
This webpage contains resources for use in school nutrition programs. Current publications include manuals for managing diabetes and food allergies in schools, Farm to School and USDA guidance on accommodating special dietary needs. Links to websites for developing a school wellness policy and USDA research are also included.
http://www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/resources.html?section=ese
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
This website contains the nutrient content of thousands of food items, and can be useful to compare calories, sodium, and fat levels of similar foods. It also can be used for carbohydrate counting.
http://ndb.nal.usda.gov
ACCESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Child Nutrition Outreach Program
The Child Nutrition Outreach Program (CNOP), funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, provides support and free resources to increase participation in federal child nutrition programs such as the National School Breakfast and Summer Food Service Programs.
http://meals4kids.org/schoolmealapplications
ADDITIONAL USEFUL LINKS
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
US Department of Health & Human Service's webpage dedicated to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines including links to the actual document, background information and a variety of nutrition-and health-related resources.
http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010.asp
Choose My Plate
This USDA website provides nutrition and meal planning guidance for consumers and professionals in the field of education and health care. It includes downloadable materials in English and Spanish.
http://www.choosemyplate.gov
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/vegetables
The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition
The JSI's website is chock full of valuable information and downloadable documents pertaining to Food and Nutrition and School Nutrition Programs. The Resource Center page is a vast portal by topic to links from all major national and regional organizations.
http://www.johnstalkerinstitute.org
Let's Move
The Lets Move website was launched by Michelle Obama to tackle the problem of obesity in American children. Eat Healthy, Get Active and Take Action are steps Let’s Move want children to take.
http://www.letsmove.gov/
Massachusetts Food Equipment and Safety Training (FEAST)
This multifaceted online educational program is designed to help food service personnel achieve standards and competencies for sanitation and safe operation of 12 commonly used types of foodservice equipment. Videos and instructional tools are included.
http://www.mafoodsafetyeducation.info/fs_work/feast_video_language.html
Massachusetts Health and Human Services - Obesity
This webpage includes state and national statistics, tools, and related — and pertinent — links from Mass in Motion and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/community-health/mass-in-motion/school/