About School Meal Programs

ISNA is an organization of school nutrition professionals who feed Indiana's schoolchildren.  In addition to lunch, many Indiana schools offer breakfast, after school snack programs, milk programs, and more.USDA is the governing agency that sets the guidelines for all school nutrition programs.  In Indiana, the Department of Education is the agency who works directly with schools in implementing the USDA school nutrition programs.

USDA policy sets the nutrition standards by which school meals must meet in order for schools to receive Federal Reimbursement for meals served.  The term "reimbursable meal" is often used to identify a meal that meets all the guidelines set forth by the USDA.

In addition to nutrition standards, school nutrition departments must meet other requirements including, but not limited to:  Food safety, financial assistance for meals, commodity food procurement, purchasing rules, and more.

For more information, please click on one of the links below:

	Indiana Department of Education		USDA School Meals
Breakfast Requirments		Final Rule USDA Presentation:  New Meal Pattern Feb 2012
Lunch Requirements		Final Rule vs. Current Rule Comparison Chart
Choices and/or Offer vs. Serve		Implementing the Health Hunger Free Kids Act
Reimbursement Rate History
Food Distribution Program
Team Nutrition
Wellness Policy Resources
Special Dietary Needs for Children
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program