Attachment K 7 CFR Part 220

Attachment K. 7 CFR Part 220

7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
School Breakfast Program

7 CFR Part 220

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 7 - Agriculture
Subtitle B - Regulations of the Department of Agriculture
Chapter II - Food and Nutrition Service, Department of Agriculture
Subchapter A - Child Nutrition Programs
Part 220 School Breakfast Program
§ 220.1 General purpose and scope.
§ 220.2 Definitions.
§ 220.3 Administration.
§ 220.4 Payment of funds to States and FNSROs.
§ 220.5 Method of payment to States.
§ 220.6 Use of funds.
§ 220.7 Requirements for participation.
§ 220.8 Meal requirements for breakfasts.
§ 220.9 Reimbursement payments.
§ 220.10 Effective date for reimbursement.
§ 220.11 Reimbursement procedures.
§ 220.12 Competitive food services.
§ 220.13 Special responsibilities of State agencies.
§ 220.14 Claims against school food authorities.
§ 220.15 Management evaluations and audits.
§ 220.16 Procurement standards.
§ 220.17 Prohibitions.
§ 220.18 Withholding payments.
§ 220.19 Suspension, termination and grant closeout procedures.
§ 220.20 Free and reduced price breakfasts.
§ 220.21 Program information.
§ 220.22 Information collection/recordkeeping - OMB assigned control numbers.
Appendix A to Part 220
Alternate Foods for Meals
Appendix B to Part 220 [Reserved]
Appendix C to Part 220
Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program

7 CFR Part 220 (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220

PART 220 - SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1773, 1779, unless otherwise noted.

§ 220.1 General purpose and scope.
This part announces the policies and prescribes the regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of section 4
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, which authorizes payments to the States to assist them to initiate,
maintain, or expand nonprofit breakfast programs in schools.
[Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34758, Aug. 17, 1976]

§ 220.2 Definitions.
For the purpose of this part the term:
2 CFR part 200, means the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards published by OMB. The part reference covers applicable: Acronyms and Definitions
(subpart A), General Provisions (subpart B), Post Federal Award Requirements (subpart D), Cost
Principles (subpart E), and Audit Requirements (subpart F). (NOTE: Pre-Federal Award Requirements and
Contents of Federal Awards (subpart C) does not apply to the National School Lunch Program).
Act

means the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended.

Applicable credits shall have the meaning established in 2 CFR part 200 and USDA implementing regulations 2
CFR part 400 and part 415.
Breakfast means a meal which meets the meal requirements set out in §§ 220.8 and 220.23, and which is
served to a child in the morning hours. The meal shall be served at or close to the beginning of the child's
day at school.
Child means:
(1) A student of high school grade or under as determined by the State educational agency, who is
enrolled in an educational unit of high school grade or under as described in paragraphs (1) and (2)
of the definition of “School”, including students who are mentally or physically disabled as defined by
the State and who are participating in a school program established for the mentally or physically
disabled; or
(2) A person under 21 chronological years of age who is enrolled in an institution or center as described
in paragraph (3) of the definition of School in this section.
CND means the Child Nutrition Division of the Food and Nutrition Service of the Department.
Contractor means a commercial enterprise, public or nonprofit private organization or individual that enters into
a contract with a school food authority.
Cost reimbursable contract means a contract that provides for payment of incurred costs to the extent
prescribed in the contract, with or without a fixed fee.
Department means the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
7 CFR 220.2 “Department” (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.2 “Distributing agency”

Distributing agency means a State, Federal, or private agency which enters into an agreement with the
Department for the distribution of commodities pursuant to part 250 of this chapter.
Fiscal year means the period of 15 calendar months beginning July 1, 1976, and ending September 30, 1977;
and the period of 12 calendar months beginning October 1, 1977, and each October 1 of any calendar year
thereafter and ending September 30 of the following calendar year.
Fixed fee means an agreed upon amount that is fixed at the inception of the contract. In a cost reimbursable
contract, the fixed fee includes the contractor's direct and indirect administrative costs and profit
allocable to the contract.
FNS means the Food and Nutrition Service of the Department.
FNSRO means the appropriate Food and Nutrition Service Regional Office of the Food and Nutrition Service of
the Department.
Free breakfast means a breakfast for which neither the child nor any member of his family pays or is required to
work in the school or in the school's food service.
Infant cereal means any iron fortified dry cereal especially formulated and generally recognized as cereal for
infants that is routinely mixed with breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula prior to consumption.
Infant formula means any iron-fortified infant formula intended for dietary use solely as a food for normal
healthy infants excluding those formulas specifically formulated for infants with inborn errors of
metabolism or digestive or absorptive problems. Infant formula, as served, must be in liquid state at
recommended dilution.
Local educational agency means a public board of education or other public or private nonprofit authority legally
constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function
for, public or private nonprofit elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school
district, or other political subdivision of a State, or for a combination of school districts or counties that is
recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public or private nonprofit elementary schools or
secondary schools. The term also includes any other public or private nonprofit institution or agency
having administrative control and direction of a public or private nonprofit elementary school or
secondary school, including residential child care institutions, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and
educational service agencies and consortia of those agencies, as well as the State educational agency in
a State or territory in which the State educational agency is the sole educational agency for all public or
private nonprofit schools.
Menu item means, under Nutrient Standard Menu Planning or Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, any
single food or combination of foods. All menu items or foods offered as part of the reimbursable meal
may be considered as contributing towards meeting the nutrition standards provided in § 220.23, except
for those foods that are considered as foods of minimal nutritional value as provided for in the definition
of Foods of minimal nutritional value in this section which are not offered as part of a menu item in a
reimbursable meal. For the purposes of a reimbursable breakfast, a minimum of three menu items must
be offered, one of which shall be fluid milk served as a beverage or on cereal or both; under offer versus
serve, a student may decline only one menu item.
National School Lunch Program means the Program authorized by the National School Lunch Act.

7 CFR 220.2 “National School Lunch Program” (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.2 “Net cash resources”

Net cash resources means all monies as determined in accordance with the State agency's established
accounting system, that are available to or have accrued to a School Food Authority's nonprofit school
food service at any given time, less cash payable. Such monies may include but are not limited to, cash on
hand, cash receivable, earnings or investments, cash on deposit and the value of stocks, bonds or other
negotiable securities.
Nonprofit means, when applied to schools or institutions eligible for the Program, exempt from income tax
under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Nonprofit school food service means all food service operations conducted by the School Food Authority
principally for the benefit of school children, all of the revenue from which is used solely for the operation
or improvement of such food service.
Nonprofit school food service account means the restricted account in which all of the revenue from all food
service operations conducted by the school food authority principally for the benefit of school children is
retained and used only for the operation or improvement of the nonprofit school food service.
Nonprofit when applied to schools or institutions eligible for the Program means exempt from income tax under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended; or in the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, certified by the Governor.
Nutrient Standard Menu Planning/Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning means ways to develop breakfast
menus based on the analysis for nutrients in the menu items and foods offered over a school week to
determine if specific levels for a set of key nutrients and calories were met in accordance with §
220.23(e)(5). However, for the purposes of Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, breakfast menu
planning and analysis are completed by other entities and must incorporate the production quantities
needed to accommodate the specific service requirements of a particular school or school food authority
in accordance with § 220.23(f).
OA

means the Office of Audit of the Department.

OI

means the Office of Investigation of the Department.
OIG means the Office of the Inspector General of the Department.

Program means the School Breakfast Program.
Reduced price breakfast means a breakfast which meets all of the following criteria:
(1) The price shall be less than the full price of the breakfast,
(2) the price shall be 30 cents or lower, and
(3) neither the child nor any member of his family shall be required to supply an equivalent value in work
for the school or the school's food service.
Reimbursement means financial assistance paid or payable to participating schools for breakfasts meeting the
requirements of § 220.8 served to eligible children at rates assigned by the State agency, or FNSRO where
applicable. The term “reimbursement” also includes financial assistance made available through
advances to School Food Authorities.
Revenue when applied to nonprofit school food service means all monies received by or accruing to the
nonprofit school food service in accordance with the State agency's established accounting system
including, but not limited to, children's payments, earnings on investments, other local revenues, State
revenues, and Federal cash reimbursements.
7 CFR 220.2 “Revenue” (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.2 “School”

School means:
(1) An educational unit of high school grade or under, recognized as part of the educational system in
the State and operating under public or nonprofit private ownership in a single building or complex of
buildings;
(2) any public or nonprofit private classes of preprimary grade when they are conducted in the
aforementioned schools; or
(3) any public or nonprofit private residential child care institution, or distinct part of such institution,
which operates principally for the care of children, and, if private, is licensed to provide residential
child care services under the appropriate licensing code by the State or a subordinate level of
government, except for residential summer camps which participate in the Summer Food Service
Program for Children, Job Corps centers funded by the Department of Labor, and private foster
homes. The term “residential child care institutions” includes, but is not limited to: Homes for the
mentally, emotionally or physically impaired, and unmarried mothers and their infants; group homes;
halfway houses; orphanages; temporary shelters for abused children and for runaway children; longterm care facilities for chronically ill children; and juvenile detention centers. A long-term care facility
is a hospital, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or distinct part thereof, which is
entended for the care of children confined for 30 days or more.
School Breakfast Program means the program authorized by section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
School in severe need means a school determined to be eligible for rates of reimbursement in excess of the
prescribed National Average Payment Factors, based upon the criteria set forth in § 220.9(d).
School Food Authority means the governing body which is responsible for the administration of one or more
schools and which has legal authority to operate a breakfast program therein.
School week means the period of time used to determine compliance with the meal requirements in § 220.8 and
§ 220.23. The period must be a normal school week of five consecutive days; however, to accommodate
shortened weeks resulting from holidays and other scheduling needs, the period must be a minimum of
three consecutive days and a maximum of seven consecutive days. Weeks in which school breakfasts are
offered less than three times must be combined with either the previous or the coming week.
Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
State means any of the 50 States, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, and, as applicable, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.
State agency means:
(1) The State educational agency or
(2) such other agency of the State as has been designated by the Governor or other appropriate
executive or legislative authority of the State and approved by the Department to administer the
Program in schools as described in paragraph (3) of the definition of School in this section.
State educational agency means, as the State legislature may determine:
(1) The chief State school officer (such as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Commissioner
of Education, or similar officer), or
(2) a board of education controlling the State department of education.
7 CFR 220.2 “State educational agency” (2) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.2 “Tofu”

Tofu means a soybean-derived food, made by a process in which soybeans are soaked, ground, mixed with
water, heated, filtered, coagulated, and formed into cakes. Basic ingredients are whole soybeans, one or
more food-grade coagulants (typically a salt or an acid), and water. Tofu products must conform to FNS
guidance to count toward the meats/meat alternates component.
USDA implementing regulations include the following: 2 CFR part 400, Uniform Administrative Requirements,
Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; 2 CFR part 415, General Program
Administrative Regulations; 2 CFR part 416, General Program Administrative Regulations for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments; and 2 CFR part 418, New Restrictions on
Lobbying.
Whole grains means grains that consist of the intact, ground, cracked, or flaked grain seed whose principal
anatomical components - the starchy endosperm, germ and bran - are present in the same relative
proportions as they exist in the intact grain seed. Whole grain-rich products must conform to FNS
guidance to count toward the grains component.
Yogurt means commercially prepared coagulated milk products obtained by the fermentation of specific
bacteria, that meet milk fat or milk solid requirements and to which flavoring foods or ingredients may be
added. These products are covered by the Food and Drug Administration's Definition and Standard of
Identity for yogurt, lowfat yogurt, and nonfat yogurt, 21 CFR 131.200, 21 CFR 131.203, and 21 CFR
131.206, respectively.
(Sec. 6, Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3620 (42 U.S.C. 1760); sec. 205, Pub. L. 96-499, The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of
1980, 94 Stat. 2599; secs. 801, 803, 812; Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1759(a), 1773, 1758; secs.
807 and 808, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535, 42 U.S.C. 1772, 1784, 1760; sec. 819, Pub. L. 97-35; 95 Stat. 533 (42
U.S.C. 1759a, 1773 and 1757))
[Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34758, Aug. 17, 1976]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 220.2, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 220.3 Administration.
(a) Within the Department, FNS shall act on behalf of the Department in the administration of the Program
covered by this part. Within FNS, CND shall be responsible for administration of the Program.
(b) Within the States, responsibility for the administration of the Program in schools as described in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of the definition of School in § 220.2 shall be in the State educational agency,
except that FNSRO shall administer the Program with respect to nonprofit private schools and adding in
their place the words “as described in paragraph (1) of the definition of School in § 220.2 in any State
wherein the State educational agency is not permitted by law to disburse Federal funds paid to it under
the Program; Provided, however, That FNSRO shall also administer the Program in all other nonprofit
private schools which have been under continuous FNS administration since October 1, 1980, unless the
administration of such private schools is assumed by a State agency.
(c) Within the States, responsibility for the administration of the Program in schools, as described in
paragraph (3) of the definition of School in § 220.2, shall be in the State educational agency, or if the State
educational agency cannot administer the Program in such schools, such other agency of the State as
has been designated by the Governor or other appropriate executive or legislative authority of the State
7 CFR 220.3(c) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.3(d)

and approved by the Department to administer the Program in such schools: Provided, however, That
FNSRO shall administer the Program in such schools if the State agency is not permitted by law to
disburse Federal funds paid to it under the Program to such schools; and Provided, further, That FNSRO
shall also administer the Program in all other such schools which have been under continuous FNS
administration since October 1, 1980, unless the administration of such schools is assumed by a State
agency.
(d) References in this part to “FNSRO where applicable” are to FNSRO as the agency administering the
Program.
(e) Each State agency desiring to take part in any of the programs shall enter into a written agreement with
the Department for the administration of the Program in the State in accordance with the provisions of
this part, 7 CFR parts 235, 245, 15, 15a, 15b and, as applicable, 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and USDA
implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 subparts B and D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR
part 400 and part 415 and FNS Instructions. Such agreement shall cover the operation of the Program
during the period specified therein and may be extended at the option of the Department.
(f) Authority to waive statute and regulations.
(1) As authorized under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, FNS may
waive provisions of such Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended, and the provisions of
this part with respect to a State agency or eligible service provider. The provisions of this part
required by other statutes may not be waived under this authority. FNS may only approve requests
for a waiver that are submitted by a State agency and comply with the requirements at section
12(l)(1) and the limitations at section 12(l)(4), including that FNS may not grant a waiver that
increases Federal costs.
(2)
(i)

A State agency may submit a request for a waiver under paragraph (f)(1) of this section in
accordance with section 12(l)(2) and the provisions of this part.

(ii) A State agency may submit a request to waive specific statutory or regulatory requirements on
behalf of eligible service providers that operate in the State. Any waiver where the State
concurs must be submitted to the appropriate FNSRO.
(3)
(i)

An eligible service provider may submit a request for a waiver under paragraph (e)(1) of this
section in accordance with section 12(l) and the provisions of this part. Any waiver request
submitted by an eligible service provider must be submitted to the State agency for review. A
State agency must act promptly on such a waiver request and must deny or concur with a
request submitted by an eligible service provider.

(ii) If a State agency concurs with a request from an eligible service provider, the State agency
must promptly forward to the appropriate FNSRO the request and a rationale, consistent with
section 12(l)(2), supporting the request. By forwarding the request to the FNSRO, the State
agency affirms:
(A) The request meets all requirements for waiver submissions; and,
(B) The State agency will conduct all monitoring requirements related to regular Program
operations and the implementation of the waiver.
7 CFR 220.3(f)(3)(ii)(B) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.3(f)(3)(iii)

(iii) If the State agency denies the request, the State agency must notify the requesting eligible
service provider and state the reason for denying the request in writing within 30 calendar days
of the State agency's receipt of the request. The State agency response is final and may not be
appealed to FNS.
(Sec. 804, 816 and 817, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1756, 1759, 1771 and 1785); 44 U.S.C.
3506)
[Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34759, Aug. 17, 1976, as amended at 47 FR 745, Jan. 7, 1982; Amdt. 42, 47 FR 14133, Apr. 2, 1982; Amdt. 56, 54
FR 2990, Jan. 23, 1989; 71 FR 39517, July 13, 2006; 72 FR 63792, Nov. 13, 2007; 81 FR 66491, Sept. 28, 2016; 87 FR 57354, Sept.
19, 2022]

§ 220.4 Payment of funds to States and FNSROs.
(a) To the extent funds are available, the Secretary shall make breakfast assistance payments to each State
agency for breakfasts served to children under the Program. Subject to § 220.13(b)(2), the total of these
payments for each State for any fiscal year shall be limited to the total amount of reimbursement payable
to eligible schools within the State under this part for the fiscal year.
(b) The Secretary shall prescribe by July 1 of each fiscal year annual adjustments to the nearest one-fourth
cent in the national average per breakfast factors for all breakfasts and for free and reduced price
breakfasts, that shall reflect changes in the cost of operating a breakfast program.
(c) In addition to the funds made available under paragraph (a) of this section, funds shall be made available
to the State agencies, and FNSROs where applicable, in such amounts as are needed to finance
reimbursement rates assigned in accordance with the provisions of § 220.9(c).
(Secs. 801, 803, 812; Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1759(a), 1773, 1758); Pub. L. 97-370, 96 Stat.
1806)
[38 FR 35554, Dec. 28, 1973, as amended at 40 FR 30923, July 24, 1975; 46 FR 51367, Oct. 20, 1981; 48 FR 20896, May 10, 1983;
Amdt. 49, 49 FR 18987, May 4, 1984]

§ 220.5 Method of payment to States.
Funds to be paid to any State for the School Breakfast Program shall be made available by means of Letters of
Credit issued by FNS in favor of the State agency. The State agency shall:
(a) Obtain funds needed for reimbursement to School Food Authorities through presentation by designated
State officials of a payment Voucher on Letter of Credit in accordance with procedures prescribed by FNS
and approved by the U.S. Treasury Department;
(b) submit requests for funds only at such times and in such amounts, as will permit prompt payment of
claims or authorized advances; and
(c) use the funds received from such requests without delay for the purpose for which drawn.
[Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34759, Aug. 17, 1976]

7 CFR 220.5(c) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.6

§ 220.6 Use of funds.
(a) Federal funds made available under the School Breakfast Program shall be used by State agencies, or
FNSROs where applicable, to reimburse or make advance payments to School Food Authorities in
connection with breakfasts served in accordance with the provisions of this part. However, with the
approval of FNS, any State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, may reserve for use in carrying out special
developmental projects an amount up to 1 per centum of the funds earned in any fiscal year under the
School Breakfast Program. Advance payments to School Food Authorities may be made at such times
and in such amounts as are necessary to meet current obligations.
(b) Whoever embezzles, willfully misapplies, steals, or obtains by fraud any funds, assets, or property
provided under this part, whether received directly or indirectly from the Department, shall (1) If such funds, assets, or property are of a value of $100 or more, be fined not more than $25,000 or
imprisoned not more than 5 years or both; or
(2) If such funds, assets, or property are of a value of less than $100, be fined not more than $1,000 or
imprisoned not more than one year or both.
(c) Whoever receives, conceals, or retains to his use or gain funds, assets, or property provided under this
part, whether received directly or indirectly from the Department, knowing such funds, assets, or property
have been embezzled, willfully misapplied, stolen, or obtained by fraud, shall be subject to the same
penalties provided in paragraph (b) of this section.
(Sec. 10(a), Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3623 (42 U.S.C. 1760); sec. 10(d)(3), Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3624 (42 U.S.C.
1757); sec. 14, Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3625-3626)
[40 FR 30923, July 24, 1975, as amended by Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34759, Aug. 17, 1976; Amdt. 28, 44 FR 37899, June 29, 1979; 64 FR
50742, Sept. 20, 1999]

§ 220.7 Requirements for participation.
(a) The School Food Authority shall make written application to the State agency, or FNSRO where applicable,
for any school in which it desires to operate the School Breakfast Program, if such school did not
participate in the Program in the prior fiscal year. The School Food Authority shall also submit for
approval, either with the application or at the request of the State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, a
free and reduced price policy statement in accordance with part 245 of this chapter. A School Food
Authority which simultaneously makes application for the National School Lunch Program and the School
Breakfast Program shall submit one free and reduced price policy statement which shall provide that the
terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria set forth in such policy statement shall apply to the service of free
and reduced price lunches and to the service of free and reduced price breakfasts. If, at the time
application is made for the School Breakfast Program, a School Food Authority has an approved free and
reduced price policy statement on file with the State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, for the National
School Lunch Program, it need only confirm in writing that such approved policy statement will also apply
to the operation of its School Breakfast Program. Applications for the School Breakfast Program shall not
be approved in the absence of an approved free and reduced price policy statement.

7 CFR 220.7(a) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.7(a)(1)

(1) A school which also either participates in the National School Lunch Program or only receives
donations of commodities for its nonprofit lunch program under the provisions of part 250 of this
chapter (commodity only school) shall apply the same set of eligibility criteria so that children who
are eligible for free lunches shall also be eligible for free breakfasts and children who are eligible for
reduced price lunches shall also be eligible for reduced price breakfasts.
(2) Schools shall obtain a minimum of two food safety inspections per school year conducted by a State
or local governmental agency responsible for food safety inspections. Schools participating in more
than one child nutrition program shall only be required to obtain a minimum of two food safety
inspections per school year if the food preparation and service for all meal programs take place at
the same facility. Schools shall post in a publicly visible location a report of the most recent
inspection conducted, and provide a copy of the inspection report to a member of the public upon
request.
(3) The school food authority must implement a food safety program meeting the requirements of §§
210.13(c) and 210.15(b)(5) of this chapter at each facility or part of a facility where food is stored,
prepared, or served.
(b) Applications shall solicit information in sufficient detail to enable the State agency to determine whether
the School Food Authority is eligible to participate in the Program and extent of the need for Program
payments.
(c) Within the funds available to them, State agencies, or FNSRO's where applicable, shall approve for
participation in the School Breakfast Program any school making application and agreeing to carry out
the program in accordance with this part. State agencies, or FNSRO's where applicable, have a positive
obligation, however, to extend the benefits of the School Breakfast Program to children attending schools
in areas where poor economic conditions exist.
(d)
(1) Any school food authority (including a State agency acting in the capacity of a school food authority)
may contract with a food service management company to manage its food service operation in one
or more of its schools. However, no school or school food authority may contract with a food service
management company to operate an a la carte food service unless the company agrees to offer free,
reduced price and paid reimbursable breakfasts to all eligible children. Any school food authority
that employs a food service management company in the operation of its nonprofit school food
service shall:
(i)

Adhere to the procurement standards specified in § 220.16 when contracting with the food
service management company;

(ii) Ensure that the food service operation is in conformance with the school food authority's
agreement under the Program;
(iii) Monitor the food service operation through periodic on-site visits;
(iv) Retain control of the quality, extent, and general nature of its food service, and the prices to be
charged the children for meals;
(v) Retain signature authority on the State agency-school food authority agreement, free and
reduced price policy statement and claims;

7 CFR 220.7(d)(1)(v) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.7(d)(1)(vi)

(vi) Ensure that all federally donated foods received by the school food authority and made
available to the food service management company accrue only to the benefit of the school
food authority's nonprofit school food service and are fully utilized therein;
(vii) Maintain applicable health certification and assure that all State and local regulations are being
met by a food service management company preparing or serving meals at a school food
authority facility;
(viii) Obtain written approval of invitations for bids and requests for proposals before their issuance
when required by the State agency. The school food authority must incorporate all State agency
required changes to its solicitation documents before issuing those documents; and
(ix) Ensure that the State agency has reviewed and approved the contract terms and the school
food authority has incorporated all State agency required changes into the contract or
amendment before any contract or amendment to an existing food service management
company contract is executed. Any changes made by the school food authority or a food
service management company to a State agency pre-approved prototype contract or State
agency approved contract term must be approved in writing by the State agency before the
contract is executed. When requested, the school food authority must submit all procurement
documents, including responses submitted by potential contractors, to the State agency, by the
due date established by the State agency.
(2) In addition to adhering to the procurement standards under this part, school food authorities
contracting with food service management companies shall ensure that:
(i)

The invitation to bid or request for proposal contains a 21-day cycle menu developed in
accordance with the provisions of § 220.8, to be used as a standard for the purpose of basing
bids or estimating average cost per meal. A school food authority with no capability to prepare
a cycle menu may, with State agency approval, require that each food service management
company include a 21-day cycle menu, developed in accordance with the provisions of § 220.8,
with its bid or proposal. The food service management company must adhere to the cycle for
the first 21 days of meal service. Changes thereafter may be made with the approval of the
school food authority; and

(ii) Any invitation to bid or request for proposal indicate that nonperformance subjects the food
service management company to specified sanctions in instances where the food service
management company violates or breaches contract terms. The school food authority shall
indicate these sanctions in accordance with the procurement provisions stated in § 220.16.
(3) Contracts that permit all income and expenses to accrue to the food service management company
and “cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost” and “cost-plus-a-percentage-of-income” contracts are
prohibited. Contracts that provide for fixed fees such as those that provide for management fees
established on a per meal basis are allowed. Contractual agreements with food service management
companies shall include provisions which ensure that the requirements of this section are met. Such
agreements shall also include the following requirements:
(i)

The food service management company shall maintain such records as the school food
authority will need to support its Claim for Reimbursement under this part, and shall, at a
minimum, report claim information to the school food authority promptly at the end of each
month. Such records shall be made available to the school food authority, upon request, and
shall be available for a period of 3 years from the date of the submission of the final Financial
Status Report, for inspection and audit by representatives of the State agency, of the

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.7(d)(3)(ii)

Department, and of the Government Accountability Office at any reasonable time and place. If
audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the three-year
period (as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit);
(ii) The food service management company shall have State or local health certification for any
facility outside the school in which it proposes to prepare meals and the food service
management company shall maintain this health certification for the duration of the contract;
and
(iii) No payment is to be made for meals that are spoiled or unwholesome at time of delivery, do not
meet detailed specifications as developed by the school food authority for each food
component specified in § 220.8, or do not otherwise meet the requirements of the contract.
Specifications shall cover items such a grade, purchase units, style, condition, weight,
ingredients, formulations, and delivery time.
(4) The contract between a school food authority and food service management company shall be of a
duration of no longer than 1 year and options for the yearly renewal of the contract shall not exceed
4 additional years. All contracts shall include a termination clause whereby either party may cancel
for cause with 60-day notification.
(e) Each school food authority approved to participate in the program shall enter into a written agreement
with the State agency or the Department through the FNSRO, as applicable, that may be amended as
necessary. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the ability of the State agency or
the FNSRO to suspend or terminate the agreement in accordance with § 220.18. If a single State agency
administers any combination of the Child Nutrition Programs, that State agency shall provide each SFA
with a single agreement with respect to the operation of those programs. Such agreements shall provide
that the School Food Authority shall, with respect to participating schools under its jurisdiction:
(1)
(i)

Maintain a nonprofit school food service;

(ii) In accordance with the financial management system established under § 220.13(i) of this part,
use all revenues received by such food service only for the operation or improvement of that
food service Except that, facilities, equipment, and personnel support with funds provided to a
school food authority under this part may be used to support a nonprofit nutrition program for
the elderly, including a program funded under the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001
et seq.);
(iii) Revenues received by the nonprofit school food service shall not be used to purchase land or
buildings or to contruct buildings;
(iv) Limit its net cash resources to an amount that does not exceed three months average
expenditure for its nonprofit school food service or such other amount as may be approved by
the State agency; and
(v) Observe the limitations on any competitive food service as set forth in § 220.12 of this part;
(2) Serve breakfasts which meet the minimum requirements prescribed in § 220.8, during a period
designated as the breakfast period by the school;
(3) Price the breakfast as a unit;

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.7(e)(4)

(4) Supply breakfast without cost or at reduced price to all children who are determined by the School
Food Authority to be unable to pay the full price thereof in accordance with the free and reduced
price policy statements approved under part 245 of this chapter;
(5) Make no discrimination against any child because of his inability to pay the full price of the
breakfasts;
(6) Claim reimbursement at the assigned rates only for breakfasts served in accordance with the
agreement;
(7) Submit Claims for Reimbursement in accordance with § 220.11 of this part and procedures
established by the State agency, or FNSRO where applicable;
(8) Maintain, in the storage, preparation and service of food, proper sanitation and health standards in
conformance with all applicable State and local laws and regulations, and comply with the food
safety requirements in paragraph (a)(2) and paragraph (a)(3) of this section;
(9) Purchase, in as large quantities as may be efficiently utilized in its nonprofit school food service,
foods designated as plentiful by the State Agency, or CFPDO, where applicable;
(10) Accept and use, in as large quantities as may be efficiently utilized in its nonprofit school food
service, such foods as may be offered as a donation by the Department;
(11) Maintain necessary facilities for storing, preparing, and serving food;
(12) Maintain a financial management system as prescribed by the State agency, or FNSRO where
applicable;
(13) Upon request, make all accounts and records pertaining to its nonprofit school food service available
to the State agency, to FNS and to OA for audit or review at a reasonable time and place. Such
records shall be retained for a period of three years after the end of the fiscal year to which they
pertain, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the
three-year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit;
(14) Retain documentation of free or reduced price eligibility as follows:
(i)

Maintain files of currently approved and denied free and reduced price applications which must
be readily retrievable by school for a period of three years after the end of the fiscal year to
which they pertain; or

(ii) Maintain files with the names of children currently approved for free meals through direct
certification with the supporting documentation, as specified in § 245.6(b)(4) of this chapter,
which must be readily retrievable by school. Documentation for direct certification must include
information obtained directly from the appropriate State or local agency, or other appropriate
individual, as specified by FNS, that:
(A) A child in the Family, as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter, is receiving benefits from SNAP,
FDPIR or TANF, as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter; if one child is receiving such benefits,
all children in that family are considered to be directly certified;
(B) The child is a homeless child as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter;
(C) The child is a runaway child as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter;
(D) The child is a migrant child as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter;
7 CFR 220.7(e)(14)(ii)(D) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.7(e)(14)(ii)(E)

(E) The child is a Head Start child, as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter; or
(F) The child is a foster child as defined in § 245.2 of this chapter.
(15) Comply with the requirements of the Department's regulations respecting nondiscrimination (7 CFR
part 15).
(f) Nothing contained in this part shall prevent the State Agency from imposing additional requirements for
participation in the program which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this part.
(g) Program evaluations. Local educational agencies, school food authorities, schools, and contractors must
cooperate in studies and evaluations conducted by or on behalf of the Department, related to programs
authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
(h) Local educational agencies must comply with the provisions of § 210.30 of this chapter regarding the
development, implementation, periodic review and update, and public notification of the local school
wellness policy.
(44 U.S.C. 3506; sec. 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 533 (42 U.S.C. 1759a, 1773 and 1757); Pub. L. 79-396, 60 Stat. 231
(42 U.S.C. 1751); Pub. L. 89-647, 80 Stat. 885-890 (42 U.S.C. 1773); Pub. L. 91-248, 84 Stat. 207 (42 U.S.C. 1759))
[32 FR 34, Jan. 5, 1967]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 220.7, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 220.8 Meal requirements for breakfasts.
(a) General requirements. This section contains the meal requirements applicable to school breakfasts for
students in grades K through 12, and for children under the age of 5. In general, school food authorities
must ensure that participating schools provide nutritious, well-balanced, and age-appropriate breakfasts
to all the children they serve to improve their diet and safeguard their health.
(1) General nutrition requirements. School breakfasts offered to children age 5 and older must meet, at a
minimum, the meal requirements in paragraph (b) of this section. Schools must follow a food-based
menu planning approach and produce enough food to offer each child the quantities specified in the
meal pattern established in paragraph (c) of this section for each age/grade group served in the
school. In addition, school breakfasts must meet the dietary specifications in paragraph (f) of this
section. Schools offering breakfasts to children ages 1 to 4 and infants must meet the meal pattern
requirements in paragraphs (o) and (p), as applicable, of this section. When breakfast is served in the
cafeteria, schools must make potable water available and accessible without restriction to children
at no charge.
(2) Unit pricing. Schools must price each meal as a unit. The price of a reimbursable lunch does not
change if the student does not take a food item or requests smaller portions. Schools must identify,
near or at the beginning of the serving line(s), the food items that constitute the unit-priced
reimbursable school meal(s).
(3) Production and menu records. Schools or school food authorities, as applicable, must keep
production and menu records for the meals they produce. These records must show how the meals
offered contribute to the required food components and food quantities for each age/grade group
every day. Labels or manufacturer specifications for food products and ingredients used to prepare
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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.8(b)

school meals for students in grades K through 12 must indicate zero grams of trans fat per serving
(less than 0.5 grams). Schools or school food authorities must maintain records of the latest
nutritional analysis of the school menus conducted by the State agency. Production and menu
records must be maintained in accordance with FNS guidance.
(b) Meal requirements for school breakfasts. School breakfasts for children ages 5 and older must reflect
food and nutrition requirements specified by the Secretary. Compliance with these requirements is
measured as follows:
(1) On a daily basis:
(i)

Meals offered to each age/grade group must include the food components and food quantities
specified in the meal pattern in paragraph (c) of this section;

(ii) Food products or ingredients used to prepare meals must contain zero grams of trans fat per
serving or a minimal amount of naturally occurring trans fat as specified in paragraph (f) of this
section; and
(iii) Meal selected by each student must have the number of food components required for a
reimbursable meal and include at least one fruit or vegetable.
(2) Over a 5-day school week:
(i)

Average calorie content of the meals offered to each age/grade group must be within the
minimum and maximum calorie levels specified in paragraph (f) of this section;

(ii) Average saturated fat content of the meals offered to each age/grade group must be less than
10 percent of total calories as specified in paragraph (f) of this section;
(iii) Average sodium content of the meals offered to each age/grade group must not exceed the
maximum level specified in paragraph (f) of this section;
(c) Meal pattern for school breakfasts for grades K through 12. A school must offer the food components and
quantities required in the breakfast meal pattern established in the following table:

Table 1 to Paragraph (c) Introductory Text - Breakfast Meal Pattern
Breakfast meal pattern
Grades K-5

Grades 6-8

Food Components

Amount of

Fooda

Grades 9-12

per Week

(minimum per day)
Fruits

(cups)bc

5 (1)

5 (1)

5 (1)

0

0

0

Dark green

0

0

0

Red/Orange

0

0

0

Beans and peas
(legumes)

0

0

0

Starchy

0

0

0

Other

0

0

0

7-10 (1)

8-10 (1)

9-10 (1)

Vegetables

Grains (oz

(cups)bc

eq)d

7 CFR 220.8(c) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.8(c)(1)

Breakfast meal pattern
Grades K-5

Grades 6-8

Meats/Meat Alternates (oz
eq)e
Fluid milk (cups)f

Grades 9-12

0

0

0

5 (1)

5 (1)

5 (1)

Other Specifications: Daily Amount Based on the Average for a 5-Day Week
Min-max calories (kcal)gh

350-500

400-550

450-600

Saturated fat (% of total
calories)h

<10

<10

<10

Sodium Target 1 (mg)h

≤540

≤600

≤640

Trans

fath

Nutrition label or manufacturer specifications must indicate zero grams of
trans fat per serving.

a

Food items included in each group and subgroup and amount equivalents. Minimum creditable
serving is 1⁄8 cup.
b

One-quarter cup of dried fruit counts as 1⁄2 cup of fruit; 1 cup of leafy greens counts as 1⁄2 cup of
vegetables. No more than half of the fruit or vegetable offerings may be in the form of juice. All
juice must be 100% full-strength.
c

Schools must offer 1 cup of fruit daily and 5 cups of fruit weekly. Vegetables may be substituted
for fruits, but the first two cups per week of any such substitution must be from the dark green, red/
orange, beans/peas (legumes), or “Other vegetables” subgroups, as defined in § 210.10(c)(2)(iii) of
this chapter.
d

At least 80 percent of grains offered weekly must meet the whole grain-rich criteria specified in
FNS guidance, and the remaining grain items offered must be enriched. Schools may substitute 1
oz. eq. of meat/meat alternate for 1 oz. eq. of grains after the minimum daily grains requirement is
met.
e

There is no meat/meat alternate requirement.

f

All fluid milk must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent fat or less). Milk may be unflavored or
flavored, provided that unflavored milk is offered at each meal service.
g

The average daily calories for a 5-day school week must be within the range (at least the
minimum and no more than the maximum values).
h

Discretionary sources of calories (solid fats and added sugars) may be added to the meal pattern
if within the specifications for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium. Foods of minimal
nutritional value and fluid milk with fat content greater than 1 percent milk fat are not allowed.
(1) Age/grade groups. Schools must plan menus for students using the following age/grade groups:
Grades K-5 (ages 5-10), grades 6-8 (ages 11-13), and grades 9-12 (ages 14-18). If an unusual grade
configuration in a school prevents the use of the established age/grade groups, students in grades
7 CFR 220.8(c)(1) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.8(c)(2)

K-5 and grades 6-8 may be offered the same food quantities at breakfast provided that the calorie
and sodium standards for each age/grade group are met. No customization of the established age/
grade groups is allowed.
(2) Food components. Schools must offer students in each age/grade group the food components
specified in meal pattern in paragraph (c). Food component descriptions in § 210.10 of this chapter
apply to this Program.
(i)

Meats/meat alternates component. Schools are not required to offer meats/meat alternates as
part of the breakfast menu. Schools may substitute meats/meat alternates for grains, after the
daily grains requirement is met, to meet the weekly grains requirement. One ounce equivalent of
meat/meat alternate is equivalent to one ounce equivalent of grains.
(A) Enriched macaroni. Enriched macaroni with fortified protein as defined in appendix A to
part 210 may be used to meet part of the meats/meat alternates requirement when used
as specified in appendix A to part 210. An enriched macaroni product with fortified protein
as defined in appendix A to part 210 may be used to meet part of the meats/meat
alternates component or the grains component but may not meet both food components
in the same lunch.
(B) Nuts and seeds. Nuts and seeds and their butters are allowed as meat alternates in
accordance with program guidance. Acorns, chestnuts, and coconuts may not be used
because of their low protein and iron content. Nut and seed meals or flours may be used
only if they meet the requirements for Alternate Protein Products established in appendix
A to part 220. Nuts or seeds may be used to meet no more than one-half (50 percent) of
the meats/meat alternates component with another meats/meat alternates to meet the
full requirement.
(C) Yogurt. Yogurt may be used to meet all or part of the meats/meat alternates component.
Yogurt may be plain or flavored, unsweetened or sweetened. Noncommercial and/or nonstandardized yogurt products, such as frozen yogurt, drinkable yogurt products,
homemade yogurt, yogurt flavored products, yogurt bars, yogurt covered fruits and/or nuts
or similar products are not creditable. Four ounces (weight) or 1⁄2 cup (volume) of yogurt
equals one ounce of the meats/meat alternates requirement.
(D) Tofu and soy products. Commercial tofu and soy products may be used to meet all or part
of the meats/meat alternates component in accordance with FNS guidance.
Noncommercial and/or non-standardized tofu and products are not creditable.
(E) Beans and peas (legumes). Cooked dry beans and peas (legumes) may be used to meet all
or part of the meats/meat alternates component. Beans and peas (legumes) are identified
in this section and include foods such as black beans, garbanzo beans, lentils, kidney
beans, mature lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and split peas.
(F) Other meat alternates. Other meat alternates, such as cheese and eggs, may be used to
meet all or part of the meats/meat alternates component in accordance with FNS
guidance.

(ii) Fruits component. Schools must offer daily the fruit quantities specified in the breakfast meal
pattern in paragraph (c) of this section. Fruits that are fresh; frozen without added sugar;
canned in light syrup, water or fruit juice; or dried may be offered to meet the fruits component
requirements. Vegetables may be offered in place of all or part of the required fruits at
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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
School Breakfast Program

7 CFR 220.8(c)(2)(iii)

breakfast, but the first two cups per week of any such substitution must be from the dark green,
red/orange, beans and peas (legumes) or other vegetable subgroups, as defined in this section.
All fruits are credited based on their volume as served, except that 1⁄4 cup of dried fruit counts
as 1⁄2 cup of fruit. Only pasteurized, full-strength fruit juice may be used, and may be credited to
meet no more than one-half of the fruit component.
(iii) Vegetables component. Schools are not required to offer vegetables as part of the breakfast
menu but may offer vegetables to meet part or all of the fruit requirement. Fresh, frozen, or
canned vegetables and dry beans and peas (legumes) may be offered to meet the fruit
requirement. All vegetables are credited based on their volume as served, except that 1 cup of
leafy greens counts as 1⁄2 cup of vegetables and tomato paste and tomato puree are credited
based on calculated volume of the whole food equivalency. Pasteurized, full-strength vegetable
juice may be used to meet no more than one-half of the vegetable component. Cooked dry
beans or peas (legumes) may be counted as either a vegetable or as a meat alternate but not
as both in the same meal.
(iv) Grains component.
(A) Enriched and whole grains. All grains must be made with enriched and whole grain meal or
flour, in accordance with the most recent FNS guidance on grains. The whole grain-rich
criteria included in FNS guidance may be updated to reflect additional information
provided by industry on the food label or a whole grains definition by the Food and Drug
Administration. Whole grain-rich products must contain at least 50 percent whole grains
and the remaining grains in the product must be enriched. Schools may substitute meats/
meat alternates for grains, after the daily grains requirement is met, to meet the weekly
grains requirement. One ounce equivalent of meat/meat alternate is equivalent to one
ounce equivalent of grains.
(B) Daily and weekly servings. The grains component is based on minimum daily servings plus
total servings over a 5-day school week. Schools serving breakfast 6 or 7 days per week
must increase the weekly grains quantity by approximately 20 percent (1⁄5) for each
additional day. When schools operate less than 5 days per week, they may decrease the
weekly quantity by approximately 20 percent (1⁄5) for each day less than 5. The servings
for biscuits, rolls, muffins, and other grain/bread varieties are specified in FNS guidance.
At least 80 percent of grains offered weekly must meet the whole grain-rich criteria
specified in FNS guidance, and the remaining grain items offered must be enriched.
(3) Food components in outlying areas. Schools in American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
may serve a vegetable such as yams, plantains, or sweet potatoes to meet the grains component.
(d) Fluid milk requirement. Breakfast must include a serving of fluid milk as a beverage or on cereal or used in
part for each purpose. Schools must offer students a variety (at least two different options) of fluid milk.
All fluid milk must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent fat or less). Milk with higher fat content is not
allowed. Low-fat or fat-free lactose-free and reduced-lactose fluid milk may also be offered. Milk may be
flavored or unflavored, provided that unflavored milk is offered at each meal service. Schools must also
comply with other applicable fluid milk requirements in § 210.10(d) of this chapter.
(e) Offer versus serve for grades K through 12. School breakfast must offer daily at least the three food
components required in the meal pattern in paragraph (c) of this section. To exercise the offer versus
serve option at breakfast, a school food authority or school must offer a minimum of four food items daily
as part of the required components. Under offer versus serve, students are allowed to decline one of the
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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
School Breakfast Program

7 CFR 220.8(f)

four food items, provided that students select at least 1⁄2 cup of the fruit component for a reimbursable
meal. If only three food items are offered at breakfast, school food authorities or schools may not
exercise the offer versus serve option.
(f) Dietary specifications.
(1) Calories. Schools breakfasts offered to each age/grade group must meet, on average over the school
week, the minimum and maximum calorie levels specified in the following table:

Calorie Ranges for Breakfast - Effective SY 2013-2014

Minimum-maximum calories (kcal)
a

ab

Grades K-5

Grades 6-8

Grades 9-12

350-500

400-550

450-600

The average daily amount for a 5-day school must fall within the minimum and maximum levels.

b

Discretionary sources of calories (solid fats and added sugars) may be added to the meal pattern
if within the specifications for calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium.
(2) Saturated fat. Schools breakfasts offered to all age/grade groups must, on average over the school
week, provide less than 10 percent of total calories from saturated fat.
(3) Sodium. School breakfasts offered to each age/grade group must meet, on average over the school
week, the levels of sodium specified in the following table:

Table 3 to Paragraph (f)(3) - School Breakfast Program Sodium Limits
Age/grade group

Target 1
(mg)

K-5

≤540

6-8

≤600

9-12

≤640

(4) Trans fat. Food products and ingredients used to prepare school meals must contain zero grams of
trans fat (less than 0.5 grams) per serving. Schools must add the trans fat specification and request
the required documentation (nutrition label or manufacturer specifications) in their procurement
contracts. Documentation for food products and food ingredients must indicate zero grams of trans
fat per serving. Meats that contain a minimal amount of naturally-occurring trans fats are allowed in
the school meal programs.
(g) Compliance assistance. The State agency and school food authority must provide technical assistance
and training to assist schools in planning breakfasts that meet the meal pattern in paragraph (c) of this
section, the dietary specifications for calorie, saturated fat, sodium, and trans fat established in paragraph
(f) of this section, and the meal pattern in paragraphs (o) and (p) of this section, as applicable.
Compliance assistance may be offered during training, onsite visits, and/or administrative reviews.
(h) State agency responsibilities for monitoring dietary specifications -

7 CFR 220.8(h) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.8(h)(1)

(1) Calories, saturated fat, and sodium. When required by the administrative review process set forth in §
210.18, the State agency must conduct a weighted nutrient analysis to evaluate the average levels of
calories, saturated fat, and sodium of the breakfasts offered during one week within the review
period. The nutrient analysis must be conducted in accordance with the procedures established in §
210.10(i) of this chapter. If the results of the review indicate that the school breakfasts are not
meeting the standards for calories, saturated fat, or sodium specified in paragraph (f) of this section,
the State agency or school food authority must provide technical assistance and require the
reviewed school to take corrective action to meet the requirements.
(2) Trans fat. State agencies conducting an administrative review must review product labels of
manufacturer specifications to verify that the food products or ingredients used by the reviewed
school(s) contain zero grams of trans fat (less than 0.5 grams) per serving.
(i)

Nutrient analyses of school meals. Any nutrient analysis of school breakfasts conducted under the
administrative review process set forth in § 210.18 of this chapter must be performed in accordance with
the procedures established in § 210.10(i) of this chapter. The purpose of the nutrient analysis is to
determine the average levels of calories, saturated fat, and sodium in the breakfasts offered to each age
grade group over a school week.

(j)

Responsibility for monitoring meal requirements. Compliance with the applicable breakfast requirements
in paragraph (b) of this section, including the dietary specifications for calories, saturated fat, sodium and
trans fat, and paragraphs (o) and (p) of this section will be monitored by the State agency through
administrative reviews authorized in § 210.18 of this chapter.

(k) Menu choices at breakfast. The requirements in § 210.10(k) of this chapter also apply to this Program.
(l)

Requirements for breakfast period.
(1) Timing. Schools must offer breakfasts meeting the requirements of this section at or near the
beginning of the school day.
(2) [Reserved]

(m) Exceptions and variations allowed in reimbursable meals. The requirements in § 210.10(m) of this chapter
also apply to this Program.
(n) Nutrition disclosure. The requirements in § 210.10(n) of this chapter also apply to this Program.
(o) Breakfast requirements for preschoolers (1) Breakfasts served to preschoolers. Schools serving breakfast to children ages 1 through 4 under the
School Breakfast Program must serve the meal components and quantities required in the breakfast
meal pattern established for the Child and Adult Care Food Program under § 226.20(a), (c)(1), and
(d) of this chapter. In addition, schools serving breakfasts to this age group must comply with the
requirements set forth in paragraphs (a), (c)(3), (g), (k), (l), and (m) of this section as applicable.
(2) Preschooler breakfast meal pattern table. The minimum amounts of food components to be served
at breakfast are as follows:

7 CFR 220.8(o)(2) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
School Breakfast Program

7 CFR 220.8(p)

Table 4 to Paragraph (o)(2) - Preschool Breakfast Meal Pattern
Minimum quantities

Food components and food items 1
Fluid Milk

2

Ages 1-2

Ages 3-5

4 fluid ounces

6 fluid ounces.

Vegetables, fruits, or portions of both3

1⁄

4

cup

1⁄

2

cup.

Grains (oz eq) 4 5 6 7

1⁄

2

ounce equivalent

1⁄

2

ounce equivalent.

Endnotes:
1

Must serve all three components for a reimbursable meal.

2

Must be unflavored whole milk for children age one. Must be unflavored low-fat (1 percent) or
unflavored fat-free (skim) milk for children two through five years old.
3

Pasteurized full-strength juice may only be used to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one
meal, including snack, per day.
4

At least one serving per day, across all eating occasions, must be whole grain-rich. Grain-based
desserts do not count towards meeting the grains requirement.
5

Meat and meat alternates may be used to meet the entire grains requirement a maximum of three
times a week. One ounce of meat and meat alternates is equal to one ounce equivalent of grains.
6

Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce (no more than 21.2
grams sucrose and other sugars per 100 grams of dry cereal).
7

Refer to FNS guidance for additional information on crediting different types of grains.

(p) Breakfast requirements for infants (1) Breakfasts served to infants. Schools serving breakfasts to infants ages birth through 11 months
under the School Breakfast Program must serve the food components and quantities required in the
breakfast meal pattern established for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, under § 226.20(a),
(b), and (d) of this chapter. In addition, schools serving breakfasts to infants must comply with the
requirements set forth in paragraphs (a), (c)(3), (g), (k), (l), and (m) of this section as applicable.
(2) Infant breakfast meal pattern table. The minimum amounts of food components to be served at
breakfast are as follows:

Table 5 to Paragraph (p)(2) - Infant Breakfast Meal Pattern
Birth through 5 months
4-6 fluid ounces
formula2

breastmilk1

6 through 11 months
or

6-8 fluid ounces breastmilk1 or formula;2 and
0- 1⁄2 ounce equivalent infant cereal; 2 3 or

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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Birth through 5 months

7 CFR 220.9

6 through 11 months
0-4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, whole egg, cooked dry beans, or
cooked dry peas; or
0-2 ounces of cheese; or
0-4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or
0-4 ounces or 1⁄2 cup of yogurt;4 or a combination of the above;5 and
0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both. 5 6

1

Breastmilk or formula, or portions of both, must be served; however, it is recommended that
breastmilk be served in place of formula from birth through 11 months. For some breastfed infants
who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breastmilk per feeding, a serving of less
than the minimum amount of breastmilk may be offered, with additional breastmilk offered at a
later time if the infant will consume more.
2

Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron-fortified.

3

Refer to FNS guidance for additional information on crediting different types of grains.

4

Yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces.

5

A serving of this component is required when the infant is developmentally ready to accept it.

6

Fruit and vegetable juices must not be served.

[77 FR 4154, Jan. 26, 2012, as amended at 78 FR 39093, June 28, 2013; 81 FR 24375, Apr. 25, 2016; 81 FR 50193, July 29, 2016;
81 FR 75675, Nov. 1, 2016; 82 FR 56714, Nov. 30, 2017; 83 FR 63790, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 50292, Sept. 25, 2019; 85 FR 7854,
Feb. 12, 2020; 85 FR 74849, Nov. 24, 2020; 86 FR 57546, Oct. 18, 2021; 87 FR 7006, Feb. 7, 2022; 87 FR 47332, Aug. 3, 2022; 87
FR 52329, Aug. 25, 2022]

§ 220.9 Reimbursement payments.
(a) State agencies, or FNSRO's where applicable, shall make reimbursement payments to schools only in
connection with breakfasts meeting the requirements of § 220.8, and reported in accordance with §
220.11(b) of this part. School Food Authorities shall plan for and prepare breakfasts on the basis of
participation trends, with the objective of providing one breakfast per child per day. Production and
participation records shall be maintained to demonstrate positive action toward this objective. In
recognition of the fluctuation in participation levels which makes it difficult to precisely estimate the
number of breakfasts needed and to reduce the resultant waste, any excess breakfasts that are prepared
may be served to eligible children and may be claimed for reimbursement unless the State agency, or
FNSRO where applicable, determines that the School Food Authority has failed to plan and prepare
breakfasts with the objective of providing one breakfast per child per day. In no event shall the School
Food Authority claim reimbursement for free and reduced price breakfasts in excess of the number of
children approved for free and reduced price meals.

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.9(b)

(b) The rates of reimbursement for breakfasts served to eligible children in schools not in severe need are the
applicable national average payment factors for breakfasts. The maximum rates of reimbursement for
breakfasts served to eligible children in schools determined to be in severe need are those prescribed by
the Secretary. National average payment factors and maximum rates of reimbursement for the School
Breakfast Program shall be prescribed annually by the Secretary in the FEDERAL REGISTER.
(c) The total reimbursement for breakfasts served to eligible children in schools not in severe need, and
schools in severe need during the school year shall not exceed the sum of the products obtained by
multiplying the total numbers of such free, reduced price and paid breakfasts, respectively, by the
applicable rate of reimbursement for each type of breakfast as prescribed for the school year.
(d) The State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, shall determine whether a school is in severe need based
on the following eligibility criteria:
(1) The school is participating in or desiring to initiate a breakfast program; and
(2) At least 40 percent of the lunches served to students at the school in the second preceding school
year were served free or at a reduced price. Schools that did not serve lunches in the second
preceding year and that would like to receive reimbursement at the severe need rate may apply to
their administering State agency. The administering State agency shall approve or deny such
requests in accordance with guidance, issued by the Secretary, that determines that the second
preceding school year requirement would otherwise have been met.
(Sec. 6, Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3620 (42 U.S.C. 1776; secs. 801, 803, 812; Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535, 42 U.S.C.
1753, 1759(a), 1758, 1773; sec. 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 533 (42 U.S.C. 1759a, 1773 and 1757); 44 U.S.C. 3506))
[Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34760, Aug. 17, 1976, as amended by Amdt. 29, 44 FR 48159, Aug. 17, 1979; Amdt. 38, 46 FR 50928, Oct. 16,
1981; 46 FR 51368, Oct. 20, 1981; 47 FR 746, Jan. 7, 1982; 47 FR 31375, July 20, 1982; 48 FR 40196, 40197, Sept. 6, 1983; 60 FR
31222, June 13, 1995; 65 FR 26923, May 9, 2000; 70 FR 66249, Nov. 2, 2005]

§ 220.10 Effective date for reimbursement.
Reimbursement payments under the School Breakfast Program may be made only to School Food Authorities
operating under an agreement with the State Agency or the Department, and may be made only after execution of
the agreement. Such payments may include reimbursement in connection with breakfasts served in accordance
with provisions of the program in the calendar month preceding the calendar month in which the agreement is
executed.
[32 FR 35, Jan. 5, 1967, as amended by Amdt. 9, 37 FR 9613, May 13, 1972]

§ 220.11 Reimbursement procedures.
(a) To be entitled to reimbursement under this part, each School Food Authority shall submit to the State
agency, or FNSRO where applicable, a monthly Claim for Reimbursement.
(b) Claims for Reimbursement shall include data in sufficient detail to justify the reimbursement claimed and
to enable the State agency to provide the Reports of School Program Operations required under §
220.13(b)(2). Unless otherwise approved by FNS, the Claim for Reimbursement for any month shall
include only breakfasts served in that month except if the first or last month of Program operations for
any year contains 10 operating days or less, such month may be added to the Claim for Reimbursement
for the appropriate adjacent month; however, Claims for Reimbursement may not combine operations
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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.11(c)

occurring in two fiscal years. If a single State agency administers any combination of the Child Nutrition
Programs, the SFA shall be able to use a common claim form with respect to claims for reimbursement
for meals served under those programs. A final Claim for Reimbursement shall be postmarked and/or
submitted to the State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, not later than 60 days following the last day of
the full month covered by the claim. State agencies may establish shorter deadlines at their discretion.
Claims not postmarked and/or submitted within 60 days shall not be paid with Program funds unless FNS
determines that an exception should be granted. The State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, shall
promptly take corrective action with respect to any Claim for Reimbursement as determined necessary
through its claim review process or otherwise. In taking such corrective action, State agencies may make
upward adjustments in Program funds claimed on claims filed within the 60 day deadline if such
adjustments are completed within 90 days of the last day of the claim month and are reflected in the final
Report of School Program Operations (FNS-10) for the claim month which is required under §
220.13(b)(2). Upward adjustments in Program funds claimed which are not reflected in the final FNS-10
for the claim month shall not be made unless authorized by FNS. Downward adjustments in Program
funds claimed shall always be made, without FNS authorization, regardless of when it is determined that
such adjustments are necessary.
(c) Where a school participates in both the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast
Program, the State agency or FNSRO, where applicable, may authorize the submission of one claim for
reimbursement to cover both programs.
(d) The school food authority shall establish internal controls which ensure the accuracy of breakfast counts
prior to the submission of the monthly Claim for Reimbursement. At a minimum, these internal controls
shall include: an on-site review of the breakfast counting and claiming system employed by each school
within the jurisdiction of the school food authority; comparisons of daily free, reduced price and paid
breakfast counts against data which will assist in the identification of breakfast counts in excess of the
number of free, reduced price and paid breakfasts served each day to children eligible for such
breakfasts; and a system for following up on those breakfast counts which suggest the likelihood of
breakfast counting problems.
(1) On-site reviews. Every school year, each school food authority with more than one school shall
perform no less than one on-site review of the breakfast counting and claiming system and the
readily observable general areas of review identified under § 210.18(h) of this chapter, as specified
by FNS, for a minimum of 50 percent of schools under its jurisdiction with every school within the
jurisdiction being reviewed at least once every two years. The on-site review shall take place prior to
February 1 of each school year. Further, if the review discloses problems with a school's meal
counting or claiming procedures or general review areas, the school food authority shall ensure that
the school implements corrective action, and within 45 days of the review, conduct a follow-up onsite review to determine that the corrective action resolved the problems. Each on-site review shall
ensure that the school's claim is based on the counting system and that the counting system, as
implemented, yields the actual number of reimbursable free, reduced price and paid breakfasts,
respectively, served for each day of operation.
(2) School food authority claims review process. Prior to the submission of a monthly Claim for
Reimbursement, each school food authority shall review the breakfast count data for each school
under its jurisdiction to ensure the accuracy of the monthly Claim for Reimbursement. The objective
of this review is to ensure that monthly claims include only the number of free, reduced price and
paid breakfasts served on any day of operation to children currently eligible for such breakfasts.

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7 CFR 220.11(e)

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, may
advance funds available for the School Breakfast Program to a School Food Authority in an amount equal
to the reimbursement estimated for the total number of breakfasts, including free and reduced price
breakfasts, to be served to children for 1 month. The State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, shall
require School Food Authorities who receive advances of funds under the provisions of this paragraph to
make timely submissions of claims for reimbursement on a monthly basis and shall suspend advances of
funds in the absence of such timely submissions. Following the receipt of claims the State agency, or
FNSRO where applicable, shall make such adjustments as are necessary in such advances of funds to
insure that the total amount of reimbursement received by a School Food Authority for the fiscal year will
not exceed an amount equal to the number of breakfasts, including free and reduced price breakfast,
served to children times the respective rates of reimbursement assigned by the State agency, or FNSRO
where applicable, in accordance with § 220.9.
(Title 1, Chapter I, Pub. L. 96-38, 93 Stat. 98 (42 U.S.C. 1776a); secs. 807 and 808, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535, 42
U.S.C. 1772, 1784, 1760; sec. 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 533 (42 U.S.C. 1759a, 1773, 1757); Pub. L. 97-370, 96 Stat.
1806)
[32 FR 35, Jan. 5, 1967, as amended by Amdt. 9, 37 FR 9613, May 13, 1972; 40 FR 30924, July 24, 1975; 45 FR 82622, Dec. 16,
1980; 47 FR 31376, July 20, 1982; 48 FR 40196, Sept. 6, 1983; Amdt. 49, 49 FR 18987, May 4, 1984; 64 FR 50742, Sept. 20, 1999;
81 FR 50193, July 29, 2016]

§ 220.12 Competitive food services.
School food authorities must comply with the competitive food service and standards requirements specified in §
210.11 of this chapter.
[78 FR 39093, June 28, 2013]

§ 220.13 Special responsibilities of State agencies.
(a) [Reserved]
(a-1) Each State agency, or FNSRO where applicable, shall require each School Food Authority of a school
participating in the School Breakfast Program to develop and file for approval a free and reduced price
policy statement in accordance with paragraph (a) of § 220.7.
(b) Records and reports.
(1) Each State agency shall maintain Program records as necessary to support the reimbursement
payments made to School Food Authorities under § 220.9 and the reports submitted to FNS under §
220.13(b)(2). The records may be kept in their original form or on microfilm, and shall be retained for
a period of three years after the date of submission of the final Financial Status Report for the fiscal
year, except that if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the
three-year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit.
(2) Each State agency shall submit to FNS a final Report of School Program Operations (FNS-10) for
each month which shall be limited to claims submitted in accordance with § 220.11(b) and which
shall be postmarked and/or submitted no later than 90 days following the last day of the month
covered by the report. States shall not receive Program funds for any month for which the final report
is not submitted within this time limit unless FNS grants an exception. Upward adjustments to a
State agency's report shall not be made after 90 days from the month covered by the report unless
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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.13(b)(3)

authorized by FNS. Downward adjustments shall always be made, without FNS authorization,
regardless of when it is determined that such adjustments are necessary. Adjustments shall be
reported to FNS in accordance with procedures established by FNS. Each State agency shall also
submit to FNS a quarterly Financial Status Report (FNS-777) on the use of Program funds. Such
reports shall be postmarked and/or submitted no later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year
quarter. Obligations shall be reported only for the fiscal year in which they occur. A final Financial
Status Report for each fiscal year shall be postmarked and/or submitted to FNS within 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year. FNS shall not be responsible for reimbursing unpaid Program
obligations reported later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year in which they were incurred.
(3) For each of school years 2005-2006 through 2014-2015, each State agency shall monitor school
food authority compliance with the food safety inspection requirement in § 220.7(a)(2) and submit
an annual report to FNS documenting school compliance based on data supplied by the school food
authorities. The report must be filed by November 15 following each of school years 2005-2006
through 2014-2015, beginning November 15, 2006. The State agency shall keep the records supplied
by the school food authorities showing the number of food safety inspections obtained by schools
for the current and three most recent school years.
(c) Each State agency shall promptly investigate complaints received or irregularities noted in connection
with the operation of either program, and shall take appropriate action to correct any irregularities. State
Agencies shall maintain on file evidence of such investigations and actions. FNS or OI shall make
investigations at the request of the State Agency or where FNS or OI determines investigations are
appropriate.
(d) The State agency shall release to FNS any Federal funds made available to it under the Act which are
unobligated at the end of each fiscal year. Any such funds shall remain available to FNS for the purposes
of the programs authorized by the Act until expended. Release of funds by the State Agency shall be
made as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 30 days following demand by FNSRO and
shall be reflected by related adjustment in the State Agency's Letter of Credit.
(e) State agencies shall provide School Food Authorities with monthly information on foods available in
plentiful supply, based on information provided by the Department.
(f) Each State agency shall provide program assistance as follows:
(1) Each State agency or FNSRO where applicable shall provide consultative, technical, and managerial
personnel to administer programs, monitor performance, and measure progress toward achieving
program goals.
(2) State agencies must conduct administrative reviews of the school meal programs specified in §
210.18 of this chapter to ensure that schools participating in the designated programs comply with
the provisions of this title. The reviews of selected schools must focus on compliance with the
critical and general areas of review identified in § 210.18 for each program, as applicable, and must
be conducted as specified in the FNS Administrative Review Manual for each program. School food
authorities may appeal a denial of all or a part of the Claim for Reimbursement or withholding of
payment arising from review activity conducted by the State agency under § 210.18 of this chapter
or by FNS under § 210.29(d)(2) of this chapter. Any such appeal shall be subject to the procedures
set forth under § 210.18(p) of this chapter or § 210.29(d)(3) of this chapter, as appropriate.
(3) For the purposes of compliance with the meal requirements in §§ 220.8 and 220.23, the State
agency must follow the provisions specified in § 210.18(g) of this chapter, as applicable.
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7 CFR 220.13(f)(4)

(4) State agency assistance must include visits to participating schools selected for administrative
reviews under § 210.18 of this chapter to ensure compliance with program regulations and with the
Department's nondiscrimination regulations (part 15 of this title), issued under title VI, of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964.
(5) Documentation of such assistance shall be maintained on file by the State agency, or FNSRO where
applicable.
(g) State agencies shall adequately safeguard all assets and monitor resource management as required
under § 210.18 of this chapter, and in conformance with the procedures specified in the FNS
Administrative Review Manual, to assure that assets are used solely for authorized purposes.
(h) [Reserved]
(i)

Each State agency, or FNS where applicable, shall establish a financial management system under which
School Food Authorities shall account for all revenues and expenditures of their nonprofit school food
service. The system shall prescribe the allowability of nonprofit school food service expenditures in
accordance with this part and 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and E, as applicable, and USDA implementing
regulations 2 CFR part 400 and part 415, as applicable. The system shall permit determination of school
food service net cash resources, and shall include any criteria for approval of net cash resources in
excess of three months average expenditures. In addition, School Food Authorities shall be required to
account separately for other food services which are operated by the School Food Authority.

(j)

During audits, administrative reviews, or by other means, State agencies, or FNSROs where applicable,
shall be responsible for monitoring the net cash resources of the nonprofit school food service of each
School Food Authority participating in the Program. In the event that such resources exceed three months
average expenditures for the School Food Authority's nonprofit school food service, or such amount as
may be approved by the State agency or FNSRO where applicable, the State agency or FNSRO where
applicable, may require the School Food Authority to reduce children's prices, improve food quality or take
other actions designed to improve the nonprofit school food service. In the absence of any such action,
adjustments in the rates of reimbursement under the Program shall be made.

(k) State agencies shall require compliance by School Food Authorities with applicable provisions of this part.
(l)

Data collection related to school food authorities.
(1) Each State agency must collect data related to school food authorities that have an agreement with
the State agency to participate in the program for each of Federal fiscal years 2006 through 2009,
including those school food authorities that participated only for part of the fiscal year. Such data
shall include:
(i)

The name of each school food authority;

(ii) The city in which each participating school food authority was headquartered and the name of
the state;
(iii) The amount of funds provided to the participating organization, i.e., the amount of federal funds
reimbursed to each participating school food authority; and
(iv) The type of participating organization, e.g., government agency, educational institution, nonprofit organization/secular, non-profit organization/faith-based, and “other.”

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7 CFR 220.13(l)(2)

(2) On or before August 31, 2007, and each subsequent year through 2010, State agencies must report
to FNS data as specified in paragraph (l)(1) of this section for the prior Federal fiscal year. State
agencies must submit this data in a format designated by FNS.
(m) Program evaluations. States, State agencies, and contractors must cooperate in studies and evaluations
conducted by or on behalf of the Department, related to programs authorized under the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
(44 U.S.C. 3506; sec. 812, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1759a); sec. 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 533 (42
U.S.C. 1759a, 1773 and 1757); Pub. L. 79-396, 60 Stat. 231 (42 U.S.C. 1751); Pub. L. 89-642, 80 Stat 885-890 (42
U.S.C. 1773); Pub. L. 91-248, 84 Stat. 207 (42 U.S.C. 1759))
[32 FR 37, Jan. 5, 1967. Redesignated by Amdt. 2, 33 FR 14513, Sept. 27, 1968]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 220.13, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 220.14 Claims against school food authorities.
(a) State agencies shall disallow any portion of a claim and recover any payment made to a School Food
Authority that was not properly payable under this part. State agencies will use their own procedures to
disallow claims and recover overpayments already made.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) The State agency may refer to CND through the FNSRO for determination any action it proposes to take
under this section.
(d) The State agency shall maintain all records pertaining to action taken under this section. Such records
shall be retained for a period of 3 years after the end of the fiscal year to which they pertain.
(e) If CND does not concur with the State agency's action in paying a claim or a reclaim, or in failing to collect
an overpayment, CND shall assert a claim against the State agency for the amount of such claim, reclaim,
or overpayment. In all such cases the State agency shall have full opportunity to submit to CND evidence
or information concerning the action taken. If, in the determination of CND, the State agency's action was
unwarranted, the State agency shall promptly pay to FNS the amount of the claim, reclaim, or
overpayment.
(f) The amounts recovered by the State agency from Schools may be utilized, first, to make payments to
School Food Authorities for the purposes of the related program during the fiscal year for which the funds
were initially available, and second to repay any State funds expended in the reimbursement of claims
under the program and not otherwise repaid. Any amounts recovered which are not so utilized shall be
returned to FNS in accordance with the requirements of this part.
(g) With respect to School Food Authorities of schools in which the program is administered by FNSRO, when
FNSRO disallows a claim or a portion of a claim, or makes a demand for refund of an alleged
overpayment, it shall notify the School Food Authority of the reasons for such disallowance or demand
and the School Food Authority shall have full opportunity to submit evidence or to file reclaims for any
amounts disallowed or demanded in the same manner as that afforded in this section to School Food
Authorities of schools in which the program is administered by State agencies.

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7 CFR 220.14(h)

(h) In the event that the State agency or FNSRO, where applicable, finds that a school food authority is failing
to meet the requirements of § 220.8 of this part, the State agency or FNSRO need not disallow payment or
collect an overpayment arising out of such failure, if the State agency or FNSRO takes such other action
as, in its opinion, will have a corrective effect.
(i)

The Secretary shall have the authority to determine the amount of, to settle, and to adjust any claim
arising under the Program, and to compromise or deny such claim or any part thereof. The Secretary shall
also have the authority to waive such claims if the Secretary determines that to do so would serve the
purposes of the Program. This provision shall not diminish the authority of the Attorney General of the
United States under section 516 of Title 28, U.S. Code, to conduct litigation on behalf of the United States.

(44 U.S.C. 3506; secs. 804, 816 and 817, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1756, 1759, 1771 and
1785))
[32 FR 37, Jan. 5, 1967. Redesignated by Amdt. 2, 33 FR 14513, Sept. 27, 1968, and amended by Amdt. 9, 37 FR 9614, May 13,
1972; 40 FR 30925, July 24, 1975. Redesignated and amended by Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34757, 34760, Aug. 17, 1976; 47 FR 746, Jan.
7, 1982; Amdt. 42, 47 FR 14134, Apr. 2, 1982; 60 FR 31222, June 13, 1995; 65 FR 26931, May 9, 2000; 81 FR 50194, July 29, 2016]

§ 220.15 Management evaluations and audits.
(a) Unless otherwise exempt, audits at the State and institution levels shall be conducted in accordance with
2 CFR part 200, subpart F and Appendix XI, Compliance Supplement, and USDA implementing regulations
2 CFR part 400 and part 415.
(b) Each State agency shall provide FNS with full opportunity to conduct management evaluations (including
visits to schools) of all operations of the State agency under the programs covered by this part and shall
provide OIG with full opportunity to conduct audits (including visits to schools) of all operations of the
State agency under such programs. Each State agency shall make available its records, including records
of the receipt and expenditure of funds under such programs, upon a reasonable request by FNS or OIG.
OIG shall also have the right to make audits of the records and operations of any school.
(c) In conducting management evaluations, reviews, or audits in a fiscal year, the State agency, FNS, or OIG
may disregard an overpayment if the overpayment does not exceed $600. A State agency may establish,
through State law, regulation or procedure, an alternate disregard threshold that does not exceed $600.
This disregard may be made once per each management evaluation, review, or audit per Program within a
fiscal year. However, no overpayment is to be disregarded where there is substantial evidence of
violations of criminal law or civil fraud statutes.
(Secs. 805 and 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1773); sec. 812, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42
U.S.C. 1759a))
[40 FR 30925, July 24, 1975. Redesignated and amended by Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34757, 34760, Aug. 17, 1976; 43 FR 59825, Dec. 22,
1978; Amdt. 41, 47 FR 14135, Apr. 2, 1982; Amdt. 43, 47 FR 18564, Apr. 30, 1982; Amdt. 56, 54 FR 2990, Jan. 23, 1989; 57 FR
38587, Aug. 26, 1992; 59 FR 1894, Jan. 13, 1994; 64 FR 50742, Sept. 20, 1999; 71 FR 30563, May 30, 2006; 71 FR 39517, July 13,
2006; 81 FR 66491, Sept. 28, 2016]

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7 CFR 220.16

§ 220.16 Procurement standards.
(a) General. State agencies and school food authorities shall comply with the requirements of this part 2 CFR
part 200, subpart D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 and part 415, as applicable, which
implement the applicable Office of Management and Budget Circulars, concerning the procurement of all
goods and services with nonprofit school food service account funds.
(b) Contractual responsibilities. The standards contained in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and USDA
implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 and part 415, as applicable, do not relieve the State agency or
School Food Authority of any contractual responsibilities under its contract. The State agency or School
Food Authority is the responsible authority, without recourse to FNS, regarding the settlement and
satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues arising out of procurements entered into in
connection with the Program. This includes but is not limited to: Source evaluation, protests, disputes,
claims, or other matters of a contractual nature. Matters concerning violation of law are to be referred to
the local, State or Federal authority that has proper jurisdiction.
(c) Procedures. The State agency may elect to follow either the State laws, policies and procedures as
authorized by 2 CFR 200.317, or the procurement standards for other governmental grantees and all
governmental subgrantees in accordance with 2 CFR 200.318 through 2 CFR 200.326. Regardless of the
option selected, States must ensure that all contracts include any clauses required by Federal statutes
and executive orders and that the requirements of 2 CFR 200.326 are followed. The school food authority
may use its own procurement procedures which reflect applicable State and local laws and regulations,
provided that procurements made with nonprofit school food service account funds adhere to the
standards set forth in this part 2 CFR 200.326 and Appendix II, Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity
Contracts Under Federal Award as applicable. School food authority procedures must include a written
code of standards of conduct meeting the minimum standards of 2 CFR 200.318, as applicable.
(1) Pre-issuance review requirement. The State agency may impose a pre-issuance review requirement
on a school food authority's proposed procurement. The school food authority must make available,
upon request of the State agency, its procurement documents, including but not limited to
solicitation documents, specifications, evaluation criteria, procurement procedures, proposed
contracts and contract terms. School food authorities shall comply with State agency requests for
changes to procurement procedures and solicitation and contract documents to ensure that, to the
State agency's satisfaction, such procedures and documents reflect applicable procurement and
contract requirements and the requirements of this part.
(2) Prototype solicitation documents and contracts. The school food authority must obtain the State
agency's prior written approval for any change made to prototype solicitation or contract documents
before issuing the revised solicitation documents or execution of the revised contract.
(3) Prohibited expenditures. No expenditure may be made from the nonprofit school food service
account for any cost resulting from a procurement failing to meet the requirements of this part.
(d) Buy American (1) Definition of domestic commodity or product. In this paragraph (d), the term “domestic commodity or
product” means (i)

An agricultural commodity that is produced in the United States; and

(ii) A food product that is processed in the United States substantially using agricultural
commodities that are produced in the United States.
7 CFR 220.16(d)(1)(ii) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR 220.16(d)(2)

(2) Requirement (i)

In general. Subject to paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section, the Department shall require that a
school food authority purchase, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic commodities or
products.

(ii) Limitations. Paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section shall apply only to (A) A school food authority located in the contiguous United States; and
(B) A purchase of domestic commodity or product for the school breakfast program under
this part.
(3) Applicability to Hawaii. Paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section shall apply to a school food authority in
Hawaii with respect to domestic commodities or products that are produced in Hawaii in sufficient
quantities to meet the needs of meals provided under the school breakfast program under this part.
(e) Cost reimbursable contracts (1) Required provisions. The school food authority must include the following provisions in all cost
reimbursable contracts, including contracts with cost reimbursable provisions, and in solicitation
documents prepared to obtain offers for such contracts:
(i)

Allowable costs will be paid from the nonprofit school food service account to the contractor
net of all discounts, rebates and other applicable credits accruing to or received by the
contractor or any assignee under the contract, to the extent those credits are allocable to the
allowable portion of the costs billed to the school food authority;

(ii)
(A) The contractor must separately identify for each cost submitted for payment to the school
food authority the amount of that cost that is allowable (can be paid from the nonprofit
school food service account) and the amount that is unallowable (cannot be paid from the
nonprofit school food service account), or;
(B) The contractor must exclude all unallowable costs from its billing documents and certify
that only allowable costs are submitted for payment and records have been established
that maintain the visibility of unallowable costs, including directly associated costs in a
manner suitable for contract cost determination and verification;
(iii) The contractor's determination of its allowable costs must be made in compliance with the
applicable Departmental and Program regulations and Office of Management and Budget cost
circulars;
(iv) The contractor must identify the amount of each discount, rebate and other applicable credit on
bills and invoices presented to the school food authority for payment and identify the amount
as a discount, rebate, or in the case of other applicable credits, the nature of the credit. If
approved by the State agency, the school food authority may permit the contractor to report this
information on a less frequent basis than monthly, but no less frequently than annually;
(v) The contractor must identify the method by which it will report discounts, rebates and other
applicable credits allocable to the contract that are not reported prior to conclusion of the
contract; and

7 CFR 220.16(e)(1)(v) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.16(e)(1)(vi)

(vi) The contractor must maintain documentation of costs and discounts, rebates, and other
applicable credits, and must furnish such documentation upon request to the school food
authority, the State agency, or the Department.
(2) Prohibited expenditures. No expenditure may be made from the nonprofit school food service
account for any cost resulting from a cost reimbursable contract that fails to include the
requirements of this section, nor may any expenditure be made from the nonprofit school food
service account that permits or results in the contractor receiving payments in excess of the
contractor's actual, net allowable costs.
(f) Geographic preference.
(1) School food authorities participating in the Program, as well as State agencies making purchases on
behalf of such school food authorities, may apply a geographic preference when procuring
unprocessed locally grown or locally raised agricultural products. When utilizing the geographic
preference to procure such products, the school food authority making the purchase or the State
agency making purchases on behalf of such school food authorities have the discretion to determine
the local area to which the geographic preference option will be applied;
(2) For the purpose of applying the optional geographic preference in paragraph (f)(1) of this section,
“unprocessed locally grown or locally raised agricultural products” means only those agricultural
products that retain their inherent character. The effects of the following food handling and
preservation techniques shall not be considered as changing an agricultural product into a product
of a different kind or character: Cooling; refrigerating; freezing; size adjustment made by peeling,
slicing, dicing, cutting, chopping, shucking, and grinding; forming ground products into patties
without any additives or fillers; drying/dehydration; washing; packaging (such as placing eggs in
cartons), vacuum packing and bagging (such as placing vegetables in bags or combining two or
more types of vegetables or fruits in a single package); addition of ascorbic acid or other
preservatives to prevent oxidation of produce; butchering livestock and poultry; cleaning fish; and the
pasteurization of milk.
(Pub. L. 79-396, 60 Stat. 231 (42 U.S.C. 1751); Pub. L. 89-642, 80 Stat. 885-890 (42 U.S.C. 1773); Pub. L. 91-248, 84
Stat. 207 (42 U.S.C. 1759))
[Amdt. 45, 48 FR 19355, Apr. 29, 1983, as amended at 64 FR 50743, Sept. 20, 1999; 71 FR 39517, July 13, 2006; 72 FR 61494, Oct.
31, 2007; 76 FR 22607, Apr. 22, 2011; 81 FR 66491, Sept. 28, 2016]

§ 220.17 Prohibitions.
(a) In carrying out the provisions of this part, the Department shall not impose any requirements with respect
to teaching personnel, curriculum, instructions, methods of instruction, and materials of instruction in any
school as a condition for participation in the Program.
(b) The value of assistance to children under the Act shall not be considered to be income or resources for
any purposes under any Federal or State laws, including, but not limited to, laws relating to taxation,
welfare, and public assistance programs. Expenditure of funds from State and local sources for the
maintenance of food programs for children shall not be diminished as a result of funds received under the
Act.
[32 FR 37, Jan. 5, 1967. Redesignated by Amdt. 2, 33 FR 14513, Sept. 27, 1968. Redesignated and amended by Amdt. 25, 41 FR
34757, 34760, Aug. 17, 1976; 64 FR 50743, Sept. 20, 1999]
7 CFR 220.17(b) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
School Breakfast Program

7 CFR 220.18

§ 220.18 Withholding payments.
In accordance with 2 CFR 200.338 through 342, the State agency shall withhold Program payments, in whole or in
part, to any school food authority which has failed to comply with the provisions of this part. Program payments
shall be withheld until the school food authority takes corrective action satisfactory to the State agency, or gives
evidence that such corrective actions will be taken, or until the State agency terminates the grant in accordance with
§ 220.19. Subsequent to the State agency's acceptance of the corrective actions, payments will be released for any
breakfasts served in accordance with the provisions of this part during the period the payments were withheld.
[72 FR 61495, Oct. 31, 2007, as amended at 81 FR 66491, Sept. 28, 2016]

§ 220.19 Suspension, termination and grant closeout procedures.
Whenever it is determined that a State agency has materially failed to comply with the provisions of this part, or with
FNS guidelines and instructions, FNS may suspend or terminate the Program in whole, or in part, or take any other
action as may be available and appropriate. A State agency may also terminate the Program by mutual agreement
with FNS. FNS and the State agency shall comply with the provisions of 2 CFR part 200, subpart D and USDA
implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 subparts B and D and USDA implementing regulations 2 CFR part 400 and
part 415 concerning grant suspension, termination and closeout procedures. Furthermore, the State agency or
FNSRO were applicable, shall apply these provisions to suspension or termination of the Program in School Food
Authorities.
[Amdt. 49, 49 FR 18988, May 4, 1984, as amended at 71 FR 39517, July 13, 2006. Redesignated at 72 FR 61495, Oct. 31, 2007, as
amended at 81 FR 66491, Sept. 28, 2016]

§ 220.20 Free and reduced price breakfasts.
The determination of the children to whom free and reduced price breakfasts are to be served because of inability
to pay the full price thereof, and the serving of the breakfasts to such children, shall be effected in accordance with
part 245 of this chapter.
[Amdt. 25, 41 FR 34760, Aug. 17, 1976. Redesignated at 72 FR 61495, Oct. 31, 2007]

§ 220.21 Program information.
School Food Authorities desiring information concerning the program should write to their State educational agency
or to the appropriate Food and Nutrition Service Regional Office as indicated below:
(a) In the States of Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virginia,
Virgin Islands, and West Virginia: Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, FNS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 300
Corporate Boulevard, Robbinsville, New Jersey 08691-1598.
(b) In the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Tennessee: Southeast Regional Office, FNS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 161 Forsyth Street SW., Room
8T36, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
(c) In the States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin: Midwest Regional Office, FNS,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, 20th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60604-3507.

7 CFR 220.21(c) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR 220.21(d)

(d) In the States of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas: Southwest Regional Office, FNS,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1100 Commerce Street, Room 5-C-30, Dallas, Texas 75242.
(e) In the States of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Washington: Western Regional Office, FNS, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 90 Seventh Street, Suite 10-100, San Francisco, California 94103-6701.
(f) In the States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and
Vermont: Northeast Regional Office, FNS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10 Causeway Street, Room 501,
Boston, Massachusetts 02222-1065.
(g) In the States of Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
and Wyoming: Mountain Plains Regional Office, FNS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1244 Speer
Boulevard, Suite 903, Denver, Colorado 80204.
(Sec. 10(a), Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3623 (42 U.S.C. 1760); sec. 10(d)(3), Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3624 (42 U.S.C.
1757); sec. 14, Pub. L. 95-627, 92 Stat. 3625-3626; secs. 804, 816, 817 and 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42
U.S.C. 1753, 1756, 1759, 1771, 1773, and 1785))
[32 FR 37, Jan. 5, 1967. Redesignated at 49 FR 18988, May 4, 1984, and further redesignated at 72 FR 61495, Oct. 31, 2007, as
amended at 76 FR 34569, June 13, 2011]

Editorial Note: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 220.20, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which
appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 220.22 Information collection/recordkeeping - OMB assigned control numbers.
7 CFR section where
requirements are described

Current OMB
control No.

220.3(e)

0584-0067

220.7(a),(d), (e)

0584-0012

220.8(a)(3), (o)

0584-0012

220.9(a)

0584-0012

220.11 (a)-(b)

0584-0012

220.13 (a-1), (b), (c), (e), (f)

0584-0012
0584-0594

220.14(d)

0584-0012

220.15

0584-0012

[81 FR 50194, July 29, 2016]

Appendix A to Part 220 - Alternate Foods for Meals

Alternate Protein Products

7 CFR 220.22 (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR Appendix-A-to-Part-220 A.1.

A. What Are the Criteria for Alternate Protein Products Used in the School Breakfast
Program?
1.

An alternate protein product used in meals planned under the food-based menu planning approaches
in § 220.8(g), must meet all of the criteria in this section.

2.

An alternate protein product whether used alone or in combination with meat or other meat
alternates must meet the following criteria:
a.

The alternate protein product must be processed so that some portion of the non-protein
constituents of the food is removed. These alternate protein products must be safe and
suitable edible products produced from plant or animal sources.

b.

The biological quality of the protein in the alternate protein product must be at least 80 percent
that of casein, determined by performing a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score
(PDCAAS).

c.

The alternate protein product must contain at least 18 percent protein by weight when fully
hydrated or formulated. (“When hydrated or formulated” refers to a dry alternate protein product
and the amount of water, fat, oil, colors, flavors or any other substances which have been
added).

d.

Manufacturers supplying an alternate protein product to participating schools or institutions
must provide documentation that the product meets the criteria in paragraphs A.2. a through c
of this appendix.

e.

Manufacturers should provide information on the percent protein contained in the dry alternate
protein product and on an as prepared basis.

f.

For an alternate protein product mix, manufacturers should provide information on:
(1) The amount by weight of dry alternate protein product in the package;
(2) Hydration instructions; and
(3) instructions on how to combine the mix with meat or other meat alternates.

B. How Are Alternate Protein Products Used in the School Breakfast Program?
1.

Schools, institutions, and service institutions may use alternate protein products to fulfill all or part of
the meat/meat alternate component discussed in § 220.8. The following terms and conditions
apply:
a.

The alternate protein product may be used alone or in combination with other food ingredients.
Examples of combination items are beef patties, beef crumbles, pizza topping, meat loaf, meat
sauce, taco filling, burritos, and tuna salad.

b.

Alternate protein products may be used in the dry form (nonhydrated), partially hydrated or fully
hydrated form. The moisture content of the fully hydrated alternate protein product (if prepared
from a dry concentrated form) must be such that the mixture will have a minimum of 18
percent protein by weight or equivalent amount for the dry or partially hydrated form (based on
the level that would be provided if the product were fully hydrated).

7 CFR Appendix-A-to-Part-220 B.1.b. (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Appendix-C-to-Part-220 1.

C. How Are Commercially Prepared Products Used in the School Breakfast Program?
Schools, institutions, and service institutions may use a commercially prepared meat or other meat alternate
products combined with alternate protein products or use a commercially prepared product that contains only
alternate protein products.
(Secs. 804, 816, 817, and 819, Pub. L. 97-35, 95 Stat. 521-535 (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1756, 1759, 1771, 1773 and 1785))
[Amdt. 18, 39 FR 11249, Mar. 27, 1974, as amended at 40 FR 37027, Aug. 25, 1975; Amdt. 45, 48 FR 195, Jan. 4, 1983; Amdt. 57,
54 FR 13048, Mar. 30, 1989; 60 FR 31222, June 13, 1995; 65 FR 12436, Mar. 9, 2000; 65 FR 26923, May 9, 2000. Redesignated at
72 FR 61495, Oct. 31, 2007; 77 FR 4167, Jan. 26, 2012]

Appendix B to Part 220 [Reserved]
Appendix C to Part 220 - Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program
1.

The Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Program is a voluntary technical assistance program administered by
the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in conjunction with the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS),
and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and National
Marine Fisheries Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) for the Child Nutrition Programs.
This program essentially involves the review of a manufacturer's recipe or product formulation to
determine the contribution a serving of a commercially prepared product makes toward meal pattern
requirements and a review of the CN label statement to ensure its accuracy. CN labeled products must be
produced in accordance with all requirements set forth in this rule.

2.

Products eligible for CN labels are as follows:
(a) Commercially prepared food products that contribute significantly to the meat/meat alternate
component of meal pattern requirements of 7 CFR 210.10 or 210.10a, whichever is applicable,
225.21, and 226.20 and are served in the main dish.
(b) Juice drinks and juice drink products that contain a minimum of 50 percent full-strength juice by
volume.

3.

For the purpose of this appendix the following definitions apply:
(a) “CN label” is a food product label that contains a CN label statement and CN logo as defined in
paragraph 3 (b) and (c) below.
(b) The “CN logo” (as shown below) is a distinct border which is used around the edges of a “CN label
statement” as defined in paragraph 3(c).

(c) The “CN label statement” includes the following:
7 CFR Appendix-C-to-Part-220 3.(c) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Appendix-C-to-Part-220 3.(c)(1)

(1) The product identification number (assigned by FNS),
(2) The statement of the product's contribution toward meal pattern requirements of 7 CFR 210.10
or 210.10a, whichever is applicable, 220.8, 225.21, and 226.20. The statement shall identify the
contribution of a specific portion of a meat/meat alternate product toward the meat/meat
alternate, bread/bread alternate, and/or vegetable/fruit component of the meal pattern
requirements. For juice drinks and juice drink products the statement shall identify their
contribution toward the vegetable/fruit component of the meal pattern requirements,
(3) Statement specifying that the use of the CN logo and CN statement was authorized by FNS, and
(4) The approval date.
For example:

(d) Federal inspection means inspection of food products by FSIS, AMS or USDC.
4.

Food processors or manufacturers may use the CN label statement and CN logo as defined in paragraph 3
(b) and (c) under the following terms and conditions:
(a) The CN label must be reviewed and approved at the national level by the Food and Nutrition Service
and appropriate USDA or USDC Federal agency responsible for the inspection of the product.
(b) The CN labeled product must be produced under Federal inspection by USDA or USDC. The Federal
inspection must be performed in accordance with an approved partial or total quality control
program or standards established by the appropriate Federal inspection service.
(c) The CN label statement must be printed as an integral part of the product label along with the
product name, ingredient listing, the inspection shield or mark for the appropriate inspection
program, the establishment number where appropriate, and the manufacturer's or distributor's name
and address.
(1) The inspection marking for CN labeled non-meat, non-poultry, and non-seafood products with
the exception of juice drinks and juice drink products is established as follows:

7 CFR Appendix-C-to-Part-220 4.(c)(1) (enhanced display)

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7 CFR Part 220 (up to date as of 2/21/2023)
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7 CFR Appendix-C-to-Part-220 4.(d)

(d) Yields for determining the product's contribution toward meal pattern requirements must be
calculated using the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (Program Aid Number 1331).
5.

In the event a company uses the CN logo and CN label statement inappropriately, the company will be
directed to discontinue the use of the logo and statement and the matter will be referred to the
appropriate agency for action to be taken against the company.

6.

Products that bear a CN label statement as set forth in paragraph 3(c) carry a warranty. This means that if
a food service authority participating in the child nutrition programs purchases a CN labeled product and
uses it in accordance with the manufacturer's directions, the school or institution will not have an audit
claim filed against it for the CN labeled product for noncompliance with the meal pattern requirements of
7 CFR 210.10 or 210.10a, whichever is applicable, 220.8, 225.21, and 226.20. If a State or Federal auditor
finds that a product that is CN labeled does not actually meet the meal pattern requirements claimed on
the label, the auditor will report this finding to FNS. FNS will prepare a report of the findings and send it to
the appropriate divisions of FSIS and AMS of the USDA, National Marine Fisheries Services of the USDC,
Food and Drug Administration, or the Department of Justice for action against the company.
Any or all of the following courses of action may be taken:
(a) The company's CN label may be revoked for a specific period of time;
(b) The appropriate agency may pursue a misbranding or mislabeling action against the company
producing the product;
(c) The company's name will be circulated to regional FNS offices;
(d) FNS will require the food service program involved to notify the State agency of the labeling violation.

7.

FNS is authorized to issue operational policies, procedures, and instructions for the CN Labeling Program.

To apply for a CN label and to obtain additional information on CN label application procedures write to: CN Labels,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Nutrition and Technical Services Division, 3101 Park
Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.
(National School Lunch Act, secs. 9, 13, 17; 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1761, 1766; 7 CFR 210.10, 220.8, 225.21, 226.20)
[49 FR 18457, May 1, 1984; 49 FR 45109, Nov. 15, 1984; 60 FR 31222, June 13, 1995; 65 FR 26923, May 9, 2000]

7 CFR Appendix-C-to-Part-220 7. (enhanced display)

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