If you have questions regarding waiver, policies and procedures, Maine and Federal regulations, please contact a member of the Child Nutrition staff.
Child Nutrition programs are governed by federal and state laws and regulations. Federal laws are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, and state laws are administered by the Maine Department of Education. School districts in the National School Lunch Program must follow USDA regulations for federally subsidized meals and for all foods sold outside of the National School Lunch Program. Information on current federal regulations, State of Maine laws, and links to USDA memorandums are provided below.
- DOE Child Nutrition Policies and Procedures
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National School Lunch Program
LEA Notification of Eligibility for District Wide CEP Eligibility Provision
Child Nutrition Appeal Process
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) School Selection Procedure
Withholding Standard Operating Procedure
Professional Standards for School Food ServiceCivil Rights
Civil Rights Addressing ADA Policy
Civil Rights Limited English Proficiency Procedure
Civil Rights Responsibility and Rights Sharing PolicyUSDA Food
USDA Commodity Warehouse Inventory and Reconciliation Procedure
USDA Food Adjusting Values of Food for Recipient Agencies
USDA Food Pre-Survey or Preferred Items
Warehouse Safety and Sanitation Review ProcedureWaste
- Federal Guidance and Memos
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USDA Policy Memos - Not COVID-19 Related
USDA Guidance and Resources
USDA FNS Documents & Resources
USDA Memo SP 16-2016 Disclosure Requirements for the Child Nutrition Program
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG) Interactive Web-Based Tool
Direct Certification in the NSLP This report responds to the requirement of Public Law 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of State and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals.
Get the Facts About Food Safety Addresses common myths and misconceptions related to food safety when incorporating locally grown foods in school meals.
Unpaid meal charges resources for SFAs
- Maine Statutes, Regulations, Policy, and Legislation
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Meals at No Charge
Legislation Regarding Meals At No Charge, Breakfast After The Bell, and CACFP At-Risk https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec6602.html
LD 1679 An Act Regarding Expanding Access to Free School Meals http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0540&item=5&snum=130
Online Applications
Maine DOE has extended their partnership with Nutri-Link Technologies, Inc, to provide an online meal benefit application through school year 2022. There is no cost to Maine public school districts that participate in the federal Child Nutrition Programs. For more information, email paula.nadeau@maine.gov. LD 1679 requires districts participating in our program to accept data from this application. Exceptions include districts who are unable to accept applications if they are CEP or a non-base year Special Provision 2 school.
Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act link to USDA; regulations and legislation related to the 2010 act to reform child nutrition programs
Maine Department of Education Administrative Letters
Maine State Legislature Bill Search
Special Provisions
Summary of Legislative Bills for Child NutritionAdvertising on School Grounds: Maine Statues: Title 20 A: Chapter 223, Sub Chapter 9, 6662
§6662. Foods outside school meal program
3.Food and beverage advertising. Brand-specific advertising of food or beverages is prohibited in school buildings or on school grounds except for food and beverages meeting standards for sale or distribution on school grounds in accordance with rules adopted under subsection 2.
For the purposes of this subsection, "advertising" does not include advertising on broadcast media or in print media such as newspapers and magazines, clothing with brand images worn on school grounds or advertising on product packaging.
- USDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and Rules
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Civil Rights Guidance USDA
Code of Federal Regulations - Federal Register for all departments and agencies of the Federal Government
Part 15b. Nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance
Super Circular 200