This resource provides a visual overview of how school food finance works, the cost of producing school meals, and the Offer Versus Serve program. It also illustrates the complex nutrition standards and meal pattern requirements School Food Authorities must follow for the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program. 

For community members, this resource serves as a way to better understand the rigorous requirements our school food operators are up against and why change towards scratch-cooking can be slower than we may dream of. 

For farmers, ranchers, suppliers, and local businesses, this resource serves as a way to better understand how the products you sell or would like to sell to schools can fit into school meal programs. Understanding these requirements may help provide you with additional ways to market your products to schools.   

For school food operators, this resource will help you better understand the muddy waters of nutrition standards and meal pattern requirements, to help ensure that you are meeting the USDA regulations for a successful (and compliant!) school meal program. 

Below are three sites to visit for more detailed information on the programs and regulations mentioned in this resource:

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