Every major K-12 school nutrition conference we've confirmed for the 2026–27 cycle, organized by date. National events are listed first, followed by state-level conferences. Verify dates with each organization before booking travel — schedules can shift.
National Events 4 events+
State Conferences — 2026 14 events+
State Conferences — 2027 (Confirmed) 1 event+
As of June 1, 2026, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) officially became the Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA). The agency is updating its web presence accordingly — links now route through fna.usda.gov. Below are the most relevant recent developments for K-12 school nutrition programs.
Policy 2026–27 Income Eligibility Guidelines Now in Effect +
Updated income thresholds for free and reduced-price meals, free milk, and Summer EBT benefits take effect July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines — 130% for free meals, 185% for reduced-price. Applies to NSLP, School Breakfast, Special Milk, CACFP, and SFSP.
View 2026–27 IEG tables at fna.usda.gov →
Final Rule School Nutrition Standards: Meal Patterns Under the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines +
FNA's final rule updating meal patterns for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs is in effect. Key provisions: added sugar limits for flavored milk apply starting SY 2025–26; sodium limits (Target 2) may be maintained through SY 2026–27 per the Appropriations Act. All K-12 schools may continue to offer low-fat and fat-free milk, both flavored and unflavored.
Full standards overview at fna.usda.gov →
Final Rule WIC Food Packages: Vitamin D in Yogurt Implementation Delayed 36 Months +
A technical corrections rule published June 24, 2026 extends the deadline for WIC state agencies to meet the vitamin D fortification requirement for yogurt by 36 months, citing limited marketplace availability of qualifying products. The rule also corrects table entry errors from the April 2024 final rule.
fna.usda.gov →
Open Grants FY 2026 Open Grant Opportunities — Act Before July +
Four grant opportunities are currently open with deadlines in late June and mid-July 2026. School nutrition programs and state agencies should review eligibility before windows close.
Resource USDA-Approved Nutrient Analysis Software List +
FNA maintains a current list of USDA-approved nutrient analysis software for use in Child Nutrition Programs. If your district uses software for menu planning, nutritional analysis, or compliance documentation, confirm it appears on this list.
View approved software list at fna.usda.gov →
Programs Child Nutrition Programs Quick Reference +
FNA administers seven core Child Nutrition Programs relevant to K-12 districts: the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer EBT, and Summer Food Service Program. Each has distinct reimbursement structures, meal pattern requirements, and compliance timelines.
National School Lunch Program → School Breakfast Program →USDA funds the child nutrition programs, but you don't apply to USDA directly. In nearly every state, you apply through your state agency — usually the Department of Education or Agriculture — which administers the federal program locally. The general path is the same across all seven programs below.
The application path, in five steps
Below, each program with who it serves, who can operate it, and where the official details live. Tap any program to expand.
National School Lunch ProgramNSLP+
Provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Operates in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions.
- Who can apply
- Public school districts, nonprofit private schools (501(c)(3)), charter schools, and residential child care institutions, operating on a nonprofit food service basis.
- Apply through
- Your state educational agency, which signs a written agreement with your School Food Authority (SFA).
- Reimbursement
- Per-meal cash reimbursement (higher rates for free/reduced-price meals), plus USDA donated commodities.
School Breakfast ProgramSBP+
Provides reimbursement for nutritious breakfasts served to children at the start of the school day. Schools with high free/reduced-price participation may qualify for "severe need" reimbursement at a higher rate.
- Who can apply
- Same operators as NSLP — public and nonprofit private schools, charters, and RCCIs. Most SFAs run NSLP and SBP together under one agreement.
- Apply through
- Your state educational agency, typically alongside your NSLP application.
- Reimbursement
- Per-meal cash reimbursement, with elevated rates for severe-need schools.
Child & Adult Care Food ProgramCACFP+
Reimburses nutritious meals and snacks served at child care centers, day care homes, afterschool care programs, emergency shelters, and adult day care centers.
- Who can apply
- Child care centers, Head Start programs, afterschool programs, emergency shelters, and adult day care facilities. Independent centers may contract directly with the state agency; family child care homes must join under a sponsoring organization.
- Apply through
- Your state agency. New institutions submit an initial application; under recent rules, renewing institutions submit annual updates rather than a full re-application.
- Reimbursement
- Per-meal/snack rates updated annually by USDA, based on enrollment and eligibility.
Summer Food Service ProgramSFSP+
Provides meals to children during summer and other extended school breaks, typically at sites in low-income areas (where 50%+ of children qualify for free/reduced-price meals).
- Who can apply
- Public or nonprofit private schools, local/tribal/state government units, nonprofit organizations, camps, and colleges/universities — operating as a "sponsor" responsible for one or more meal sites.
- Apply through
- Your state agency (usually the education agency). Sponsors sign an agreement, attend training, and get sites approved. Many states open sponsor applications in late winter/early spring.
- Reimbursement
- Per-meal rates; "self-prep" sites that make their own meals receive a slightly higher rate. FNS can help with startup costs for new sponsors.
Summer EBTSUN BUCKS+
Provides grocery-purchasing benefits to families of eligible children during the summer months, supplementing summer meal sites. Administered by states and Indian Tribal Organizations.
- Who operates it
- State agencies and Indian Tribal Organizations administer Summer EBT — not individual schools. Districts support it mainly through student eligibility data.
- School role
- Schools typically aren't "applicants" here, but accurate free/reduced-price eligibility records and direct-certification data feed the benefit. Coordinate with your state agency on data sharing.
- Eligibility
- Children eligible for free/reduced-price school meals; income thresholds follow the annual Income Eligibility Guidelines.
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable ProgramFFVP+
A grant program that provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to students at participating elementary schools, outside of regular meal times. Targets schools with the highest free/reduced-price enrollment.
- Who can apply
- Elementary schools already participating in NSLP, prioritized by percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals.
- Apply through
- Your state agency, via an annual grant application. Funds are awarded as per-student allocations; selected schools agree to program reviews.
- Funding
- Grant-based (not per-meal reimbursement). Award amounts are set per enrolled student.
Special Milk ProgramSMP+
Provides milk to children in schools and child care institutions that don't participate in other federal meal service programs, or to specific groups (such as half-day kindergarten) not served by those programs.
- Who can apply
- Schools, child care institutions, camps, and similar nonprofit entities that don't already offer federally reimbursed meals to the children in question.
- Apply through
- Your state agency, via a written agreement. Operators electing SMP at sites not covered by other programs sign a separate or addended agreement.
- Reimbursement
- Per-half-pint reimbursement; free milk available to eligible children at qualifying sites.