National School Lunch Program Meal Pattern
Training Instructions: This training was designed specifically as a group training option for schools/districts, but can also be viewed individually. It is suggested to review the training videos below as a group with your staff, and to use the suggested activities to supplement the training.
For districts using these sessions for group trainings, please read these instructions and download the attendance sheet template.
Certificate of Training: Upon reviewing the training video, complete the Check Your Knowledge & Evaluation linked below to access a certificate of training indicating the hours and suggested learning codes (SLC) earned towards your professional standards requirement. If you conducted this as a group training, complete only one survey and follow the instructions for the group training certificate.
0.5 CEUs, Suggested Learning Codes: 1110, 2210, 2220
Training Materials:
- National School Lunch Program Meal Pattern Training Video
- Meal Pattern Update: Under the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, schools may now offer whole, reduced-fat (2%), low fat (1%), & fat-free flavored and unflavored milk as part of NSLP.
- Suggested Activities
- Check Your Knowledge and Evaluation (complete to access your certificate)
Additional Resources:
- Use this training link to view.
- After clicking play, you can use the icons in the video tool bar to view in full screen, pause, mute, or turn on closed captions.
- To view auto-generated closed captions in a language other than English, turn on closed captions (cc), click settings (gear icon), subtitles/cc, auto-translate, select preferred language.
NOTE: These subtitles are translated by an artificial intelligence tool and have not been reviewed for accuracy.
1.25 CEUs, Suggested Learning Codes: 2310, 4120
Lesson 1: School Nutrition Programs Overview Lesson 2: School Nutrition Program Requirements Lesson 3: How to Join the School Nutrition Programs
Additional Resources: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) – USDA-FNS Offer versus Serve Guidance for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) – USDA-FNS School Breakfast Program (SBP) – USDA-FNS Afterschool Snacks – USDA-FNS Special Milk Program (SMP) – USDA-FNS
0.75 CEUs, Suggested Learning Codes: 1170, 2510
Lesson 1: Role of USDA Foods in School Meal Programs
Lesson 2: USDA Foods Ordering and Tracking
Additional Resources:
USDA Foods Cost Analysis Tool
1 CEU, Suggested Learning Codes: 3260, 3310, 3320
Lesson 1: Administrative Review Basics
Lesson 2: Meal Access and Reimbursement, Meal Pattern and Nutritional Quality
Lesson 3: Resource Management, General Program Compliance and Other Federal Program Reviews
Lesson 4: Administrative Review Process Summary
Additional Resources:
Certification of Compliance – USDA-FNS
USDA Approved Certification of Compliance Tools and Software – USDA-FNS
1 CEU, Suggested Learning Codes: 3300, 3360
Lesson 1: Financial Management and Budgeting
Lesson 2: Maintenance of the Nonprofit School Food Service Account
Lesson 3: Key Financial Reports
Lesson 4: Nonprogram Foods and Paid Lunch Equity (PLE)
Post-test and Evaluation
Additional Resources:
none available at this time
Recognized by DESE as the State-approved civil rights training.
0.75 CEUs, Suggested Learning Codes: 3240, 4150
Lesson 1: Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs
Additional Resources:
Civil Rights (Spanish) Derechos Civiles en los Programas de Nutrición Infantil
Civil Rights Training Requirements
Customer Service and Handling Complaints in Child Nutrition Programs
Download a Sample Civil Rights Complaint Log
How to Handle a Complaint in Child Nutrition Programs
USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form
Eligibility Manual for School Meals – Determining and Verifying Eligibility
And Justice for All Posters
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
Civil Rights Compliance And Enforcement
Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination
NOTE: On January 1, 2023, sesame became the ninth major allergen that must be labeled in plain language on packaged foods in the U.S. Updates to this module are forthcoming.
Recognized by DESE and MDPH as an acceptable training required in the Allergen Awareness Act, M.G.L.c.140, § 6B.
1 CEU, Suggested Learning Code: 1160
Additional Resources:
Sesame Added as Major Allergen
Food Allergies & Intolerances – JSI Resource Center
The Food Allergy Book: What School Employees Need to Know – English
The Food Allergy Book: What School Employees Need to Know – Spanish
Special Dietary Needs – JSI Resource Center
Accommodating Children with Disabilities in the School Meal Programs – USDA-FNS
Managing Life-Threatening Allergies in School
These training materials have been created by The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Last updated September 2026