USDA Foods Processing Carry-Over Policy

The USDA Processing Carry-Over Policy has been updated and posted to the FDP Processing Diversion website. All unused pounds will now be swept to the state account at the end of each school year on June 30.

Updates to the School Standards

The following USDA Final Rule changes take effect July 1, 2025. Make plans now to implement these changes for next school year:

1. Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per ounce.
2. Yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of sugar per 6 ounces.
3. Flavored milk must contain no more than 10 grams of added sugars per 8 fluid ounces.
4. The SNP Afterschool Snack Program meal pattern will be aligned with the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) snack meal pattern requirements and:
   • No more than 50% of the weekly fruit/veg offered per week can be in the form of juice.
   • At least 80% of the weekly grains offered must be whole grain rich.
5. In addition to current licensed medical professionals, registered dietitians who have an established professional-patient relationship with the individual requesting the accommodation may sign special diet statements.
6. Additional Buy American requirements takes effect. Additional information was in the February 10, 2025 Nutrition Program Bulletin.

The following changes already took effect or were clarified as of July 1, 2024 and will not change in School Year 25–26:

1. 80% of the grains offered at breakfast and lunch must be whole grain rich.
2. Sodium levels remain at Target 1A.
3. At breakfast, grains and meat/meat alternates are in a combined category.
4. A substitution of vegetables for fruit at breakfast may come from any vegetable subgroups for the first time offered in a week. Any additional times that vegetables are offered per week must come from at least two different subgroups.
5. Nuts and seeds may credit for the full meat/meat alternate component.
6. Beans, peas or lentils offered as a meat/meat alternate at lunch can also count toward the weekly vegetable subgroup requirement, but not the daily vegetable portion requirement.
7. Plain potable water must be available in the places that lunch is served and at breakfast if served in the cafeteria.

For additional information, see Updates to the School Nutrition Standards.

Rise Leadership Training

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in collaboration with the School Nutrition Directors of Minnesota Group (SNDM) invites new and aspiring school nutrition directors, assistant directors, coordinators, and chefs to a Rise Leadership Training. Register for the May 6 event, which will be held in Victoria, Minnesota.

Non-Members should make checks payable to: Brenton Lexvold, SNDM Treasurer, 705 Mill Street, Zumbrota, MN 55992 (Work Phone: 507-732-1419).