What is the purpose of the USDA Foods Database?  

The USDA Foods Database makes USDA Foods product information available in an easily accessible format. Providing this information to National School Lunch Program participants is a requirement in the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. USDA currently provides this information through USDA Foods Product Information Sheets.

The USDA Foods Database will inform the ordering decisions of FNS stakeholders and will help them manage menu planning, meet USDA meal pattern requirements and nutrition standards, and provide safe meals for students with food allergies and other special dietary needs.  

What are the benefits of the USDA Foods Database? 

The USDA Foods Database is beneficial for State Agencies, schools, and USDA Foods vendors.  

For State Agencies and schools, the USDA Foods Database will allow access to product information in one central location, making menu planning easier.   

For vendors, the USDA Foods Database will reduce the number of inquiries received from State agencies and schools about nutrition, allergen and ingredient information that is now available through the USDA Foods Database. 

What USDA Foods products are included in the USDA Foods Database?  

Direct delivered USDA Foods for Child Nutrition Programs found on the USDA Foods in Schools Foods Available List will be included in the USDA Foods Database.  

Certain items will not be included in the USDA Foods Database, such as fresh produce, bulk items for processing, processed end-products, and products specific to USDA Foods household programs (TEFAP, FDPIR and CSFP).  

Click this link for a full List of Required Products for the USDA Foods Database. 

What type of product information will be included in the USDA Foods Database? 

A variety of product information from vendors is provided including the USDA Foods material code, brand name, nutrition facts, serving size, allergen information, ingredients, and the kosher and halal certification, when applicable.

How will users access the USDA Foods Database? 

The USDA Foods Database will provide vendor-specific product information in a non-editable Excel spreadsheet on the FNS website. States and school districts will be able to access the USDA Foods Database at-will to use as a planning tool.  

How frequently will the USDA Foods Database be updated? 

The USDA Foods Database will be updated monthly and will include release notes to communicate what changes have been made since the last release. Previous versions of the USDA Foods Database will be archived and made available for documentation purposes. 

Does the USDA Foods Database contain information for all applicable USDA Foods products from all potential USDA Foods vendors? 

No, the USDA Foods Database does not currently contain information for all applicable USDA Foods products from all USDA Foods vendors.  

USDA Foods vendors are not required to report product information until 20 days after they are awarded a contract for applicable products (see the List of Required Products above). Vendors may voluntarily report product information prior to being awarded but are not required until after they are awarded a contract to supply products. Because contracts are awarded throughout the year, certain products and/or vendors may not be found in the USDA Foods Database at this time.  

Additionally, USDA is continuing to work with vendors who have reported product information to ensure their information is complete and accurate prior to including it in the USDA Foods Database.   

Thus, users can expect significant updates over the next year to include product information for additional products and from additional vendors. The List of Required Products includes a column that identifies which products are currently available in the USDA Foods Database. This column will be updated with each monthly release as more products are included. While these updates are made, the USDA Foods in Schools Product Information Sheets will still be available but will be phased out after the USDA Foods Database is more complete, likely by December 2023. 

Will the information included in the USDA Foods Database be acceptable documentation for Administrative Reviews?  

Yes, information from the USDA Foods Database is an acceptable form of documentation for Administrative Reviews. In the current Administrative Review Manual, supporting documentation can include USDA Foods Product Information Sheets. Once fully implemented, the USDA Foods Database will replace the USDA Foods Product Information Sheets.  

After this takes place, when the Administrative Review Manual is next updated, USDA Foods Product Information Sheets will be replaced with the USDA Foods Database as an acceptable form of documentation. Since the Administrative Review Manual only details examples of supporting documentation, documentation from the USDA Foods Database may be used prior to this update. 

Will instructions be provided on how to use the USDA Foods Database? 

Written instructions on how to navigate the USDA Foods Database are available on the FNS website and a webinar will be made available soon.