The Monthly School Call webinars will be held via Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) instead of Zoom, beginning with the August 26, 2026, School Call. Use the QR Code above to register. Registration for the School Call in MS Teams is required each month and will be included in the monthly newsletters and eblast announcements.

The registration link for each month will also be available on:

• The SquareMeals homepage under "Quick Links"

• The Program Year Calendar page under the August table

• The NSLP Resources page on SquareMeals under the "Webinars" section towards the bottom of the page. 

Click here to register for the August 26 School Call. 

To learn more, please review the Transition Guide.

F&N Training Branding Transition
TDA F&N Training Materials will be transitioning to a new branding. Over the coming year, F&N training materials and related resources will gradually transition from the current F&N University Branding to a new Learning Institute Branding. During this period, you may see both brandings used across training documents, presentations, job aids, and other educational materials. This visual update does not affect the content, guidance, or processes referenced in these materials. Resources will be updated as they are revised or reissued.

TDA has created a new page on SquareMeals that contains archived complete Program handbooks dating back to Program Year 2023. These resources will allow Program operators in the appeal process to access the handbooks that were current for the review period in question. Note that archived handbooks are meant for informational use only - they must not be used to guide current program operation. Current handbooks are available on the applicable Program Policy/Handbook page.

The Appeals Resources page can be accessed from the left-side menu of each Program page or directly on this page.

TDA has revised the ARM to remove links to the Texas Comptroller’s Model Purchasing Manual for Texas Cities and Counties. This document is no longer available, and the URL is now managed by an entity other than the Comptroller. CEs are advised not to open the URL that remains on any previous version of the following sections:

• Section 15, Program Integrity
• Section 17a, Procurement Procedures

Please replace any previous versions of the above sections that you may have saved.

No other substantive updates were made to the ARM.

Pledge today and find resources like the Success Guide, coloring pages, word games, and more in the Resources section of the Farm Fresh Challenge page on Square Meals. Please use your pledge form to indicate days when you would like TDA to visit a site to observe your celebrations.

TDA has published Supplemental Guidance for School Nutrition Programs on the NSLP Policy/ARM page (see last entry on the table containing the Administrator's Reference Manual (ARM)). This document acts as a placeholder for policy guidance communicated between annual releases of the ARM.

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The 2026-2027 Administrative Review (AR) and Procurement Review (PR) schedule can be found on Squaremeals.org.

Attachment B Uploads opens in TX-UNPS on July 1, 2026, and closes on October 31, 2026.

Click here to view the full article.

School food authorities (SFAs) are responsible for ensuring that the information in the Application module in TX-UNPS is accurate and current.

SFAs should review and update and contact information, program participation details, and other data as changes occur.

It is crucial that the information is correct for the Administrative Review (AR) and Procurement Review (PR).

The Administrative Reviews (AR) and Procurement Reviews (PR)  for school food authorities (SFAs) contracting with food service management companies (FSMCs) started on July 1, 2026. The SFA should have received the initial off-site email, which includes a comprehensive guide to all scheduled conference calls and the due dates for uploading documents to TX-UNPS.

SFAs must update their Attachment B, Meal Count/Collection Procedures in TX-UNPS to include meal counting and collection procedures for points of service (POS) for all sites operating the programs. If meal counting is conducted outside of the POS (i.e., field trips, breakfast in the classroom), the SFA must describe the process in its Attachment B.

August’s important USDA Foods updates for schools include FFAVORS login, material shortfalls, and Squaremeals resources, along with ESC support.

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Great news! Our MegaCon Webinar Series was such a hit that we will continue to bring new sessions throughout the rest of the year! A few more MegaCon sessions are included in the lineup, but we'll add new content and information with steps you can use right away. We'll keep you actively involved from start to finish as we cover everything from your program’s financials to building training that sticks, all while you earn USDA Professional Standards Training hours without ever leaving the office.

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TDA has updated the Summer Rural Non-Congregate FAQs with a new Reporting section that applies to all rural non-congregate and hybrid sites this summer. Refer to the Summer Non-Congregate Feeding Program page on SquareMeals for the new FAQs and additional instructions related to required reporting.

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Program Year 2026-2027 meal reimbursement rates for the School Nutrition Programs, including the cash-in-value value of USDA Foods and NSLP Rate of Assistance, have been published on the NSLP reimbursement rate page on SquareMeals.