Smart Spending for School Nutrition Programs
School nutrition programs are in a very different place than they were just a few years ago. Many schools now have available funds within their meal programs, but the real challenge is using those funds strategically to create lasting improvements. The programs seeing the greatest success are not necessarily the ones with the largest budgets, but the ones making intentional investments that improve participation, strengthen operations, and support long-term sustainability.
To help schools navigate these decisions, we developed Smart Spending for School Nutrition Programs, a resource designed to help schools think more strategically about investments in equipment, service models, technology, and professional support. Beyond outlining what is allowable, the guide connects spending decisions back to broader program goals. At School Food & Wellness Group, we help schools turn strategy into action through procurement support, implementation guidance, and identifying high-impact opportunities that strengthen programs over time.
If you are starting to think about how to use your school nutrition funds more strategically, this guide is a great place to begin.
End-of-Year NSLP Closeout Handbook
The end of the school year is one of the busiest times for school nutrition programs. Between reimbursement claims, inventory, staffing transitions, documentation, kitchen shutdown procedures, and summer meal preparation, there are many operational and compliance tasks that must be completed before year-end. To support this process, we developed the End-of-Year Meal Program Closeout Guide, a resource designed to help teams stay organized, compliant, and prepared during the transition.
The handbook includes end-of-year timelines, financial closeout guidance, inventory and kitchen shutdown procedures, documentation and audit readiness support, staffing and operational wrap-up guidance, summer meals transition planning, and printable checklists for key operational areas. It also includes guidance tailored to self-prep programs, vended meal programs, and FSMC operations. While especially useful for schools working with SFWG, it is designed to support any program focused on strong compliance and a smooth year-end closeout.