School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Exam Study Guide Resources

Menu and Nutrition Management (17 Percent of Exam)

• 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans[ ]
• Child Care Meal Pattern[ ] (USDA)
• Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements[ ]
• Energize Your Day with School Breakfast Tool Kit (USDA)
• Final Rule — Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs [ 376 kB ] (USDA)
• Food Allergy Fact Sheet
• Healthier Middle Schools: Everyone Can Help (USDA)
• Meal Pattern Training Resources (Institute of Child Nutrition)
• More Choices For You. More Options for Them [ 6 MB ] (USDA Foods)
• Whole-Grain Resource for the NSLP & SBP

Facilities, Technology and Equipment Management (5 Percent of Exam)

• Equipment Purchasing and Facility Design for School Nutrition Programs [ 2.1 MB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Procurement in the 21st Century [ 938.1 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)

Food Production and Operation Management (15 Percent of Exam)

• Basics at a Glance [ 222.4 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Communications Skills for Managers (pdf) [ 131.6 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Communications Skills for Managers (ppt) [ 456.2 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
• USDA Foods Processing 101 (Institute of Child Nutrition)

Procurement and Inventory Management (5.5 Percent of Exam)

• Equipment Purchasing and Facility Design — Chapter 7 [ 401.7 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Inventory Management and Tracking Reference Guide [ 1.7 MB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)

Food Security, Sanitation and Safety (14.5 Percent of Exam)

• Developing a Food Safety Program Participant Workbook [ 1.8 MB ] (USDA)
• Emergency Readiness Plan — A Guide for the School Foodservice Operation [ 411.8 kB ] (USDA)
• Employee Health and Personal Hygiene for School Nutrition Managers and Directors [ 2.4 MB ] (USDA)
• Everyone Plays a P.A.R.T. — Norovirus Control in Child Care Facilities [ 5.5 MB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Using Equipment Safely and Efficiently [ 1.3 MB ]

Financial Management (16 Percent of Exam)

• Financial Management — A Course for School Nutrition Directors 2nd Edition (Institute of Child Nutrition)
• Indirect Cost Guidance [ 1 MB ] (USDA)
• Paid Lunch Equity  [ 148 kB ]

Human Resources Management (10 Percent of Exam)

• Competency-Based Performance Appraisals for School Nutrition Managers and Assistants or Technicians [ 1.2 MB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Creating a Motivating Workplace [ 106 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace [ 181.6 kB ] (National Food Service Management Institute)
• Professional Standards for State and Local School Nutrition Programs as Required by the HHFKA of 2010 [ 321.6 kB ]
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Program Management and Accountability (10 Percent of Exam)

• SP 60-2016 — Indirect Cost Guideline [ 58.1 kB ] (USDA)
• SP 11-2014 Effective Date of Free or Reduced Price Meal Eligibility [ 40.7 kB ]
• Eligibility Manual for School Meals — Determining and Verifying Eligibility [ 947.3 kB ] (USDA)
• Fair Labor Standards of 1938, as Amended [ 14.3 MB ] (U.S. Department of Labor)
• Federal Regulations 7 CFR Part 210 (USDA)
• Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (USDA)
• Offer Versus Serve[ ] (USDA)
• Orientation to School Nutrition Management (Institute of Child Nutrition)
• School Meal Policy Updates (USDA)
• School Meal Regulations (USDA)
• Whole-Grain Resources for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program [ 5.1 MB ] (USDA)

• About School Meals (School Nutrition Association)
• Norovirus for Schools (Institute of Child Nutrition)
• Smarter Lunchrooms Movement
• Social School Lunch — A How-to Guide on Social Media for School Nutrition Programs [ 2.3 MB ] (School Nutrition Association)
• USDA MyPlate