Zee Zees Blog

SY 25/26 Meal Pattern Updates: What You Need to Know

Written by Zee Zee's | Jul 2, 2025 12:35:51 PM

Are You Ready For SY 25/26?

Here’s Your Quick Guide to USDA’s Meal Pattern Changes

USDA’s latest meal pattern updates are here and Zee Zees brings the flavor and the solutions.

We’re digging into:

✔️ What’s changing
✔️ What it means
✔️ How Zee Zees is serving up smart, compliant solutions


Added Sugar: The New Limits Are Here

Biggest change? For the first time, USDA is setting hard limits on added sugars.

Here’s What to Know:

Rule Timing Applies To
Category-specific limits SY 2025–26 Yogurt, cereal, flavored milk
Weekly calorie limits
(<10% from added sugar)		 SY 2027–28 Breakfast + lunch averages


How Zee Zees Helps You Stay Compliant:

  • Shelf-Stable Yogurt: ≤2g added sugar per oz
  • No Added Sugar Applesauce: Future-proof
  • Meets school meal standards - Should we link to our program guide?
  • Kid-approved flavors

Sodium Targets: Already Met (and Staying Ahead)

Current Sodium Limits by Grade Group:

Meal Sodium Target
Breakfast <935 mg – <1,080 mg
Lunch <1,110 mg – <1,280 mg


Good News:
✔️ Every single Zee Zees product already meets these targets
✔️ We’re ready for future sodium reductions in SY 2027–28 too


New NSLP Snack Rules? We’re In

Starting in SY 2025–26, NSLP afterschool snacks will align with CACFP. That means more clarity for menu planners, dietitians, and foodservice teams. Here’s how Zee Zees makes it easy:

What’s Changing Zee Zees Solution
2 of 5 snack components needed Zee Zees No Nut Butter + Crackers = perfect pair
¾ cup fruit = full fruit component Our ¾ cup Mixed Fruit Cup meets the full fruit requirement
At least 80% of grains must be whole-grain rich All Zee Zees grains are whole-grain rich
Grain Based Desserts no longer credit Graham Crackers & Crackers provide compliant, kid-friendly options
Added sugar limits on yogurt and cereal Zee Zees Shelf-Stable Yogurt meets added-sugar guidelines – no refrigeration needed


What Districts Are Doing and How Zee Zees Supports Them

Districts across the country are:

  • Rebalancing menus to diversify sourcing
  • Swapping syrupy sides for Zee Zees Yogurt or Fruit to cut added sugar
  • Partnering with vendors (like us!) who provide ready-to-go solutions

How We Make It Easier for You:

  • Ready-to-go documentation
  • Items that are kid-loved and labor-saving
  • Ongoing product innovation that keeps programs fresh and compliant
Zee Zees Go-To Products For SY 2025-26
Product Why It Works
Applesauce Cups Buy American compliant, no added sugar, 100% Vitamin C daily needs, kid-favorite, saves labor
Raisins Buy American compliant, fun flavors, Top 9 allergen-free, vegan, kosher, gluten-free
Domestic Fruit Cups Buy American compliant, in 100% juice, variety of fruit, 100% Vitamin C daily needs, saves labor
Mandarin Oranges FAR-listed, no documentation needed, whole fruit
Diced Pineapple FAR-listed, no documentation needed, tropical variety, labor saver
Shelf-Stable Yogurt Buy American compliant, meets sugar limits, shelf-stable, food waste reduction, field-trip ready
Fava Bean Crisps, Roasted Chickpeas, Trail Mix Buy American compliant, plant-based protein, meets sodium targets
No-Nut Butter Buy American compliant, low-sodium, 9g protein, allergen-safe
Crackers, Graham Crackers & Soft-Baked Bars Buy American compliant, whole grain, portable and popular


Final Bite

You don’t have to tackle SY 2025–26 alone.

Zee Zees offers creative, compliant, and kid-approved solutions for your school’s nutrition needs.

Want help with special diets, commodity processing, delivery schedules, or documentation? Contact our food experts today!

More information: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. (2024). School Nutrition Standards Updates. Retrieved from https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/school-nutrition-standards-updates


Related Topic

Looking for more details on the new Buy American rule? Check out Our Blog breaking down what’s changed and how it affects your menus.
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