Prepare with the basic steps to get started as a director in School Nutrition Programs.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Security Portal's Nutrition School Lunch platform
Public schools: request access through the district's Directory Administrator.
Private schools and Residential Child Care Institutions: Only users that are listed in the Authorized Signatures of a sponsor application and have a permission level of "submit" can request to add a new or delete an existing user. The district must add your name to authorized signatures in the National School Lunch Program NSLP application, then request access using this link: Executive Office of Education EOE Request Form - Executive Office of Education EOE Customer Portal.
Request a Full Access/Role for United States Department of Agriculture USDA Foods on the Security Portal. Request from your District Administrator.
The Virtual Gateway for access to Direct Certification & Direct Verification.
Fill out the School Nutrition Program (SNP) User Request Form (URF). Be sure to fill out the form completely. Incomplete forms will be returned, causing delays in access. When complete, have a district Access Administrator for the Virtual Gateway forward the form to NutritionURF@mass.gov . Only URF's submitted by Virtual Gateway Access Administrators will be processed.
Your Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE consultant. Refer to the bottom of your District Application to identify your Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE consultant. Contact your Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE consultant and introduce yourself.
Sign up for Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE's Fueling the Commonwealth's newsletter.
Register for Massachusetts MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Town Hall.
Register for Office Hours for School Meal Program Operators.
Sign up for John C. Stalker Institute (JSI) newsletter.
Sign up for Massachusetts Farm to School's newsletter.
Sign upfor food safety notifications through United States Department of Agriculture USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE Office for Food and Nutrition
School Wellness Initiative for Thriving Community Health SWITCH School Wellness
Office for Food and Nutrition Programs Staff Contact List
Document and Reference Library. Once you gain access to the Security Portal, you will be able to access the Document and Reference Library. This is where you will find required forms, guidance manuals, slides from town halls, etc.
John C. Stalker Institute JSI website
Massachusetts Farm to School Harvest of the Month
Last Updated: August 6, 2026