This manual contains information on federal policy regarding meal-pattern requirements for school-nutrition programs. It also describes the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) provision, which allows students to decline either one or two food items they do not intend to eat in order to reduce food waste. The manual explains food components, gives examples of menus, and contains exercises to test food-service employee knowledge. Part 1 explains the meal-pattern requirements in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Part 2 discusses OVS in the NSLP, and part 3 explains meal-pattern requirements in the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Parts 4 and 5 discuss the OVS provision and details for implementation. Exercises and quizzes are designed to enhance working knowledge of the guidelines. The final part includes a glossary of terms, a history of meal patterns, answers to the exercises, and meal-pattern charts. (Contains 13 references.) (LMI)