The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a Civil Rights statement for use in its various programs. The purpose of the Civil Rights statement is to inform applicants, participants and potentially eligible persons of the policy of nondiscrimination and the procedure for filing a Civil Rights complaint to the USDA.

Sponsors are required to include the nondiscrimination statement on publications, websites, posters and informational materials mentioning USDA programs.

The standard/full Civil Rights statement must be used wherever possible.

If the material is too small to permit the full statement to be included, the condensed Civil Rights statement may be used. The material must, at a minimum, include the Civil Rights statement in print size no smaller than the text used throughout the document.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Check your center’s or agency’s publications, website, posters and informational materials for a nondiscrimination statement.

If the nondiscrimination statement is missing on a publication, include this updated nondiscrimination statement the next time these publications are revised and reprinted. Print copies of this statement and attach to the current supply of publications until the next revision and reprinting.

Contact the Minnesota Department of Education-Food and Nutrition Service at 651-582-8526 or 1-800-366-8922 if you have further questions regarding compliance with this Civil Rights requirement.