Our Planning & Evidence Methodology
Show the Source. Surface the Uncertainty.
CreateMeals is designed to keep source records, planning checks, and unresolved questions distinct. Your sponsor or state agency still makes final program decisions.
Core Principles
The goal is to make the evidence behind a planning status easier to review. Missing, stale, or inapplicable documentation should remain a follow-up item.
Source-Linked Planning
Planning guidance should link to the applicable Food Buying Guide entry, regulation, policy memo, or product document when that source is available.
Surface Uncertainty
When sources conflict or documentation is missing, the item should remain marked for review instead of being presented as program approval.
Audit Trail
Source links and entered values help you retrace a planning check. Coverage varies, so confirm the original source before relying on an output.
Consistent Check Logic
The same configured rule should produce the same planning result for the same inputs, while sponsor and state-specific requirements remain separate.
“Free planning tools should make their sources and limits clear so programs can review the evidence themselves.”
Data Trust Hierarchy
Different records carry different evidentiary weight. This hierarchy explains how sources should be presented and when additional verification is required.
| Level | Source Type | Example | How We Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - Official Reference | USDA Guidance and Regulations | Food Buying Guide, 7 CFR 226, FNS memos | Federal baseline; confirm applicability and current state or sponsor instructions |
| 2 - Product Evidence | Manufacturer Documentation | Valid CN labels, current signed PFS | Review the exact product, document completeness, and program acceptance |
| 3 - Reference Data | Product and Nutrition Datasets | USDA FDC/CNDB or other product records | Useful for lookup; not proof of meal-pattern creditability |
| 4 - Entered or Derived | User Data and Calculations | Recipes, portions, yields, planning estimates | Requires source review and independent verification |
What Our Statuses Mean
Planning statuses summarize configured checks on entered data. They are not compliance certifications. Use these interpretations when reviewing a status:
Configured Check Passed
The entered data did not trigger a gap in the configured check. Product evidence, state rules, service records, and other requirements may still need review.
Needs Source Review
Documentation is missing, stale, ambiguous, or may depend on state or sponsor instructions. Review the cited source and resolve the item outside the status alone.
Configured Gap Found
The entered data triggered a configured component, portion, or documentation rule. Correct the underlying data if appropriate and independently verify the final menu.
Our Authoritative Sources
CreateMeals links to official USDA sources in planning guidance where available:
When a source is linked, compare the planning output with the original guidance. If you ever find a discrepancy, let us know — we want to get it right.
Ready to See It in Action?
Create a free planning account to review source-linked checks and keep unresolved documentation visible in your workflow.
Create a Free Planning Account