Policy Memo (147.00 KB)
| DATE: | Nov. 14, 2018 | |
| POLICY MEMO: | SP 03-2019 | |
| SUBJECT: | National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Questions and Answers for Charter Schools | |
| TO: | Regional Directors Special Nutrition Programs All Regions |
State Directors Child Nutrition Programs All States |
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) along with other child nutrition programs (CNPs) administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) make it possible for schools to serve wholesome and appealing meals to students each day.
FNS recognizes the importance of providing the necessary technical assistance to all schools eligible to participate in the CNPs so that all students have access to school meals that contribute to their physical and mental well-being. To assist in this effort, FNS is providing updated Question and Answers (Q&As) to address questions we have received from charter schools. This memorandum supersedes SP 07-2008: Charter School Involvement in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Jan. 15, 2008.
Charter schools have cited challenges to participating in the CNPs including a lack of equipment, limited access to kitchen and cafeteria facilities, and the inability to establish reliable administrative systems to receive reimbursements for eligible students. However, these challenges should not prohibit charter schools from offering school meals to students through the CNPs. Federal, state, and local administrators should encourage charter schools to leverage the federal funding available to support school-based CNPs.
Since charter schools are held to the same standards for operating CNPs as traditional public or non-profit private schools, this memorandum does not contain any new CNP policies. Program operators can use the Q&As as an additional resource to assist charter schools and non-profit private, rural, or small schools that have similar questions to operate successful CNPs. These schools are encouraged to find comprehensive information about the child nutrition programs on the FNS website and in the Eligibility Manual for School Meals.
State agencies are reminded to distribute this memorandum to program operators. Program operators should direct any questions concerning this guidance to their state agency. State agencies with questions should contact the appropriate FNS regional office.
Angela Kline
Director
Policy and Program Development Division