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Resource | Policy Memos Child Nutrition Waiver Update to Address Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures and Supply Chain Issues

This memo announces a new set of child nutrition program waivers for school year 2021-2022. Since March 2020, USDA has worked to ensure state agencies, schools and other community partners have the tools they need to maintain children’s access to nutritious meals during COVID-19.

09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0101 Nationwide Waiver for Selected Child Nutrition Program Reporting Requirements

This waiver cancels selected administrative data reporting requirements in the child nutrition programs, specifically the following: FNS-640 Administrative Review Report Form; FNS-828 School Food Authority Paid Lunch Price Report; FNS-874 Local Educational Agency Second Review of Applications; Ameliorative Action Plans for Verification Results; State Agency Food Safety Inspections Report; and Performance-Based Reimbursement (7 Cents) Quarterly Report.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #106
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0100 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Service of Meals at School Sites during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may serve meals at school sites during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-22.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #105
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0099 Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, service institutions operating the Summer Food Service Program in states, whose agencies elect to be subject to this waiver, may operate open sites in areas that are not located in “Areas in which poor economic conditions exist” during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-2022.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #104
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0102 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals Served by Service Institutions through the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver, and that elected to allow non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations via COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #101, may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children during an unanticipated school closure in school year 2021-22. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #103
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0098 Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may serve meals outside of the standard meal times during unanticipated school closures in SY 2021-22.  This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and service institutions operating, the Summer Food Service Program. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #102
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0097 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program service institutions in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may provide non-congregate meals during COVID–19 operations during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-22.  This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and service institutions operating, SFSP.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #101
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0094 Waiver to Allow Fiscal Action Flexibility for Meal Pattern Violations Related to COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruptions Impacting School Meals in SY 2021-22

FNS is granting a waiver of certain fiscal action requirements in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. This waiver is available for any state where there is a supply chain disruption with respect to foods served under such a qualified program and such disruption is due to COVID–19.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #100
09/15/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0063 Nationwide Waiver to Provide Flexibility for School Meal Programs Administrative Reviews of SFAs Operating Only the SSO in SY 2021-22

This waiver facilitates state agencies abilities to conduct a school meal programs administrative review when a school food authority is only operating the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option in SY 2021-22.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #97
05/24/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0178 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension 5

FNS waives, for all states, the requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements during school year 2020-21. This waiver revises the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension #4 granted on June 25, 2020, for all programs except the Summer Food Service Program. This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #70
10/09/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021