The purpose of this memorandum is to announce an additional $50 million in FY 2022 Equipment Assistance Grant funding above the $30 million announced in SP 14-2022. This additional funding, provided by ARPA, is being made available to state agencies in addition to the previously announced $30 million, to competitively award Equipment Assistance Subgrants to eligible SFAs participating in the NSLP.
This guidance outlines an additional $471.5 million being provided by FNS to enhance local school districts’ ability to purchase foods for school meals by offering resources needed to address supply chain challenges directly to schools and school districts.
Nationwide waiver of the summer sponsor application deadline and to allow reimbursement for meals served prior to notification of approval for summer 2022 operations.
The purpose of this memorandum is to distribute $30 million provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2022 to state agencies to competitively award Equipment Assistance Grants to eligible school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program. This memorandum and attachments provide guidance on the specific terms and conditions, funding goals, period of performance and timelines for these grants.
Pursuant to the authority in Section 2202 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and current national supply chain constraints due to COVID-19, FNS is granting a waiver of certain fiscal action requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. 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. FNS is also extending this flexibility to the NSLP Seamless Summer Option for the duration of this waiver.
Pursuant to Section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to allow school food authorities to claim National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option meals and snacks at the applicable Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rates in summer 2022. This waiver will ensure continuity of program operations and access to nutritious meals for program participants this summer.
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide funding allocation amounts for all state agencies for FY 2023; to provide information on funding requirements and deadlines; and to serve as a reminder of important program requirements.
USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.
This memorandum provides guidance to state agencies and school food authorities as they transition from COVID-19 nationwide waivers. This guidance applies to state agencies and school food authorities administering the NSLP and the SBP in SY 2022-23 and SY 2023-24.