FNS is revising the regulations governing procedures related to the procurement of goods and services in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Special Milk Program to remedy deficiencies identified in audits and program reviews.
For your information, the updated national average daily attendance factor for use during Coordinated Review for School Year 2007-2008 is 93.5 percent.
Please note that on May 14, 2007, FNS issued the attached Federal Register notice announcing a correction in the national average value of donated foods or, where applicable, cash in lieu of donated foods for school year 2007, which began on July 1, 2006 and runs through June 30, 2007.
This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the "national average payments,'' the amount of money the federal government provides states for lunches, afterschool snacks and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the "maximum reimbursement rates,'' the maximum per lunch rate from federal funds that a state can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution which participates in the Special Milk Program for Children.
The increasing prevalence of electronic systems of records and claiming is an encouraging step toward streamlining recordkeeping and reporting requirements. However, it is important to ensure that implementing an electronic system does not create a barrier to participation.
As a result of the activities being taken to plan a government-wide response to a potential outbreak of pandemic disease, we have received questions regarding the child nutrition programs operation during such an event.
We have received numerous questions regarding the electronic transfer of information in the administration of state-administered federal programs. This memo updates the Oct. 2, 2001 policy memo regarding electronic transactions in child nutrition programs.
In an effort to provide administrative relief to state agencies and Summer Food Service Program sponsoring organizations, we are extending to the SFSP a provision of the CACFP that allows state agencies and institutions to rely upon a determination of area eligibility for up to five years when based on National School Lunch Program data.
It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion concerning fluid milk, and how it is offered in reimbursable lunches. Under all menu planning approaches, fluid milk is a separate food component/menu item.
In accordance with the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, state or Area Agencies on Aging and Indian Tribal Organizations and their selected grantees may use funds received in the Nutrition Services Incentive Program to pay school food authorities participating in school meals programs to make food purchases.