This memorandum provides follow up information to my letter dated July 1, 2004, sent to the SFSP director of each state agency that is eligible to participate in the Simplified Summer Food Program beginning Jan. 1, 2005.
Eating whole grain products has long been advocated by health and nutrition experts. We encourage school food authorities to inquire about the availability of whole grain products when developing product specifications and making their procurement plans next year.
Regarding awarding contracts, state agencies are advised to carefully review school district to ensure they are in compliance with federal regulations and take appropriate actions.
As described in our Reauthorization Implementation Memo SP 4, Categorical Eligibility for Free Lunches and Breakfasts of Runaway, Homeless, and Migrant Youth, runaway youth served through grant programs established under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act are now categorically eligible for free meals in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Section 102 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by removing the requirement that schools participating in the National School Lunch Program offer students a variety of fluid milk consistent with prior year preferences.
This memorandum is in response to questions raised by the Connecticut state agency.
In accordance with FDPIR regulations at 7 CFR 253.6(b), Native Hawaiian households that move to the mainland and live in an approved service area near the reservation, or in Oklahoma, must contain at least one household member who is recognized as a member of an Indian tribe to be eligible to participate in FDPIR.
Many employers provide flexible benefit packages that give employees choice and control over employer-provided benefits. These flexible benefit packages are also referred to as “cafeteria plans,” because employees choose among two or more benefits.
Military reservists who are called to active duty may be absent from the home for an extended period of time. A reservist who is not living at home, but is residing elsewhere with his/her military unit, would not be considered a part of his/her household for FDPIR purposes.
Effective July 1, 2004, school officials verifying income eligibility for free and reduced price meals must allow households to provide documentation of income for any point in time between the month prior to application and the time the household is required to provide income documentation.