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Resource | Federal Register Documents 2023 Pulse Survey: Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs

The Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs surveys, are designed to collect timely data on emerging school food service operational challenges, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions, food costs, and labor shortages, and/or related issues.

11/13/2023
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0109 State Guidance on Pandemic EBT

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.

11/03/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Clarification of Allowable Flexibilities for Child Nutrition Programs Experiencing Milk Supply Shortages

FNS is aware that schools in multiple states are experiencing milk supply chain challenges related to packaging issues. This memorandum provides state agencies with information about existing authority related to schools and other child nutrition program operators experiencing inadequate milk supply. FNS encourages state agencies to use this authority when needed to support program operators impacted by the current milk packaging challenges. 

SP 01-2024, CACFP 01-2024, SFSP 01-2024
10/26/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Final Rule: Child Nutrition Programs - CEP Increasing Options for Schools

This final rule amends the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) regulations by lowering the minimum identified student percentage (ISP) from 40 percent to 25 percent. 

09/26/2023
Resource | Policy Community Eligibility Provision: Implementing the New Minimum Identified Student Percentage

This guidance applies to state agencies and local educational agencies administering the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. This guidance provides information on the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision – Increasing Options for School.

SP 22-2023
09/26/2023
Resource | Policy Initial Implementation Memo: Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule

This memorandum provides initial implementation guidance for the Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule. This memorandum applies to state agencies administering and school food authorities, institutions and sponsors implementing the NSLP, SBP, CACFP, and SFSP.

08/23/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Final Rule: Child Nutrition Program Integrity

This action implements statutory requirements and policy improvements to strengthen administrative oversight and operational performance of the Child Nutrition Programs.

08/23/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FY 2023 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants for SFAs – Notice of Funding Availability

This Notice of Funding Availability announces the distribution of $30 million provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, to state agencies to competitively award Equipment Assistance Grants to eligible School Food Authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program.

SP18-2023
08/03/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Comment Request: Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk in Schools

FNS collects information for this collection, which contains both mandatory and required to obtain or retain benefit requirements, from state agencies, LEAs/SFAs, and households. The information collected from the state agencies and the LEAs/SFAs ensures that eligibility determinations are made, that applications are verified, that eligibility and other records are maintained, and that public notification is provided concerning the programs.

07/28/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Comment Request: National School Lunch Program

This ongoing information collection is required to administer and operate this program in accordance with the NSLA. The program is administered at the state agency and school food authority/local education agency levels and states, SFAs/LEAs, and schools under this Act are required to keep accounts and records as may be necessary to enable FNS to determine whether the program is in compliance with this Act and the regulations.

07/28/2023
Page updated: October 14, 2021