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Resource | Policy Memos Nationwide Waivers of Child Nutrition Monitoring

FNS has used its authority under FFRCA to waive certain onsite monitoring requirements for the school meals programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, so that programs can to maintain program integrity and support social distancing while providing meals. 

11/12/2021
Resource | Policy FFCRA Opt-In Waiver for SY 2021-22 National School Lunch Program USDA Foods Entitlement Calculations

FNS is establishing a nationwide opt-in waiver to help minimize the impact of coronavirus related school closures on USDA Foods entitlement calculations.

01/15/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0175 Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION 2

FNS waives, for all states that elect to be subject to this waiver, the meal service time requirements allowing meals served outside of the standard meal times. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations operating the: Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #66
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0174 Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the SFSP - Extension 2

FNS waives, for all states, the requirement that Summer Food Service Program sponsors are required to visit each of their sites at least once during the first week of operation. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations that have operated the SFSP successfully in the previous year, and SFSP sponsors in good standing that have successfully participated in the Child and Adult Care Food Program  or the National School Lunch Program.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #65
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0173 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – Extension 2

Under this waiver, for all states, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option closed enrolled sites during the COVID-19 public health emergency may determine site eligibility through area eligibility without collecting income eligibility applications.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #64
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0172 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option - Extension 8

FNS waives, for all states, the requirements to serve SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option meals that meet the meal pattern requirements during the public health emergency due to COVID–19. This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Summer Food Service Program – Extension 7, granted on Aug. 31, 2020, that expires on Dec. 31, 2020.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #63
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0074 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility - Extension 2

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). This extension of Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the child nutrition programs, issued March 25, 2020, applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. This waiver remains in effect until June 30, 2020.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #24
05/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0047 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility - Extension

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This extension  applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #13
04/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-1996-0014 PL 104-193: Changes to Applications for Waivers in the Child Nutrition Programs

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 made a number of changes to the National School Lunch Act which governs the waiver process in the child nutrition programs. This memorandum identifies the changes and provides guidance to be used in developing and submitting waiver requests to the child nutrition division. 

12/02/1996
Page updated: October 14, 2021