FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support schools unable to complete a triennial assessment of the local school wellness policies by June 30, 2021, due to school closures as a result of COVID–19. This waiver applies to state agencies that have local educational agencies administering the NSLP and/or SBP.
FNS is establishing a nationwide opt-in waiver to help minimize the impact of coronavirus related school closures on USDA Foods entitlement calculations.
This waiver allows food service management company contracts that may expire by or around June 30, 2021, and have not been extended for SY 2020-2021 to be extended through school year 2021-2022 (June 30, 2022). To ensure program integrity during this time, extended FSMC contracts are limited to one-year only.
Program operators in a state with an approved waiver allowing non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children for school year 2020-21. FNS recognizes that continuing to require children to come to the meal site to pick up meals may not be practical and in keeping with the goal of providing meals while also taking appropriate safety measures.
FNS is granting a nationwide waiver to allow state agencies to reimburse Summer Food Service Program sponsors for meals served prior to the sponsor receiving written notification that the sponsor or site has been approved for participation in the Program. FNS is also waiving the requirement for state agencies to conduct pre-approval visits of SFSP sponsors and sites.
During the public health emergency due to COVID-19, FNS waives, for all states, requirements that limit the use of Offer Versus Serve to school food authorities and require sponsors to apply OVS under the rules followed for the National School Lunch Program. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations operating SFSP.
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.
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.
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.