FNS Documents & Resources

FNS waives, for all states, the requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements during school year 2020-21. This waiver revises the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension #4 granted on June 25, 2020, for all programs except the Summer Food Service Program. This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

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.

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) for school year 2020-21. 

FNS is extending of four previous nationwide waivers of onsite monitoring requirements in the school meals programs, Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program and announced one new nationwide waiver of onsite monitoring requirements for sponsors in CACFP. 

This waiver allows for offsite monitoring in addition to the flexibilities provided for sponsors in the extension of COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response #27: Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the CACFP, issued June 8, 2020 and effective through Aug. 31, 2020. This waiver is effective immediately, and remains in effect through Sept. 30, 2021.

This extension of Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the CACFP – Extension, issued on June 8, 2020 to waive the requirements until Aug. 31, 2020 applies to the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This waiver is effective immediately, and remains in effect through Sept. 30, 2021.

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 CACFP or the NSLP.  

Under program regulations, child nutrition program meals must follow meal service time requirements. However, FNS recognizes that for school year 2020-21, waiving the meal service time requirements will support safer access to nutritious meals.  

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension 3, granted on June 8, 2020, that expires July 31, 2020. This waiver extension applies to the NSLP, School Breakfast Program, and CACFP for school year 2020-21. As provided for in the June 8 extension, the waiver for the Summer Food Service Program remains in effect until July 31, 2020.

Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).