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Resource | Policy Memos Rural Designations in the Summer Meal Programs - Revised

The purpose of this memorandum is to revise guidance on rural designations in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option (SSO). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized a permanent non-congregate meal service option through the SFSP and SSO for children who live in rural communities with no congregate meal service. This memorandum supersedes SFSP policy memorandum SFSP 17-2015, Rural Designations in the Summer Food Service Program – Revised, April 21, 2017.

SFSP 04-2024, SP 06-2024
03/06/2023
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 Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0093 Pandemic EBT – State Plans for 2021-22

This document provides information to states to assist in the development of state plans to operate Pandemic EBT for school children and children in child care.

08/26/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0085 Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs: Q&As #3

This memorandum applies to state agencies administering the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. This document details further instructions and administrative procedures for participation in the reimbursement program established in Sec. 722 of the Act, which makes funding available via state agencies to program operators for the purposes of covering emergency operating costs incurred during the public health emergency

SP20 CACFP16-2021
08/11/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0091 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2021-22 during COVID-19

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during implementation of alternative child nutrition program operations throughout school year 2021-22 due to the continued novel coronavirus public health emergency.

SP19-2021
08/09/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0061 Department of Education Information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Households with a child  approved to receive free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year are eligible for the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit. EBB is a federal program to help eligible families pay for internet service during the pandemic.

SP 12-2021
05/19/2021
Resource | Policy Memos CN COVID-19 Non-congregate Feeding Nationwide Waiver

In response to the COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA is establishing a nationwide waiver of congregate feeding requirements to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to COVID–19. This waiver 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 #2
03/20/2021
Resource | Waivers CN - SFSP Application Notification Waiver
02/19/2021
Resource | Policy Memos CN - SFSP Monitoring Waiver

Due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA is establishing a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.

12/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0185 P-EBT Assistance for Children in Schools that are Closed or have Reduced Attendance

This document provides information to states to assist in the development of state plans to operate Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) for school children during school year 2020-21.

11/16/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021