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Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Assessing/Improving Operations Results of USDA's FNS-Administered SFA Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation

​The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted school meal operations and has contributed to lasting supply chain issues affecting the cost and availability of food and labor. The School Food Authority Survey II on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation was administered to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain disruptions and the return to standard operations during SY 2022–23.

07/25/2023
Resource | Policy Pandemic EBT – Summer 2023

FNS is releasing new guidance today to assist states in the development of Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) plans for the summer of 2023. The guidance consists of a Q&A document and a summer P-EBT plan template.

02/16/2023
Resource | FAQs/Q&As | FNS-GD-2007-0022 Questions and Answers on Alternate Protein Products

The term "Alternate Protein Product" is the name used by FNS to identify products meeting requirements set forth in Appendix A of the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and the CACFP within the section entitled Alternate Protein Products.

10/04/2022
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0109 State Guidance on Coronavirus P-EBT in Schools

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.

06/17/2022
Resource | Policy Memos Questions and Answers Regarding the 2022 Infant Formula Shortage in the CACFP

The ongoing infant formula shortage due to supply chain issues, which worsened due to a major formula recall in February 2022, has left many CACFP operators concerned about access to formula and their options for safely feeding infants in their care.  

 

CACFP 10-2022
06/17/2022
Resource | Policy Memos Meal Requirements Under the NSLP & SBP: Q&A for Program Operators Updated to Support the Transitional Standards Effective July 1, 2022

These questions and answers provide guidance for recently published transitional standards for milk, whole grains and sodium.

SP 05-2022
03/02/2022
Resource | FAQs/Q&As P-EBT Assistance for Children in Schools School Year 2021-22

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

01/21/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study

This study is the first nationally representative, comprehensive assessment of the school meal programs since the updated nutrition standards for school meals were phased in beginning School Year 2012-2013. A study methodology report that describes the study design, sampling and data collection and a summary report that provides a brief overview of the study and key findings from the various reports are also available.

10/19/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0105 Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Program Operations in SY 2021-22, Q&A #2

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators as they operate the child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, NSLP Seamless Summer Option and Child and Adult Care Food Program, during SY 2021-22.

SP 22-2021, CACFP 17-2021, SFSP 10-2021
09/29/2021
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
Page updated: October 14, 2021