FNS Documents & Resources

USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve our program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants.

This letter is in response to correspondence from WIC state agencies requesting flexibility with regard to the maximum monthly allowance (MMA) requirements in WIC as a result of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula on the nationwide supply chain leading to both periodic location and product-based WIC infant formula shortages.

This letter is in response to correspondence from WIC state agencies using offline Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) technology or paper food instruments, and requesting program flexibility from the WIC program federal requirements as a result of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula, exempt infant formula, and WIC-eligible nutritionals on the nationwide supply chain leading to both periodic location- and product-based WIC infant formula and exempt infant formula shortages.

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. 

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.

This memorandum provides Q&As related to the nationwide waivers released for school year 2021-22 and applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option. 

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver of First Week Site Visits in the Summer Food Service Program – EXTENSION 2 – granted on Oct. 9, 2020, that expires on June 30, 2021– through Sept. 30, 2021. This waiver extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program.

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Feeding in the Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option granted on Oct. 9, 2020, that expires on June 30, 2021—through Sept. 30, 2021.

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program – EXTENSION 2 - granted on Oct. 9, 2020, that expires on June 30, 2021– through Sept. 30, 2021.

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option - EXTENSION 2– granted on Oct. 9, 2020, that expires on June 30, 2021 – through Sept. 30, 2021.