FNS Documents & Resources

In response to the COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA established a nationwide waiver of congregate feeding requirements to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). This waiver applies to the NSLP, SBP, CACFP and SFSP. This waiver remains in effect until Aug. 31, 2020.

This memorandum and attachments provide guidance on the specific terms and conditions, funding goals, period of performance and timelines for grants to distribute $30 million provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2020 to state agencies to competitively award Equipment Assistance Grants to eligible school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Consistent with the CARES Act, USDA will be allocating the $50 million for facility improvements and equipment upgrades to Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer FDPIR for program costs allowable under the law.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act  provides $450 million in supplemental funding for TEFAP for FY 2020, with up to $150 million of the supplemental funding is available as administrative funds and the remaining amount will be made available as food funds. 

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This extension  applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.

Congress provides that only school food authorities that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of Dec. 31, 2019, shall be required to establish prices for paid lunches according to the Paid Lunch Equity provisions in the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, and implemented in National School Lunch Program regulations.

School food authorities participating in the School Breakfast Program may continue to credit any vegetable offered, including potatoes and other starchy vegetables, in place of fruit without including vegetables from other subgroups in the weekly menus, through June 30, 2021.

This Q&A memorandum is designed to provide an overview of the policies related to the Professional Standards regulations for state and local school nutrition program personnel. 

The purpose of this memo is to revise obligation and liquidation deadlines for the Fiscal Year 2019 Trade Mitigation Program ERA Operational Funds, which were provided for phases 2-4 of the FY 2019 Trade Mitigation Food Purchase and Distribution Program, now referred to as the Food Purchase Distribution Program (FPDP).

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide updated guidance on the child nutrition program flexibilities available during unanticipated school closures. Schools may face unanticipated closures due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the state agency, a similar cause.