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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 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 | 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-2021-0085 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-2021-0071 Previously Issued Questions and Answers Relating to Operation of the Child Nutrition Programs: Updated for SY 2021-22

This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to child nutrition program operations during school year 2021-22. This memorandum provides updates to Q&As previously released in calendar year 2020 and applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating the NSLP, SBP, CACFP and the NSLP seamless summer option. 

SP16 CACFP14-2021
07/14/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0066 Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Program Operations in SY 2021-22

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. 

SP15 CACFP13 SFSP08-2021
06/11/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0065 Reimbursement for Meals and Snacks Served to Young Adults in the CACFP - Q&A's

This memorandum includes questions and answers to provide clarification to state agencies, emergency shelters, and emergency shelters that operate at-risk after school care centers regarding meals and snacks served to young adults in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

CACFP 12-2021
06/08/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0001 Q&As to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations SY 2020-21 #4

This memorandum provides clarification on additional questions related to the operation of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Seamless Summer Option, Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program during school year 2020-21. 

SP05 CACFP04 SFSP04-2021
01/05/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0171 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – Extension 5

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators in a state with an approved waiver allowing non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children. State agencies must have a plan for ensuring that program operators are able to maintain accountability and program integrity.  

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #62
10/09/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021