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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance CEP Planning and Implementation Guidance

A final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Community Eligibility Provision-Increasing Options for Schools (88 FR 65778), was published on Sept. 26, 2023, with an effective date of Oct. 26, 2023, that established the 25 percent minimum ISP threshold.  As a result, more students, households, and schools have the opportunity to experience CEP’s benefits, such as increasing access to school meals at no cost, eliminating unpaid meal charges, minimizing stigma, and streamlining meal service operations.

02/12/2024
Resource | Policy Memos Revised: Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the School Meal Programs, CACFP, and SFSP

This memorandum provides updated guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and extends previous guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products to the Summer Food Service Program, as well as to the infant meal pattern in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

SP 02-2024, CACFP 02-2024, SFSP 02-2024
11/29/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Procuring Local Meat, Poultry, Game and Eggs for Child Nutrition Programs

Recently, FNS has received a number of questions related to buying local meat, poultry, game, and eggs; this memorandum seeks to clarify the regulatory requirements related to food safety and answer specific questions related to these products with a series of questions and answers.

SP 01,CACFP 01, SFSP 01-2016
11/20/2023
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 | FNS-GD-2020-0150 Questions and Answers for the Child Nutrition Programs during SY 2020-21 – #5

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators as they transition to the upcoming school year. 

SP24 CACFP13 SFSP13-2020
08/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0136 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension 5

Pursuant to Section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency,  FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #38
07/30/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0086 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility - Extension 3

Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #26
06/08/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0074 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility - Extension 2

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). This extension of Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the child nutrition programs, issued March 25, 2020, applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. This waiver remains in effect until June 30, 2020.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #24
05/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0047 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility - Extension

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.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #13
04/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0085 Federal Micro-Purchase and Simplified Acquisition Thresholds

This memorandum, SP20 CACFP07 SFSP06-2019, notifies all child nutrition program state agencies and program operators of guidance the Food and Nutrition Service received from the Office of Management and Budget, OMB M-18-18, authorizing increases to the value of the micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds.

SP20 CACFP07 SFSP06-2019
10/30/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021