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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 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-2021-0091 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-2021-0066 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-2021-0001 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
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0170 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – Extension 5

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators may provide non-congregate meals during COVID–19-related operations. This waiver extends the nationwide waiver to allow non-congregate feeding in the Summer Food Service Program granted on Aug. 31, 2020 that expires on Dec. 31, 2020. This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #61
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0169 Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 3

This waiver extends until June 30, 2021, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 2. It applies to state agencies administrating, and local organizations operating, the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #60
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos CN - Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 3

This waiver extends until June 30, 2021, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 2. It applies to state agencies administrating, and local organizations operating, the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0155 CN - Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children - Extension 4

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. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #55
08/31/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021