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.
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.
FNS is waiving the requirement that the state agency annually review a number of sponsors whose program reimbursements, in the aggregate, account for at least one-half of the total program reimbursements in the state in the previous year.
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 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.
This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites 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. This waiver extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – EXTENSION 3 – granted on Oct. 9, 2020, that expires on June 30, 2021 —through Sept. 30, 2021. This extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – EXTENSION 5 — granted on Oct. 9, 2020, that expires on June 30, 2021— through Sept. 30, 2021. This extension applies to the SFSP and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.