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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2017-0024 Revised Prototype Free and Reduced Price Application for SY 2017-2018

Attached to this memorandum, please find a revised edition of the Prototype Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals, with an accompanying instructions document. These materials may be adapted for direct use by state and local agencies, or as a reference for designing an effective application packet that meets all statutory and regulatory requirements. 

SP28-2017
05/11/2023
Resource | Infographics The Road Ahead: Taking School Meals to the Next Level

USDA and the Biden Administration are committed to supporting nutrition security – consistent access to nutritious foods that promote good health – through the federal nutrition assistance programs. School nutrition professionals have made incredible strides in strengthening child nutrition over the past decade; research shows school meals are the healthiest meals children eat in a day! 

02/03/2023
Resource | Fact Sheets Estimated Amount USDA Provided to School Districts to Support Pandemic Operations and Supply Chain Challenges

Estimated amount of funding USDA provided to school districts to support pandemic operations and supply chain challenges.

01/06/2022
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 Child Nutrition Waiver Update to Address Meal Service During Unanticipated School Closures and Supply Chain Issues

This memo announces a new set of child nutrition program waivers for school year 2021-2022. Since March 2020, USDA has worked to ensure state agencies, schools and other community partners have the tools they need to maintain children’s access to nutritious meals during COVID-19.

09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0101 Nationwide Waiver for Selected Child Nutrition Program Reporting Requirements

This waiver cancels selected administrative data reporting requirements in the child nutrition programs, specifically the following: FNS-640 Administrative Review Report Form; FNS-828 School Food Authority Paid Lunch Price Report; FNS-874 Local Educational Agency Second Review of Applications; Ameliorative Action Plans for Verification Results; State Agency Food Safety Inspections Report; and Performance-Based Reimbursement (7 Cents) Quarterly Report.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #106
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0100 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Service of Meals at School Sites during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may serve meals at school sites during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-22.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #105
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0099 Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, service institutions operating the Summer Food Service Program in states, whose agencies elect to be subject to this waiver, may operate open sites in areas that are not located in “Areas in which poor economic conditions exist” during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-2022.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #104
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0102 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals Served by Service Institutions through the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver, and that elected to allow non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations via COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #101, may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children during an unanticipated school closure in school year 2021-22. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #103
09/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0098 Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times Requirements for Service Institutions Operating the SFSP during Unanticipated School Closures in SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may serve meals outside of the standard meal times during unanticipated school closures in SY 2021-22.  This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and service institutions operating, the Summer Food Service Program. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #102
09/22/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021