FNS Documents & Resources

The FY 2003 U.S. Department of Agriculture appropriations legislation extended the free and reduced price provision for for-profit centers in the CACFP through Sept. 30, 2003. The intent of this provision was to extend the availability of program benefits offered to low-income children by expanding upon the eligibility requirements for proprietary centers.

This memorandum addresses questions have been raised by WIC state agencies regarding the eligibility determinations for individuals from military families which include military service personnel serving overseas or assigned to a military base and temporarily absent from the home. 

We are providing further clarification on the child nutrition policy for military households affected by deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

This memorandum extends this categorical eligibility provision to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program for Children, and closed enrolled sites in the Summer Food Service Program.

In response to inquiries from three regional offices, we are issuing the attached guidance with regard to the eligibility for free meals of children participating in state-funded pre-kindergarten programs.

Prior to issuance of a final rule, we are authorizing determining agencies to disclose free and reduced price meal or free milk eligibility information to the extent authorized in the statute.

The memorandum explains the circumstances under which a state agency may use the automatic eligibility provisions for free school meals and milk for children from households who are receiving assistance under the state’s TANF Program. It also discusses TANF as it affects reimbursement and eligibility under the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.

The purpose of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, as set forth by the National School Lunch Act, is to provide meal assistance in nonresidential child care situations.