This memo is to announce extensions of needed flexibilities for summer 2021 operations for the Summer Food Service Program, the National School Lunch Program, and the NSLP 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.
On Jan. 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education released a fact sheet that outlines options and clarification for state and local educational agencies to successfully implement programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 while operating under child nutrition programs waiver flexibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. On January 22, in support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.
FNS is offering additional funds to state agencies administering the NSLP, School Breakfast Program, and CACFP to provide local operators of those programs with additional reimbursements for emergency operating costs they incurred during the public health emergency.
Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the FFCRA, FNS is establishing a nationwide opt-in waiver to help minimize the impact of coronavirus related school closures on USDA Foods entitlement calculations.
FNS is establishing a nationwide opt-in waiver to help minimize the impact of coronavirus related school closures on USDA Foods entitlement calculations.
This waiver cancels selected administrative data reporting requirements in the child nutrition programs.
This waiver allows food service management company contracts that may expire by or around June 30, 2021, and have not been extended for SY 2020-2021 to be extended through school year 2021-2022 (June 30, 2022). To ensure program integrity during this time, extended FSMC contracts are limited to one-year only.