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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: Questions and Answers related to COVID-19

USDA has issued a series of question and answer documents on flexibilities and waivers for the child nutrition programs intended to support effective operations and provide meals, while also supporting social distancing in order to reduce the exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

10/01/2021
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-2021-0043 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for SY 2021-22

FNS waives, for all states, the requirements to serve meals that meet specified meal pattern requirements during the public health emergency due to COVID–19. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations operating the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. These flexibilities also apply to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #90 (Corrected)
08/27/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0093 Pandemic EBT – State Plans for 2021-22

This document provides information to states to assist in the development of state plans to operate Pandemic EBT for school children and children in child care.

08/26/2021
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-2021-0076 COVID-19 Waiver Requests Submitted Prior to December 31, 2020

This memorandum clarifies that individual state agency waiver requests submitted to FNS in calendar year 2020 requesting flexibilities in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Special Milk Program for Children and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency that have not been approved or denied prior to Dec. 31, 2020, will no longer be considered active requests. 

SP17 CACFP15 SFSP09-2021
07/14/2021
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-2021-0065 Nationwide Waiver of Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessments in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support schools unable to complete a triennial assessment of the local school wellness policies by June 30, 2021, due to school closures as a result of COVID–19. This waiver applies to state agencies that have local educational agencies administering the NSLP and/or SBP.

Child Nutrition Response #98
06/11/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0063 Nationwide Waiver to Provide Flexibility for School Meal Programs Administrative Reviews of SFAs Operating Only the SSO in SY 2021-22

This waiver facilitates state agencies abilities to conduct a school meal programs administrative review when a school food authority is only operating the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option in SY 2021-22.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #97
05/24/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021