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Resource | Technical Assistance & Guidance Food Safety COVID-19 Resources

Learn more about COVID-19 food safety resources available to FNS program operators including new resources for school nutrition professionals from the Institute of Child Nutrition. 

05/12/2023
Resource | Webinars/Videos Overview of the Keep Kids Fed Act and New Supply Chain Assistance Funding

A webinar for state agencies providing an overview of provisions included in the new Keep Kids Fed Act legislation and Supply Chain Assistance funding. 

07/06/2022
Resource | Webinars/Videos Transitioning to Normal Child Nutrition Operations: Additional Waiver Opportunities

A webinar for state agencies about tools available to aid in the transition back to normal child nutrition program operations.

05/12/2022
Basic page SY 2021-22 Waivers and Flexibilities

To support a successful school reopening in school year 2021-2022, and to promote afterschool and child care, FNS is releasing a new suite of waivers and flexibilities to increase funding, support access, and balance operational needs with the goal of providing nutritious meals:

11/30/2021
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 | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review

The Farm to School Census and Comprehensive Review includes the 2019 Farm to School Census; a descriptive review of the USDA Farm to School grant program; a review of published research on farm to school since 2010; and a set of interviews with school food distributors. 

07/15/2021
Resource | Policy Oversight Plan Waiver

FNS understands that these are challenging times for all and that many state agencies and program operators face significant resource and time constraints. We are committed to approving waivers that support state agencies and program operators as they strive to run successful programs and meet child nutrition program requirements in order to provide nutritious food to eligible participants.

04/22/2021
Resource | Notices School Meals Operations Study: Evaluation of the COVID-19 Child Nutrition Waivers and Child Nutrition Programs

This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for the School Meals Operations Study with updated survey instruments for SY 2021-2022. This study will collect data from state agencies and public school food authorities, including disaggregated administrative data and data on the continued use and effectiveness of the CN COVID-19 waivers.

04/21/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0046 Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for Family Day Care Home Providers in SY 2021-22

This waiver allows schools and at-risk afterschool care centers, regardless of their location, to claim all NSLP,  Afterschool Snack Service and Child and Adult Care Food Program At-risk Afterschool Program meals and snacks at the free rate. This waiver also allows day care homes participating in CACFP to claim all meals served to enrolled children at the tier 1 rate, regardless of their location.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #93
04/20/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0042 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program operators in a state with an approved waiver allowing non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #89
04/20/2021
Page updated: October 14, 2021