Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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-2021-0046 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
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0041 Nationwide Waiver of Meal Times Requirements for SY 2021-22

Under this waiver, NSLP, SBP, and CACFP operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may serve meals outside of the standard meal times. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #88
04/20/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0002 Nationwide Waiver of Food Service Management Contract Duration in the NSLP and SFSP Extension

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. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #71
01/07/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0096 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – Extension 2

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 for school year 2020-21. FNS recognizes that  continuing to require children to come to the meal site to pick up meals may not be practical and in keeping with the goal of providing meals while also taking appropriate safety measures.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #35
10/26/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0167 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre-Approval Visits in SFSP - Extension

FNS is granting a nationwide waiver to allow state agencies to reimburse Summer Food Service Program sponsors for meals served prior to the sponsor receiving written notification that the sponsor or site has been approved for participation in the Program. FNS is also waiving the requirement for state agencies to conduct pre-approval visits of SFSP sponsors and sites. 

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #69
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0176 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the SFSP – Extension 2

During the public health emergency due to COVID-19, FNS waives, for all states, requirements that limit the use of Offer Versus Serve to school food authorities and require sponsors to apply OVS under the rules followed for the National School Lunch Program. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations operating SFSP. 

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #67
10/09/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0175 Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the SFSP and the NSLP Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION 2

FNS waives, for all states that elect to be subject to this waiver, the meal service time requirements allowing meals served outside of the standard meal times. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations operating the: Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #66
10/09/2020
Page updated: October 14, 2021