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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0050 COVID-19 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID– 19).

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #5
04/23/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0051 Nationwide Waiver of Community Eligibility Provision Deadlines in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support the Community  Eligibility Provision while schools are responding to the novel coronavirus. The deadlines affected by this waiver include the CEP election, notification and reporting deadlines.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #6
04/23/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0103 Nationwide Waiver of Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessments in the NSLP and SBP

FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support schools unable to complete a triennial assessment of the local school wellness policies by June 30, 2020, 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.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #18
07/01/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0073 CN COVID-19 Meal Times Nationwide Waiver - Extension

Due to the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, USDA established a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus. This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. This waiver remains in effect through Aug. 31, 2020.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #23
05/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0003 Nationwide Waiver for Selected Child Nutrition Program Reporting Requirements

This waiver cancels selected administrative data reporting requirements in the child nutrition programs.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #72
01/07/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0014 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibilities for Summer 2021 Operations- Extension 9

FNS is extending a waiver of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal pattern requirements to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) this summer.

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #74
03/09/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0092 2020-21 National School Lunch Program USDA Foods Entitlement Calculations

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. 

06/16/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0061 Department of Education Information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Households with a child  approved to receive free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year are eligible for the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit. EBB is a federal program to help eligible families pay for internet service during the pandemic.

SP 12-2021
05/19/2021
Resource | Policy Memos Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – EXTENSION

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to help minimize potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This extension of Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs and Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised applies to the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #29
06/08/2020
Resource | Federal Register Documents Proposed Rule: Child Nutrition Programs Community Eligibility Provision - Increasing Options for Schools

This rulemaking proposes to expand access to the Community Eligibility Provision by lowering the minimum identified student percentage participation threshold from 40 percent to 25 percent, which would give states and schools greater flexibility to choose to invest non-federal funds to offer no-cost meals to all enrolled students.

03/23/2023
Page updated: October 14, 2021