FNS Documents & Resources

Letter to states from the USDA Secretary to encourage you to help schools in your state keep kids fed despite ongoing challenges associated with the pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, and labor shortages.

USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve our program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants.

On July 7, 2022, the FNS hosted a webinar with the National CACFP Sponsors Association, along with other national allies to discuss the child nutrition program operations for summer 2022. Questions and answers are provided based on the nationwide waiver flexibilities issued through the Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022.

USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve our program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants.

Nationwide waiver of the summer sponsor application deadline and to allow reimbursement for meals served prior to notification of approval for summer 2022 operations.

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, FNS is extending the nationwide waiver to allow meal service operations outside of the standard meal service times in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option through Sept. 30, 2022.

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to allow parents and guardians to pick up meals for children in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option through Sept. 30, 2022.

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and based on the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to allow non-congregate meal service in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option through Sept. 30, 2022.

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

Pursuant to the authority in Section 2202 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and current national supply chain constraints due to COVID-19, FNS is granting a waiver of certain fiscal action requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. This waiver is available for any state where there is a supply chain disruption with respect to foods served under such a qualified program and such disruption is due to COVID–19. FNS is also extending this flexibility to the NSLP Seamless Summer Option for the duration of this waiver.