This rulemaking proposes a change to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) which was mandated by the Healthy Meals for Healthy Americans Act of 1994. The change allows SFSP meal service to be provided at non-school sites to children who are not in school due to unanticipated school closures during the months of October through April caused by a natural disaster, building repair, court order, or similar occurrence.
Notice is hereby given that the national average minimum value of donated foods, or cash in lieu thereof, per lunch under NSLP and per lunch and supper under the Child and Adult Care Food Program shall be 14.75 cents for the period July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999.
This Notice announces the annual adjustments to: (1) the "national average payments, "the amount of money the federal government provides states for lunches, meal supplements and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; (2) the "maximum reimbursement rates,'' the maximum per lunch rate from federal funds that a state can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and (3) the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution which participates in the Special Milk Program for Children.
The National School Lunch Act requires that schools that are participating in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs claim reimbursements only for lunches or breakfasts which meet the nutrition standards of the National School Lunch Act, including compliance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
This Notice announces the Department's annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals or free milk for the period from July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999.
The purpose of this instruction is to clarify our position on tax-exempt status for Summer Food Service Program sires.