This final rule will codify, with some extensions, three menu planning flexibilities temporarily established by the interim final rule of the same title published Nov. 30, 2017.
School food authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs are required to verify income for a small percentage of households approved for free or reduced price meals each school year. However, getting households to respond to verification requests can be challenging for SFA staff. If households do not respond, they lose their benefits regardless of their actual eligibility.
This memorandum informs stakeholders on the progress made by FNS in updating the food crediting system for all child nutrition programs. This is a first step towards improving the crediting system to best address today’s evolving food and nutrition environment and meet the needs of those operating and benefiting from the CNPs.
This memorandum provided information regarding the updated Administrative Review Manual, Forms and Tools for School Year 2018-19 to include the updated Fiscal Action Process and Workbook. Currently, regulations requires state agencies to take fiscal action for all Performance Standard 1 violations and Specific Performance Standard 2 violations identified during an administrative review.
FNS is pleased to announce the release of the fiscal year 2019 request for applications to invite state agencies that administer the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs to apply for FY 2019 Administrative Review and Training Grants.
FNS is pleased to announce the release of the RFA for Child Nutrition Technology Innovation Grants. Funds will be available on a competitive basis to state agencies administering the child nutrition programs.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) along with other child nutrition programs (CNPs) administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) make it possible for schools to serve wholesome and appealing meals to students each day.
The goal of the school meal programs is to provide nutritious meals to children during the school day. Children may receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to them if they are categorically eligible for free meals or if they qualify for free meals based on federal poverty guidelines. Sometimes, however, children who do not qualify based on these standards would like a breakfast or lunch, but do not have money in their account or in-hand to cover the cost of the meal at the time of the meal service.
On April 25, 2016, FNS published the final rule “Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010." Child nutrition program operators were required to comply with these updated meal pattern requirements no later than Oct. 1, 2017.
Attached is updated clarifying guidance for state agencies regarding the 60-day claim submission and 90-day reporting requirements for child nutrition programs which was released on April 25, 2018. This latest version includes edits to align with changes made in the SFSP Simplified Cost Accounting Final Rule published on June 1, 2018.