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Resource | Federal Register Documents Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs Surveys

FNS plans to collect periodic data to obtain information on operational challenges facing institutions who operate or administer child nutrition programs, including state agencies, SFAs and Summer Food Service Program sponsors. The Operational Challenges in Child Nutrition Programs (OCCNP) Surveys, are designed to collect timely data on emerging school food service operational challenges, including but not limited to supply chain disruptions, food costs, and labor shortages, and/or related issues in SY 2023–2024, 2024–2025, and SY 2025–2026.

05/08/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for SY 2023-24

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance to state agencies and school food authorities on the paid lunch equity requirements for school year 2023-24. It explains the exemption provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 and provides guidance for SFAs that do not qualify for the exemption, including those who may be returning to PLE requirements for the first time in a few years.

SP 11-2023
04/05/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Unique Entity Identifier Transition

In April 2022, federal agencies transitioned from use of the DUNS number to the Unique Entity Identifier. Child Nutrition Program Operators are required to have the UEI to receive payments from state agencies who administer the child nutrition programs on behalf of the federal government. This memorandum provides answers to questions related to the transition.

SP 07-2023, CACFP 06-2023, SFSP 04-2023
03/20/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Rural Designations in the Summer Meal Programs - Revised

The purpose of this memorandum is to revise guidance on rural designations in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option (SSO). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized a permanent non-congregate meal service option through the SFSP and SSO for children who live in rural communities with no congregate meal service. This memorandum supersedes SFSP policy memorandum SFSP 17-2015, Rural Designations in the Summer Food Service Program – Revised, April 21, 2017.

SFSP 04-2024, SP 06-2024
03/06/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides notice to child nutrition program operators regarding the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, enacted on Dec. 29, 2022. 

SP 06-2023, CACFP 05-2023, SFSP 02-2023
03/03/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Semiannual Regulatory Agenda - Fall 2022

This agenda provides summary descriptions of significant and not significant regulations being developed in FNS.

02/22/2023
Resource | Policy Memos FY 2023 Reallocation of State Administrative Expense Funds in Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides the information needed to conduct the FY 2023 reallocation of SAE funds in the child nutrition programs.

SP04-2023, CACFP04-2023
02/17/2023
Resource | Policy Memos Offsite Monitoring of the CACFP and School Meal Programs After the Public Health Emergency Ends

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance regarding the expiration of the offsite monitoring for CACFP and the School Meal Programs after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. 

SP 03-2023, CACFP 02-2023
02/15/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Information Collection: Evaluation of the School-Based Child Nutrition Programs

This notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection. This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for the School Meals Operations Study information collection with updated survey instruments for SY 2022-23. This study will collect data from state agencies and public on the continued use and effectiveness of the nationwide child nutrition COVID-19 waivers.

02/01/2023
Resource | Federal Register Documents Information Collection: Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards Application for SFAs

This is a new collection for the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards Application. The Recognition Awards will recognize school food authorities (SFAs) that have made significant improvements to the nutritional quality of their school meals by exceeding the transitional school meal pattern requirements, engaging students, and implementing innovative practices. SFAs can apply to one or more Recognition Awards included in the application form.

FNS 2022-27941
12/23/2022
Page updated: October 14, 2021