FNS Documents & Resources

USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.

This memorandum provides Q&As related to the nationwide waivers released for School Year 2021-2022 and applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. 

FNS is establishing a nationwide waiver to support schools unable to complete a triennial assessment of the local school wellness policies by June 30, 2021, due to school closures as a result of COVID–19. This waiver applies to state agencies that have local educational agencies administering the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.

This waiver facilitates state agencies abilities to conduct a school meal programs administrative review when a School Food Authority is only operating the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option in SY 2021-2022.

This notice announces the availability of non-competitive technology innovation grant funding, which will be distributed on a formula basis beginning in FY 2021 among all eligible state agencies administering the child nutrition programs and requests comment on this non-competitive approach.

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.

This memorandum provides notice to child nutrition program operators regarding Sections 743, 764, 767, and 789 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 enacted on Dec. 21, 2020. This revised memorandum applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating the federal child nutrition programs. It is revised to correct the timeframe intended by Congress for Section 743.
 

This is a revision of a currently approved information collection for Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer for the reporting burden associated with administering P-EBT.

This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to child nutrition program oversight, monitoring, and administration. 

FNS understands that these are challenging times for all and that many state agencies and program operators face significant resource and time constraints. We are committed to approving waivers that support state agencies and program operators as they strive to run successful programs and meet child nutrition program requirements in order to provide nutritious food to eligible participants.