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Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0019 COVID-19 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs

Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is granting a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19). 

COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #4
03/25/2020
Resource | Comment Request Comment Request - Determining Eligibility for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk

This collection is a revision of a currently approved collection for determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk as stated in FNS regulations. These federal requirements affect eligibility under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program and are also applicable to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program when individual eligibility must be established

01/21/2020
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0078 Updated School Meal Guidance

FNS is issuing a suite of memoranda providing updated guidance for operators in the child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.

SP36-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0077 Salad Bars in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program

This memorandum supersedes policy memo SP 31-2013, “Salad Bars in the National School Lunch Program,” dated March 27, 2013. This revision includes policy changes and general updates to outdated resources/website links and updated questions and answers.

SP41-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0076 Smoothies Offered in the Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum clarifies juice and yogurt allowances based on the child care and preschool meal pattern updates and incorporates the meal pattern flexibilities related to flavored milk. The flavored milk flexibilities apply to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Special Milk Program for Children effective beginning in school year 2019-2020.

SP40 CACFP17 SFSP17-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0075 Clarification on the Milk and Water Requirements in the School Meal Program

This memorandum rescinds and replaces SP19-2018, issued Aug. 6, 2018. This updated memorandum clarifies regulations that water made available to students in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program shall not compete with the milk requirement.

SP39-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0074 Meal Requirements under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Q&As for Program Operators

This memorandum rescinds and replaces memorandum SP 10-2012 (v. 9), Questions and Answers on the Final Rule “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, dated Aug. 3, 2015.

SP38-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0073 Q&As on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements

Attached are Q&As on the final rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements (83 FR 63775, Dec. 12, 2018), which provides menu planning flexibilities in the child nutrition programs beginning July 1, 2019.

SP37 CACFP16-2019
09/23/2019
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2019-0038 Crediting Popcorn in the Child Nutrition Programs

This memorandum provides guidance on crediting popcorn in the child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.

SP23 CACFP10 SFSP09-2019
04/17/2019
Resource | Notices Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines (2019-2020)

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 and free milk for the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

03/20/2019
Page updated: October 14, 2021