FNS Documents & Resources

This memorandum provides guidance regarding reimbursement of meals and snacks served during the COVID-19 public health emergency by emergency shelters participating in CACFP under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

This collection is a reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. FNS uses this collection to obtain account and record information from state and service institutions that is necessary to effectively manage the CACFP and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory Program requirements.

This memorandum announces the release of the state agency supplemental implementation plan templates for use in the Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs.

FNS is extending a waiver of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program meal pattern requirements to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) this summer.

USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. On January 22, in support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic-EBT (P-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 clarification on additional questions related to the operation of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Seamless Summer Option, Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program during school year 2020-21. 

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators in a state with an approved waiver allowing non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children. State agencies must have a plan for ensuring that program operators are able to maintain accountability and program integrity.  

Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators may provide non-congregate meals during COVID–19-related operations. This waiver extends the nationwide waiver to allow non-congregate feeding in the Summer Food Service Program granted on Aug. 31, 2020 that expires on Dec. 31, 2020. This waiver applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. 

This waiver extends until June 30, 2021, the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – Extension 2. It applies to state agencies administrating, and local organizations operating, the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option. 

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators as they transition to the upcoming school year.