FNS Documents & Resources

FNS waives the requirement that SFSP sponsors are required to visit each of their sites at least once during the first week of operation. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations that have operated the SFSP successfully in the previous year, and SFSP sponsors in good standing that have successfully participated in the Child and Adult Care Food Program or the National School Lunch Program.  

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) for school year 2020-2021. 

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility in National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Food Program. The extension was granted on May 14 and expires on August 31, 2020.

This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – EXTENSION 3, granted on June 8, 2020, that expires July 31, 2020. This waiver extension applies to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for school year (SY) 2020-2021. As provided for in the June 8 extension, the waiver for the Summer Food Service Program remains in effect until July 31, 2020.

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to allow parents and guardians to pick up meals for children until August 31, 2020. This waiver extension applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). 

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators on the operation of the child nutrition programs during the novel coronavirus public health emergency.

USDA has issued a series of question and answer documents on flexibilities, adjustments and waivers for the programs intended to support effective operations and provide access to benefits while also supporting social distancing in order to reduce the exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Under nationwide non-congregate feeding and meal time waivers, state agencies may allow CACFP sites to provide more than one day’s worth of meals to eligible children via a single meal pick-up or delivery. This publication provides tips, best practices, and sample menus for CACFP operators who wish to distribute multiple meals at one time.

FNS has used its authority under FFRCA to waive certain onsite monitoring requirements for the school meals programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, so that programs can to maintain program integrity and support social distancing while providing meals. 

Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) and in light of the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).