FNS Documents & Resources

This rulemaking proposes to amend the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) regulations to strengthen program integrity by codifying in regulations changes that have been tested through policy guidance and by streamlining requirements among Child Nutrition Programs. These changes update important definitions, simplify the application process, enhance monitoring requirements, and provide more discretion at the State agency level to manage program operations. The intended effect of this rulemaking is to clarify, simplify, and streamline program administration in order to facilitate compliance with program requirements.

This rulemaking proposes changes to simplify meal pattern and monitoring requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The proposed changes, including optional flexibilities, are customer-focused and intended to help State and local Program operators overcome operational challenges that limit their ability to manage these Programs efficiently. In the National School Lunch Program, the proposed rule would add flexibility to the existing vegetable subgroups requirement.

Welcome to the new SNAP Certification Policy Waiver Database. This waiver database was designed to help users find the information they need quickly in a friendly format. SNAP regulations provide that waivers may be approved under certain conditions, including when approval of a waiver would result in a more effective and efficient administration of the program. 

On Dec. 20, 2019, President Trump signed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (PL 116-94), which provides $245 million for CSFP for FY 2020. Based on this funding level, FNS is issuing a final national caseload allocation of 736,110 for the 2020 caseload cycle (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020). This amount is equal to the 2019 national caseload allocation. FNS is allocating final caseload and administrative grants as provided in this memo. 

This guide consolidates and underscores FNS policy concerning waivers of the ABAWD time limit and replaces its predecessor, FNS' August 2006 Guidance on Requesting ABAWD Waivers. FNS advises state agencies to use this guide to understand, obtain, and prepare evidence that successfully supports an ABAWD time limit waiver request based on relevant sections of the Act; federal regulations; and historical SNAP policy. As a result of the final rule, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents, that was published on December 5, 2019, the regulatory standards referenced in this guide are only valid through March 31, 2020. In order to have a waiver as of April 1, 2020, and thereafter, states must request a waiver that meets the new standards in 7 CFR 273.24(f) and should submit that request as soon as possible to their respective FNS regional office contact(s). FNS expects to replace this guide in the future. 

In order to update and streamline policy guidance for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), the Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is cancelling Policy Memoranda FD-010, FD-027, FD-028, FD-029, FD-032, FD-053, FD-055, FD-071, FD-073, FD-074, FD-083, FD-086, FD-087, FD-090, FD-105, and FD-115. The guidance provided by these memoranda are either outdated, obsolete, or otherwise captured in more current memoranda.

This is a revision of a currently approved information collection (ICR). Section 17 of the National School Lunch Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1766), authorizes the Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP). Under this Program, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to provide cash reimbursement and commodity assistance, on a per meal basis, for food service to children in nonresidential child care centers and family or group day care homes, and to eligible adults in nonresidential adult day care centers. This renewal revises reporting and recordkeeping burden and adds public disclosure burden not captured in the previous ICR.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recommends WIC clinics dispose of unused, returned WIC infant formula in accordance with state and local health and safety laws. FNS does not recommend donating unused, returned WIC infant formula to entities such as food banks or food pantries.

This is a Request for Information to help the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Secretary or USDA) develop the additional criteria, as authorized in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, for a self-determination demonstration project related to the purchase of agricultural commodities for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). USDA requests feedback from Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and state agencies that administer FDPIR, Tribal leaders and representatives, and Tribal associations.

Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) is a policy that makes most households categorically eligible for SNAP because they qualify for a non-cash Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state maintenance of effort (MOE) funded benefit.