This notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for activities associated with administering emergency allotments (EA) waivers issued by USDA based on a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services related to an outbreak of COVID-19.
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 2021-22.
FNS waives, for all state agencies and school food authorities, school meal programs onsite monitoring requirements. This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – Extension 2 granted on Aug. 4, 2020 that expires on June 30, 2021.
FNS is waiving certain requirements for administrative reviews in cases where an insufficient number of the school food authorities’ schools are operating.
This extension of Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Extension, issued June 8, 2020 to waive the requirements until Aug. 31, 2020 applies to the NSLP and the School Breakfast Program. The onsite monitoring portion of this waiver remains in effect through June 30, 2021.
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.
The final rule titled Administrative Reviews in the School Nutrition Programs was published on July 29, 2016. The Office of Management and Budget cleared the associated information collection requirements on Sept. 12, 2016. This document announces approval of the ICR.
This final rule revises the state agency's administrative review process in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to establish a unified accountability system designed to ensure that school food authorities offering school meals comply with program requirements.