FNS published a final rule on program integrity to ensure that child nutrition programs are properly operated and managed to protect federal funds and taxpayer dollars. The final rule impacts the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.
The final rule strengthens program integrity by modernizing how state agencies oversee child nutrition programs. This rule is one of many steps that USDA is taking to ensure that federal child nutrition programs can serve the millions of children who depend on them to reach their full potential. The stakeholder notification summarizes the rule in plain language.
Implementation Timeline
- School Programs Provision Changes
Category Status Compliance Date Discretion in Taking Fiscal Action for Meal Pattern Violations New Provision Sept. 22, 2023 Return to a 5-year Review Cycle New Provision July 1, 2024* Substitution of Local-Level Audits New Provision July 1, 2024 Completion of Review Requirements Outside of the Administrative Review New Provision July 1, 2024 Framework for Integrity Focused Process Improvements New Provision Sept. 22, 2023 Assessment of Resource Management Risk New Provision Sept. 22, 2023 Buy American Area of Review New Provision Sept. 22, 2023 School Food Authority Contracts with Food Service Management Companies No Substantive Change Aug. 23, 2024 Annual NSLP Procurement Training New Provision Aug. 23, 2024 Performance Based Reimbursement Reporting New Provision Sept. 22, 2023
First annual report due Oct. 30, 2024* Prior to the compliance date, state agencies may continue to apply for a waiver of the current administrative review cycle
- CACFP Provision Changes
Category Status Compliance Date State Agency Review Requirements in CACFP New Provision Aug. 23, 2024 State Liability for Payments to Aggrieved Child Care Institutions New Provision Aug. 23, 2024 CACFP Audit Funding Previously Implemented Sept. 22, 2023 Financial Review of Sponsoring Organizations in CACFP New Provision Aug. 23, 2024 Informal Purchase Methods for CACFP No Substantive Change Aug. 23, 2024 Elimination of the Annual Application for Institutions Previously Implemented Sept. 22, 2023 Timing of Unannounced Reviews Previously Implemented Sept. 22, 2023 Standard Agreements Between Sponsoring Organizations and Sponsored Child Care Centers New Provision Sept. 22, 2023 Collection and Transmission of Household Income Information Previously Implemented Sept. 22, 2023 Calculation of Administrative Funding for Sponsoring Organizations of Day Care Homes Previously Implemented Sept. 22, 2023 Carryover of Administrative Funding for Sponsoring Organizations of Day Care Homes Previously Implemented Sept. 22, 2023 - Miscellaneous Amendments and Provisions
Category Status Compliance Date Fines For Violating Program Requirements New Provision Aug. 23, 2024 State Administrative Expense Funds (SAE) New Provision Sept. 22, 2023
Additional Resources & Policy Guidance
- Implementation Guidance - State Agency Review Requirements (02/26/24)
- School Meal Programs Provisions Webinar Recording (01/19/24)
- State Agency Discretion for Repeat Meal Pattern Violations Fiscal Action (12/02/23)
- Administrative Review and Food Service Management Company Review Cycles (12/01/23)
- Table of Regulation Changes due to the Program Integrity Rule (11/15/23)
- Initial Implementation Memo (08/23/23)