Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for Summer 2022 Operations – EXTENSION 7

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) (PL 116-127), as amended, and based on the exceptional circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending a nationwide waiver to allow parents and guardians to pick up meals for children in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through Sept. 30, 2022. This waiver extends for summer 2022 the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – EXTENSION 6 granted on March 9, 2021, that expired on Sept. 30, 2021— through Sept. 30, 2022. This extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO).

Section 2202(a) of the FFCRA permits the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a waiver for all states for the purposes of providing meals under the child nutrition programs or to ensure continuity of program operations. Under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act at 42 USC 1761(f)(3) and program regulations at 7 CFR 210.10(a), 7 CFR 220.2 (Breakfast) and 7 CFR 220.8(a), 7 CFR 225.2 (Meals), and 7 CFR 225.9(d)(7), meals must be served to eligible children. The cited regulations ensure that program operators provide meals directly to children and not allow parents and guardians to pick up meals at non-congregate meal sites on behalf of their children. However, FNS recognizes that, due to the broad impacts of COVID-19 and the ongoing public health emergency, state agencies and local program operators need additional support and flexibility to maintain continuity of program operations and ensure they can maximize the provision of meals for children.

Therefore, pursuant to the FFCRA authority cited above, FNS waives, for all states, the requirements at 42 USC 1761(f)(3), 7 CFR 210.10(a), 7 CFR 220.2 (Breakfast) and 7 CFR 220.8(a), 7 CFR 225.2 (defining Meals), and 7 CFR 225.9(d)(7) that meals may only be served directly to children. Program 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. Any other requirements referenced in these provisions remain in effect. This extension is effective immediately and remains in effect through Sept. 30, 2022. FNS also extends this flexibility to SSO operations for the duration of this waiver.

State agencies opting to use these flexibilities must have a plan for ensuring that program operators are able to maintain accountability and program integrity. This includes putting in place processes to ensure that meals are distributed only to parents or guardians of eligible children, and that duplicate meals are not distributed to any child. State agencies may want to consult local program operators when developing their plans, as local Program operators are best situated to determine how to provide these assurances.

Consistent with Section 2202(a)(2) of FFCRA, this extension applies automatically to all states that elect to use it, without further application. Although this is an extension of a prior waiver, any state agency electing to implement these flexibilities for summer 2022 must notify its respective FNS regional office, which will acknowledge receipt. State agencies that have already received an SFSP waiver allowing parent or guardian meal pickup through section 12(l) of the NSLA may elect to be covered by this nationwide waiver in place of their 12(l) waivers. FNS will consider any state election to participate under this nationwide waiver as a request to withdraw the Section 12(l) waiver of the requirements at 42 USC 1761(f)(3), 7 CFR 210.10(a), 7 CFR 220.2 (Breakfast) and 7 CFR 220.8(a), 7 CFR 225.2 (Meals), and 7 CFR 225.9(d)(7). To use these flexibilities, SFSP and SSO operators must contact the state agency for approval and provide the state agency any necessary information to complete the report requirements discussed below. State agencies should inform local program operators of these flexibilities as quickly as possible, and work in partnership with local operators to provide meals to all participants in an accessible manner.

As required by Section 2202(d) of FFCRA, each state that elects the parent pick up flexibilities must submit a report to the Secretary no later than one year after the date such state received the extension. The report must include a summary of the use of this extension by the state agency and local program operators.

FNS appreciates the exceptional effort of state agencies and local program operators working to meet the nutritional needs of participants. State agencies should direct questions to the appropriate FNS regional office.

J. Kevin Maskornick
Director
Community Meals Policy Division