Policy Memo (64.58 KB)
| DATE: | June 6, 2008 | |
| MEMO POLICY: | SP24 CACFP08-2008 | |
| SUBJECT: | Streamlining At-Risk Afterschool Meal Participation for School Food Authorities Currently Participating in the National School Lunch Program | |
| TO: | Special Nutrition Programs All Regions |
State Agencies: Child Nutrition Programs Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and West Virginia |
The purpose of this memorandum is to establish the authority of state agencies (SA) that administer the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at-risk afterschool meals to permit school food authorities (SFA) to administer the CACFP at-risk afterschool meals in a manner consistent with the NSLP requirements.
Program operators report that many of the duplicative CACFP and NSLP requirements may impose barriers to participation for some SFAs interested in providing CACFP afterschool meals. The Child Nutrition Division is committed to exploring opportunities to relieve unnecessary administrative burdens associated with the operation of the child nutrition programs. We believe streamlining the following CACFP requirements to be more consistent with those of the NSLP will provide significant administrative relief without compromising the integrity of the program.
It is acceptable for SAs to consider the successful operation of the NSLP by an SFA as sufficient evidence of administrative capability and financial viability and may waive the requirement to submit a separate management plan for CACFP. Additionally, SAs that administer more than one child nutrition program are required to enter into a single agreement with SFAs with respect to the operation of any combination of the child nutrition programs. Therefore, an addendum to the existing agreement is sufficient for SFAs interested in participating in the CACFP at-risk afterschool program.
SAs may consider requests to align the monitoring requirements of the CACFP at-risk afterschool meal sites with those of NSLP. Finally, food service staff that receives meal service training under the NSLP should not be required to attend separate CACFP training on meal services. However, administrative staff must be informed about program requirements and attend the necessary training.
We hope these clarifications will encourage more SFAs to provide CACFP afterschool meals in eligible states. SAs should contact their regional office with any questions.
Cynthia Long
Child Nutrition Division
Director