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Resource | Policy Memos 2017 Edition: Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge - Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools

This is the 2017 Edition of Overcoming the Unpaid Meal Challenge: Proven Strategies from Our Nation’s Schools. This best practice guide is designed to support state agencies and local program operators in their efforts to find workable solutions to the challenge of unpaid meal charges.

05/10/2017
Resource | Policy Memos Community Eligibility Provision: Annual Notification and Publication Requirements

This memorandum details guidance on the annual Community Eligibility Provision notification and publication requirements and provides information on the USDA-developed reporting template.

03/16/2017
Resource | Research and Data | Impacts/Evaluations Evaluation of the Elementary Schools Pilot Project for Canned, Frozen, or Dried Fruits and Vegetables in the FFVP

This report presents results from a pre/post study comparing the fall of 2014 with the spring of 2015, to evaluate the impacts of a pilot project under which states had the option to serve canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables.

01/19/2017
Resource | Training and Outreach Foster Care Letter

The Departments of Agriculture, Education and Health and Human Services issued a tri-agency letter outlining the categorical eligibility of children and youth in foster care for free school meals.

12/08/2014
Resource | Policy Memos Updated E-Rate Guidance for Schools Electing Community Eligibility

This memorandum notifies state agencies and local program operators of recently updated rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission regarding the calculation of discount rates under the E-Rate program for schools electing the Community Eligibility Provision.

11/21/2014
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Regional Office Review of Applications for School Meals 2013

The study generates national estimates of administrative error in eligibility determinations and benefit issuance for free or reduced-price school meals.  For school year 2012-2013, local education agencies correctly certified 96.4% of students who applied for meal benefits.  LEAs assigned the correct free, reduced-price, or paid status to a slightly smaller 96.2% of students. 

08/27/2014
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations NSLP Direct Certification Improvement Study

The purpose of this study is to describe current methods of direct certification used by state and local agencies and challenges facing states and local education agencies in attaining high matching rates. 

08/27/2014
Resource | Policy Memos Eligibility Effective Date for Directly Certified Students

This memorandum addresses inquiries regarding flexibility in determining the effective date of eligibility for students who are directly certified to receive free meals or free milk in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Special Milk Program.

06/19/2014
Resource | Guidance Documents Disaster Response

This memorandum supersedes SP 25-2012, CACFP 12-2012, SFSP 10-2012, Disaster Response and provides an overview of ways state agencies, school food authorities participating can respond to situations resulting from damage or disruptions due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flood as well as other exceptional emergency situations or man-made disasters. Allows state agencies to designate any appropriate facility, which is providing meals to displaced families who are being temporarily housed elsewhere, as a CACFP emergency shelter during a natural disaster or other emergency situation.

05/19/2014
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05/06/2014
Page updated: October 14, 2021