FNS Documents & Resources

FNS is offering a suite of operational flexibilities that will be available to child nutrition programs for summer 2022 and school year 2022-23.

This memorandum clarifies that individual state agency waiver requests submitted to FNS in calendar year 2020 requesting flexibilities in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Special Milk Program for Children and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency that have not been approved or denied prior to Dec. 31, 2020, will no longer be considered active requests. 

In FY 2020, TEFAP received a significant amount of additional funding for food purchases and administrative expenses through the Food Purchase Distribution Program and legislation in response to the novel coronavirus public health emergency.

With the recent passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to assist with the novel coronavirus public health emergency,  WIC received an increase in funding for the program as well as increased ability to provide states with the flexibilities they need to support mothers, infants and children that rely on WIC.

During an emergency situation such as the COVID-19 public health emergency, there are flexibilities available to TEFAP state agencies to assist them in continuing to provide food to people in need. Implementing TEFAP flexibilities can be achieved simply by submitting a written explanation (i.e., state plan amendment) to the FNS regional office for expedited review and approval.

This memorandum revises the current USDA Food and Nutrition Service process for state agencies and eligible service providers seeking a waiver of statutory or regulatory program requirements for the child nutrition programs, including the CACFP, the SFSP, the NSLP, the FFVP, the SMP, and the SBP.