FNS is seeking public comment on its intent to ask the Office of Management and Budget to extend approval of the information collection under OMB approval #0584-0654 from Jan. 31, 2022 until Aug. 27, 2023.
FNS has used its authority under FFRCA to waive certain onsite monitoring requirements for the school meals programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program, so that programs can to maintain program integrity and support social distancing while providing meals.
This memorandum outlines the existing flexibilities available to all CACFP operators experiencing supply chain disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and encourages state agency and sponsoring organization discretion when monitoring for compliance with meal pattern requirements.
Centers and family daycare homes participating in CACFP play an important role in supporting the health and wellness of the children they serve. The Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings is the first nationally representative, comprehensive assessment of the CACFP. Data were collected in program year 2016–17 from CACFP providers and participating children on nutritional quality of meals served, nutrient intake of participating children, meal costs and revenues, and more. Findings serve as an important baseline for the subsequent updates to the meal pattern and nutrition standards, which were implemented in October 2017.
USDA has issued a series of question and answer documents on flexibilities and waivers for the child nutrition programs intended to support effective operations and provide meals, while also supporting social distancing in order to reduce the exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
This memo announces a new set of child nutrition program waivers for school year 2021-2022. Since March 2020, USDA has worked to ensure state agencies, schools and other community partners have the tools they need to maintain children’s access to nutritious meals during COVID-19.
This waiver cancels selected administrative data reporting requirements in the child nutrition programs, specifically the following: FNS-640 Administrative Review Report Form; FNS-828 School Food Authority Paid Lunch Price Report; FNS-874 Local Educational Agency Second Review of Applications; Ameliorative Action Plans for Verification Results; State Agency Food Safety Inspections Report; and Performance-Based Reimbursement (7 Cents) Quarterly Report.
Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver may serve meals at school sites during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-22.
Under this waiver, service institutions operating the Summer Food Service Program in states, whose agencies elect to be subject to this waiver, may operate open sites in areas that are not located in “Areas in which poor economic conditions exist” during unanticipated school closures in school year 2021-2022.
Under this waiver, Summer Food Service Program operators in states that elect to be subject to this waiver, and that elected to allow non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19-related operations via COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #101, may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children during an unanticipated school closure in school year 2021-22.