This final rule implements Section 4018 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. Section 4018 created new limitations on the use of federal funds authorized in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended (FNA), for SNAP promotion and outreach activities.
The final rule, titled “Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” made several changes to requirements for stores that want to accept SNAP benefits as a form of payment. These changes support healthy lifestyles for SNAP recipients while maintaining recipients’ access to food.
FNS is updating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations to set implementation parameters, prerequisites and operational standards required of state agencies that intend to implement the photo Electronic Benefit Transfer card option provided under Section 7(h)(9) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.
The proposed action would implement four sections of the Agricultural Act of 2014, (2014 Farm Bill), affecting eligibility, benefits, and program administration requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The proposed action would update civil rights assurance language contained in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations on the Federal-State Agreement.
FNS is proposing changes to SNAP issuance regulations in accordance with the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 PL 110-234.
This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the “national average payments,” the amount of money the federal government provides states for lunches, afterschool snacks and breakfasts served to children participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs; to the “maximum reimbursement rates,” the maximum per lunch rate from federal funds that a state can provide a school food authority for lunches served to children participating in the National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or institution which participates in the Special Milk Program for Children.
This final rule requires all local educational agencies that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to meet expanded local school wellness policy requirements consistent with the requirements set forth in section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger- Free Kids Act of 2010.
This final rule revises the state agency's administrative review process in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to establish a unified accountability system designed to ensure that school food authorities offering school meals comply with program requirements.
This rule adopts as final, with some modifications, the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program regulations set forth in the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2013. The requirements addressed in this rule conform to the provisions in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 regarding nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools, other than food sold under the lunch and breakfast programs.