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.
To support a successful school reopening in school year 2021-2022, and to promote afterschool and child care, FNS is releasing a new suite of waivers and flexibilities to increase funding, support access, and balance operational needs with the goal of providing nutritious meals:
This Notice announces that the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service plans to add WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefit Delivery Modernization (FMNP BDM) Grants, as authorized under Section 1106 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (PL 117-2), to its list of approved programs under the Uniform Grant Application for Non-Entitlement Discretionary Grants, as approved under OMB Control Number: 0584-0512 (Expiration Date: July 31, 2022); and that FNS intends to collect additional information for FMNP BDM Grants outside of what is currently in the uniform package.
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.
On Oct. 1, 2021, the requirement to credit grains served in the CACFP in "ounce equivalents" was implemented. This action also applied to the crediting of grains served to infants and toddlers in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This document corrects the final regulations to align meal pattern tables and corresponding endnotes with regulatory requirements.
This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to child nutrition programs use of emergency procurements due to supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Education Secretary Cardona provide a brief message thanking school nutrition professionals for the work they do to ensure students receive nutritious meals.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provided USDA with $390 million, available through FY 2024, to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and redemption of benefits for both WIC and WIC FMNP.