The goal of the school meal programs is to provide nutritious meals to children during the school day. Children may receive breakfast and lunch at no cost to them if they are categorically eligible for free meals or if they qualify for free meals based on federal poverty guidelines. Sometimes, however, children who do not qualify based on these standards would like a breakfast or lunch, but do not have money in their account or in-hand to cover the cost of the meal at the time of the meal service.
On April 25, 2016, FNS published the final rule “Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010." Child nutrition program operators were required to comply with these updated meal pattern requirements no later than Oct. 1, 2017.
Summer sites play a valuable role in helping children learn, grow, and stay healthy. Check out the SFSP Nutrition Guide to learn how you plan and serve menus with a variety of nutrient-rich foods and beverages, and operate a safe and successful food service.
To assist states and CACFP operators with implementation of the updated CACFP meal patterns, Congress appropriated funds for the provision of noncompetitive grants for states to provide hands-on training and technical assistance. These meal service training grants will assist state agencies in providing job skills training for CACFP operators on ways to plan and prepare and serve nutritious foods.
Each month, participating households receive a food package to help them maintain a nutritionally balanced diet.
FNS has developed the enclosed table, the Summary of Certification Interview Policy, to highlight certification interview policy and help state agencies convey the interview provisions to community-based organizations that participate in Community Partner Interviewer Demonstration Projects.
his final rule implements 11 provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA) that establish new eligibility and certification requirements for the receipt of food stamps.