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Resource | Policy Memos COVID-19 Congregate Meal Waivers & Q&As on Summer Meal Delivery Using Existing Authority

On March 9, 2020, FNS began approving waivers enabling SFSP and NSLP SSO sponsors to serve meals in a non-congregate setting and at school sites during school closures related to the coronavirus.

04/04/2020
Resource | Policy Memos Management of Donated Food Inventories at Processors

This memorandum addresses inventory limitations and requirements that USDA Foods processors must follow when manufacturing processed end products for use in child nutrition programs.

04/02/2019
Resource | Policy Instruction 709-5: Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods

This instruction establishes the general USDA Foods guidance for standards and procedures that the state distributing agency, Indian Tribal Organization, or other consignee must follow in receiving shipments of USDA Foods, and conveys established responsibilities for other entities such as USDA Foods vendors and carriers.

03/13/2019
Resource | Policy Memos 60-Day Claim Submission and 90-Day Reporting Requirements for Child Nutrition Programs

Attached is updated clarifying guidance for state agencies regarding the 60-day claim submission and 90-day reporting requirements for child nutrition programs which was released on April 25, 2018. This latest version includes edits to align with changes made in the SFSP Simplified Cost Accounting Final Rule published on June 1, 2018.

09/14/2018
Resource | Policy Memos Child Nutrition Program Waiver Request Guidance and Protocol- Revised

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. 

05/24/2018
Resource | Policy Memos Demonstration Project for Non-Congregate Feeding for Outdoor Summer Meal Sites Experiencing Excessive Heat with Q&As

Through this memorandum, pursuant to the authority of  the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Act 2010, FNS is continuing the 2017 demonstration project allowing non-congregate feeding at certain outdoor summer meal sites experiencing excessive heat for summer 2018, to develop and test alternative methods of providing access to summer meals for low income children. 

05/24/2018
Resource | Policy Memos Market Basket Analysis when Procuring Program Goods and Modifying Contracted-For Product Lists

This memorandum provides guidance to state distributing agencies and recipient agencies on the use of market basket analysis in procuring processed end products for USDA Foods in Schools and commercial goods for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. 

01/18/2018
Resource | Policy Value of USDA Donated Foods for Audits: Revised

The purpose of this audit guidance policy memorandum is to clarify the options available to state distributing agencies or recipient agencies in assigning value to USDA donated foods for audit purposes.

12/02/2016
Resource | Policy Memos Q&A: Purchasing Goods and Services Using Cooperative Agreements, Agents, and Third-Party Services

This memorandum provides general guidance on the various procurement groups FNS has identified, how to use each group in a way that complies with federal procurement standards, and supersedes SP 35-2012, Procuring Services of Purchasing Cooperatives, Group Purchasing Organizations, Group Buying Organizations, etc., dated June 12, 2012.

10/19/2016
Resource | Policy Memos Updated Fiscal Year Reporting Timeline and Reporting Table

This memorandum shares updates to the Fiscal Year “Reporting Table” and “Reporting Timeline” previously provided in memo SP21-2016 issued on December 28, 2015.

10/06/2016
Page updated: October 14, 2021