FNS published the subject interim regulation, and established the effective date as Dec. 15, 1999, because the customary effective date for regulations is 30 days after publication and given the health and reimbursement implications, we wished to implement the regulation as soon as possible.
The memorandum clarifies policy on quarterly reporting, and expands the kinds of changes that states can allow recipients to report quarterly, rather than when they occur.
The Food Plans represent a nutritious diet at four different cost levels. The nutritional bases of the Food Plans are the 1997-2005 Dietary Reference Intakes, 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and 2005 MyPyramid food intake recommendations. In addition to cost, differences among plans are in specific foods and quantities of foods. Another basis of the Food Plans is that all meals and snacks are prepared at home. For specific foods and quantities of foods in the Food Plans, see Thrifty Food Plan, 2006 (2007) and The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007 (2007). All four Food Plans are based on 2001-02 data and updated to current dollars by using the Consumer Price Index for specific food items.
Attached is a third set of questions and answers, “Afterschool Snacks, Questions and Answers, Edition 3, 11/99."
The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), a fundamental part of the U.S. food guidance system, is now revised. The TFP provides a representative healthful and minimal cost meal plan to demonstrate how a nutritious diet may be achieved utilizing a modest budget or food stamp benefits.
As you know, regulations at 7 CFR 226.6(c) give State agencies the responsibility to terminate child care institutions that the State agency determines to have been seriously deficient in the operation of one of the child nutrition programs.
The purpose of this memorandum is to reiterate the authority and responsibility State agencies have in ensuring that facilities terminated for cause from CACFP by one sponsoring organization do not participate in the program under another sponsor.
We are writing to stress the importance of training day care providers and center personnel. Insuring that program participants are well-trained is a vital responsibility of state agencies and sponsoring organizations, and it is an important proactive tool in improving program management and integrity.
The Jan. 14, 1999, memorandum implementing the after school snack provision of the Child Nutrition Programs’ reauthorization legislation stated that RCCIs would not be eligible for this benefit. To address these situations, we are authorizing RCCIs to participate in the after school snack program.
This memorandum clarifies our policy with regard to those situations in which homeless shelters participating in CACFP receive and use commodity foods.