FNS Documents & Resources

Several data sources, including information on free and reduced price eligibility status changed as a result of verification, indicate that there is a significant problem with inaccurate certifications for free/reduced price meal benefits in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Therefore, it is imperative that both state agencies and FNS make every effort to validate the accuracy of eligibility determinations.

As you know, in August 2000, the procurement requirements for the child nutrition programs were moved from Department regulation 7 CFR Part 3015 to 7 CFR Parts 3016 and 3019. Attached are a number of questions and answers we have received concerning how these requirements changed the procedures for procurements paid with State Administrative Expense Funds.

The attached policy memorandum clarifies the requirements WIC agencies must meet to spend federal WIC grant funds on a dietetic supervised practice program or other out-of-service training program for WIC staff and eligible in-kind staff. WIC agencies that incurred WIC-allowable training costs.

This memorandum provides policy clarification about WIC allowable costs for activities related to immunization promotion in the WIC program.

In compliance with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Department will not approve future IFBs or contracts that include provisions that erroneously restrict competition for WIC infant formula rebates.

This policy memorandum is simply a clarification of general WIC program confidentiality principals delineated in  the Program Regulations and FCS Instruction 800-1 with special emphasis on provisions which affect immunization promotion activities.

We have concluded that neither the authorization of vendors to accept WIC food instruments, nor the exchange of a WIC food instrument between a certified WIC participant and an approved WIC vendor represents a "covered transaction." Therefore, WIC vendors are not subject to the certification requirement.