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Resource | Policy Request for Information: Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects

This is a Request for Information to inform the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) development of the Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects, as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024.

12/23/2024
Data Visualization
School Foodservice Supply Chain Challenges Dashboard

This dashboard visualizes key challenges School Food Authorities faced during school year 2023-2024 based on findings from the 2023-2024 School Food Authority Survey III on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation.

12/18/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP – Revised Memo on Telephonic Fair Hearing and Administrative Disqualification Hearings Procedures

This memorandum clarifies that telephonic and virtual fair hearings and administrative disqualification hearings are allowed, reminds state agencies of related requirements, and recommends various best practices when conducting telephonic or virtual hearings. This memo rescinds and supersedes previous telephonic hearing guidance provided in FNS policy memos 82-14 and 83-05.

12/12/2024
Resource | Policy FNS - SSA Joint Letter

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have news to share! SSA recently made changes to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, making it stronger and simpler for more than a quarter of a million older adults and people with disabilities. These changes could potentially increase SSI payments and allow more people to become eligible for the program.

12/10/2024
Resource | Research and Data School Food Authority Survey III on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation

The third annual survey of School Food Authorities found that 95 percent of SFAs faced supply-chain related challenges in school year (SY) 2023-24, but that the number of reported challenges and impacts they have on school food service have largely declined compared to SY 2022-23. This report is the third in the series and, like the others, reports findings from a 20-minute online questionnaire sent to all SFAs operating child nutrition programs in schools to gather information on the impacts of continued supply chain challenges

12/10/2024
Resource | Policy SNAP - Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits Excluded from Income

This memo addresses whether state agencies should count certain Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits as income for SNAP purposes. 

12/05/2024
Resource | Policy Letter to Governors - SNAP EBT Chip Cards

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a letter today encouraging all governors to invest in SNAP EBT cards with chip technology for their states.

11/15/2024
Resource | Training and Outreach Kosher and Halal Foods in Child Nutrition Programs

On Nov. 14, 2024 we held a webinar for state and local agencies administering child nutrition programs on serving halal and kosher observant students eligible for their programs.

11/14/2024
Resource | Policy Letter to Commissioners - SNAP EBT Chip Cards

FNS is pleased to announce that the X9 Committee ratified and published revised EBT standards in August 2024. Finalizing these standards is a significant step towards modernizing SNAP EBT technology and combating benefit theft. These technical standards provide the opportunity for states to implement EBT cards with chip technology.

10/28/2024
Resource | Research and Data 2023 Farm to School Census

The 2023 Farm to School Census collected information on farm to school participation by school food authorities (SFAs) in school year 2022–23. Every SFA participating in the National School Lunch Program in the 50 states, Washington, DC, and five territories received an online survey asking about the farm to school activities they participated in, details of their participation, and their perspectives on farm to school.

10/15/2024
Page updated: October 14, 2021