J. Kevin Maskornick Although this is an extension of a prior waiver, any state agency electing to implement these flexibilities for summer 2022 must notify its respective FNS regional office, which will acknowledge receipt. Comparatively, only 1.2 million meals were served over the same period in 2019. Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. State agencies that have already received an SFSP waiver allowing non-congregate meal service through section 12(l) of the NSLA may elect to be covered by this nationwide waiver in place of their 12(l) waivers. The .gov means its official. Child nutrition programs ensure participants have access to the critical nutrition they need through meals that support their health and well-being. The Keep Kids Fed Act will also provide assistance to program operators across the country by: This new authority does not allow all students to eat school meals free of charge in school year 2022-2023. The .gov means its official. The .gov means its official.

School food authorities (SFAs) that operated the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in school year (SY) 2021-22 collected students individual free and reduced price eligibility information that is required to make area eligibility determinations for summer 2022 and SY 2022-23. All figures based on data available as of January 2021 and subject to revision. An official website of the United States government. Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) (PL 116-127), as amended, and based on the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending the nationwide waiver to allow meal service operations outside of the standard meal service times in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through Sept. 30, 2022. Minnesota Department of Education website1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville, Minnesota 55113651-582-8200. An official website of the United States government. USDA has announced the SFSP reimbursement rates for calendar year 2022. Meals distributed off-site (grab and go, home delivered, etc.) For example, if a site starts operating on June 13, but is not approved in CLiCS until June 20, meals served prior to June 20 cannot be claimed for reimbursement. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Turnip the Beet! As required by section 2202(d) of the FFCRA, each state that elects to be subject to this waiver must submit a report to the Secretary no later than one year after the date such state received the waiver. An official website of the United States government. State agencies should inform local program operators of these flexibilities as quickly as possible, and work in partnership with local operators to provide meals to all participants in an accessible manner. Our child nutrition professionals are doing a heroic job ensuring kids across the country have proper nutrition throughout this public health emergency, often times with limited resources. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. The .gov means its official. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 1. Inquiries can be sent to the Minnesota Department of Education Webmaster: mde.webmaster@state.mn.us. Therefore, FNS is offering two additional data options that sites may use to qualify as area eligible for summer 2022 and SY 2022-23. Area eligibility established using this option is not valid for five years. The site is secure. The site is secure. Both actions are a response to the significant challenges child nutrition program operators continue to face, such as high food costs and supply chain disruptions. The 2022 SFSP applications will be available in CLiCS the last week in March. State agencies with questions should contact the appropriate FNS regional office. USDA is committed to working with our partners who provide meals for children at school and all year long through the school meal, afterschool, child and adult care, and summer meal programs. USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers SFSP sites. State agencies should inform local program operators of the flexibilities provided by this waiver as quickly as possible, and work in partnership with local operators to provide meals to all participants in an accessible manner this summer. These critically needed summer meals will provide relief to many children in families who have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and are fighting daily to put food on the table. USDA is extending these waivers to provide local program operators with clarity and certainty for the summer months ahead, when many children cannot access the school meals they depend on during the academic year. As part of that effort, FNS identified and will provide the area eligibility flexibilities described below to support program operators as they continue to face challenges and uncertainties in their critical role to provide meals for children. WASHINGTON, March 9, 2021 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session. FNS appreciates the exceptional effort of state agencies and local program operators working to meet the nutritional needs of participants. The $943 million boost from the department is provided through USDAs Commodity Credit Corporation. You can jump to the section by clicking the link. An official website of the United States government. This option is only available to non-CEP schools, on this limited basis, to determine area eligibility in the absence of other school data as schools transition to non-pandemic operations. An official website of the United States government. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. All sites will need to meet regular eligibility requirements. Meals served at a location that is not approved as a site in CLiCS cannot be claimed for reimbursement until the date on which the site application is approved. An official website of the United States government. They can help determine if you are located in an eligible area.

The meals are also available to persons over age 18 with mental or physical disabilities. In the absence of complete SY 2021-22 school-level free and reduced price data, program operators may use school data from a designated month of SY 2019-20 to qualify as area eligible in summer 2022 and SY 2022-23. FNS appreciates the exceptional effort of state agencies and local program operators working to meet the nutritional needs of participants. On our end, this funding boost is yet another step the Administration is taking to ensure every child who needs a meal, gets one. However, these schools were required to conduct direct certification with SNAP and may have continued to collect data on other identified students, including those directly certified with other programs or who would have been categorically eligible for free school meals without an application. WASHINGTON, June 30, 2022 The Biden Administration announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide nearly $1 billion in additional funding to schools to support the purchase of American-grown foods for their meal programs. These percentages can be used for determining area eligibility in the SFSP, SSO, CACFP, and afterschool snacks provided through the NSLP. Extending nationwide flexibilities to summer meal programs through September 2022, including allowing sites to continue serving meals in all areas, at no cost to families; Providing schools with an additional temporary reimbursement of 40 cents per lunch and 15 cents per breakfast, and child care centers with an extra 10 cents reimbursement per meal; Providing all family day care homes with the higher temporary reimbursement rate for school year 2022-23; Equipping USDA with additional flexibilities to support schools, as needed, based on their local conditions. For more information on CEP, seeCommunity Eligibility Provision | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov). School data or census data may also be used to classify family day care homes as eligible for higher tier I reimbursement (42 USC 1766(f)(3)(A)(ii)(I)(aa) and (bb) and 7 CFR 226.15(f)) and to establish area eligibility of open sites in SFSP and SSO (42 USC 1761(a)(1)(A)(i)(I) and (II) and 7 CFR 225.2 (see: Areas in which poor economic conditions exist)). Lastly, while state agencies must validate the ISP used when SFAs elect CEP, state agencies are not required to validate the ISP data used by non-CEP schools to establish area eligibility for summer 2022 and SY 2022-23.

Therefore, pursuant to the FFCRA authority cited above, FNS extends, for all states, the waiver of those requirements at 7 CFR 225.16(c)(1) and (2) that place Federal limits on the amount of time that must elapse between the beginning of one meal and the beginning of the next, and the duration of a meal service. Schools must calculate the ISP using data as of April 1, 2022.

The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Saied Toossi, Download larger size chart (1024 pixels by 825, 72 dpi), Download larger size chart (1017 pixels by 814, 72 dpi), Low-Income and Low-Foodstore-Access Census Tracts, 201519, The Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape: Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report, COVID-19 Working Paper: Filling the Pandemic Meal Gap: Disruptions to Child Nutrition Programs and Expansion of Free Meal Sites in the Early Months of the Pandemic, Household Food Security in the United States in 2020, The Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape: Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Transformed the U.S. Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Landscape, USDA School Meals Support Food Security and Good Nutrition, Free School Lunch, Breakfast Participation Rose Between 2009 and 2019, Schoolchildren Consumed More Whole Grains Following Change in School Meal Standards, Volume of Purchases and Regional Location Have Strong Effects on Food Costs for School Meals, Food and Nutrition Assistance Research Reports Database, Food Assistance Data & Collaborative Research Programs, Privacy Policy & Non-Discrimination Statement, The sites operate in areas where at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level; or, Half or more of the children served by the site meet this income criterion (see FNS's. Child nutrition program (CNP) statutory and regulatory provisions require that school data be used to establish area eligibility for at-risk afterschool care centers in the CACFP (42 USC 1766(r)(1)(B) and 7 CFR 226.17a(i)) and for schools providing NSLP afterschool snacks (42 USC 1766a(c)(1)). The waivers extended today allow for safe meal distribution sites that serve all children for free, regardless of income. Official websites use .gov USDA is issuing this guidance as early as possible to empower communities to establish as many meal sites as they can effectively manage this summer. FNS will consider any state election to participate under this nationwide waiver as a request to withdraw the Section 12(l) waiver of the requirements at 7 CFR 225.16(c)(1) and (2) and 7 CFR 210.10(l) and 220.8(l). These flexibilities are now available through Sept. 30, 2021. Each location where meals are served must be approved as a site in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). An official website of the United States government. USDA is working alongside our child nutrition partners to support them in delivering vital, nutritious meals to tens of millions of children every school day, said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary of food, nutrition, and consumer services. Are you interested in operating a site that serves summer meals? However, FNS recommends that state agencies validate the data if possible. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS This extension is effective immediately and remains in effect through Sept. 30, 2022. States that are interested in participating in the Direct Certification for Medicaid demonstration project are invited to respond to the current request for applications (PDF, 649 KB), which closes on September 30, 2022. This extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Program regulations at 7 CFR 225.16(c)(1) and (2) require minimum elapsed times between meal services and maximum durations of individual meal services in the SFSP. Visit the. USDA is committed to providing local operators with the flexibilities and resources they need to continue offering the best meal service possible to their children, given their day-to-day realities.. This nationwide waiver authority, as authorized by the FFCRA, expires on June 30, 2022. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Consistent with Section 2202(a)(2) of the FFCRA, this extension applies automatically to all states that elect to use it, without further application. However, if the state agency has a waiver approved by FNS to extend this CEP deadline, schools may calculate the ISP using data drawn during the time period approved in the waiver.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS High Quality Summer Meals Award Program, Final Rule: Simplified Cost Accounting and Other Actions To Reduce Paperwork in the SFSP, Summer Food Rocks! Program operators should direct any questions concerning this guidance to their state agency. Official websites use .gov Option 2: Allow All Schools to Use Community Eligibility Provision Data. Theres a long road ahead, but the extra support and funding for our operators will help them continue to serve our children well. Are you a parent or guardian looking for SFSP sites near you? A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, CN Flexibilities for Summer 2022 and School Year 2022-23, AK Department of Education and Early Development, CO Department of Public Health and Environment, DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. FNS also extends these non-congregate feeding flexibilities to SSO operations for the duration of this waiver. To use these flexibilities, SFSP and SSO operators must contact the state agency for approval and provide the state agency any necessary information to complete the report requirements discussed below. USDA Extends Free Meals to Children through Summer 2021 Due to Pandemic, More, Better, and New Market Opportunities, Allow meals to be served outside of the normally required group settings and meal times; and. SFSP sites must meet eligibility requirements. This extension applies to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and FNS is extending this flexibility to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO). J. Kevin Maskornick SFSP reimburses program operators who serve free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas. Determinations based on this option for non-CEP schools will only be valid for summer 2022 and SY 2022-23. Contact: USDA PressEmail: [emailprotected]. Select. A lock ( LockA locked padlock ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. For NSLP afterschool snacks, SFSP, and SSO, data used to determine area eligibility must be the most recent data available. Sponsors must complete the required in-person site monitoring visits. Individual school data must be used to determine area eligibility, even if the school is participating in CEP as part of a group or district claiming with a shared ISP. These flexibilities are individual waivers to assist state agencies and program operators as they transition from operations under COVID-19 nationwide waivers to operations designed around their own unique circumstances. FNS also extends these meal service time flexibilities to SSO operations for the duration of this waiver. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. State agencies should direct questions to the appropriate FNS regional office. J. Kevin Maskornick Section 2202(a) of the FFCRA permits the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a waiver for all states for the purpose of providing meals under the child nutrition programs or to ensure continuity of program operations. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. In addition, the waivers: Right now, up to 12 million children are living in households where they may not always have enough to eat. Allow parents and guardians to pick-up meals for their children, including bulk pick-up to cover multiple days of feeding children. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. FNS explored potential resources and flexibilities within the agencys existing authority to support continuity of operations as state agencies and program operators transition from the nationwide waivers. Option 1: Use of School Year 2019-20 Free and Reduced Price Application Data. The department also applauds the Presidents recent signing of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which equips schools, summer meal sites, and child care food programs with extra resources so they can continue serving children through school year 2022-2023. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. For Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, the 1.6 multiplier provides an estimate of the total number of students eligible for free and reduced price meals in CEP schools; therefore, the product of the identified student percentage (ISP) multiplied by 1.6 is used as a proxy for the percentage of free and reduced price students for area eligibility purposes. Both options are available to program operators as applicable, including SFAs and non-SFAs, who wish to use school data to make area eligibility determinations.

Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. See the contact information of your state agency. In 2019, the SFSP provided more than 141 million nutritious meals and snacks to children during the summer when school was not in session. Official websites use .gov SFSP sites include schools, camps, parks, playgrounds, housing projects, community centers, churches, and other public sites where children gather in the summer.

As required by Section 2202(d), each state that elects the non-congregate feeding flexibilities must submit a report to the Secretary no later than one year after the date such state received the extension. A lock ( Therefore, the individual schools ISP is multiplied by a factor of 1.6. Please note that FNS expects that program operators will only use operational waivers when congregate meal service is limited by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these options are not available for sites located in the attendance area of schools that operated NSLP in SY 2021-22. All meals need to be eaten on-site in a congregate setting. If the resulting percentage is at least 50, meal sites within the schools attendance area are area eligible. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Summer meal sites are places where children and youth age 18 and under can receive meals at no cost in a safe environment. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. Community Meals Policy Division, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions for Summer 2022 Operations EXTENSION 4. Policy and Program Development Division, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Area Eligibility for Summer 2022 and School Year 2022-23, COVID19: Child Nutrition Response #85, Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year 2021-22 to operate the NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO) during SY 2021-22, Areas in which poor economic conditions exist, SP 08-2017 CACFP-04 SFSP 03-2017, Area Eligibility in Child Nutrition Programs, Community Eligibility Provision | Food and Nutrition Service. Section 2202(a) of the FFCRA permits the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a waiver for all states for the purposes of providing meals under the Child Nutrition Programs or to ensure continuity of program operations. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. Therefore, area eligibility determinations made for summer 2022 using SY 2019-20 data are effective through summer 2024, and determinations made for SY 2022-23 may be effective through SY 2024-25 (depending on the designated month selected, per the above). The report must include a summary of the use of this extension by the state agency and local program operators. The number of meals served through SFSP and expenditures on the program were 8.9 and 8.7 times greater than in FY 2019, respectively. Sponsors are responsible for properly evaluating and determining if a site may participate in the SFSP. In addition, FNS also extends the waiver of those requirements at7 CFR 210.10(l)and7 CFR 220.8(l)that set meal time parameters for schools. If the result is equal to or greater than 50 percent, meal sites located at the school (or in the attendance area of the school) are area eligible. Section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) (PL116-127), as extended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (PL116-159), allowed the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue nationwide waivers related to pandemic conditions. For summer 2022 and SY 2022-23, schools that operated SSO during SY 2021-22 and are not participating in CEP may use the same guidance as CEP schools to determine area eligibility for a schools attendance area.