SNA Policy News: Updates from Washington D.C.

Clarification on NSLP-SBP Meal Pattern Rules for SY 2020-21
School Nutrition Association
SNA continues to receive inquiries regarding meal pattern requirements for school meal programs operating the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs (NSLP/SBP). In April 2020, a federal district court ruling struck down USDA’s 2018 final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements. The ruling eliminated NSLP/SBP meal pattern flexibilities, reverting back to the 2012 meal patterns for grades K-12, which required flavored milk to be fat-free; all grains to be whole-grain rich; and school lunches and breakfasts to meet sodium target 2.

However, USDA’s COVID–19: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs waived for all states the requirement to serve meals that meet the meal patterns during school year 2020-21. USDA is allowing school meal programs to use this meal pattern flexibility if they cannot meet the 2012 meal pattern requirements. In the August 21, 2020 FNS document, Questions and Answers for the Child Nutrition Programs during School Year 2020-2021 – #5, FNS addresses the issue on pages 5 and 6. School nutrition professionals operating NSLP/SBP should contact their State agencies for more information on the waiver process.
USDA Publishes SFSP Reimbursement Waiver and Q&A on SFSP-SSO
School Nutrition Association
On September 11, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released two documents:
- Nationwide Waiver to “Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre-approval Visits in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).” This waiver allows SFSP operators to forgo the requirement that reimbursements shall not be paid for meals served at a site before the sponsor has received written notification that the site has been approved for participation. This waiver expires on December 31, 2020.
- Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through December 2020. This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to State Agencies and Program operators on issues related to recently published waivers for SFSP and SSO during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
New GENYOUth Application for Families to Find Feeding Sites for School Meals During COVID-19
School Nutrition Association
The Nonprofit GENYOUth has announced the release of its new application SAP4Kids Resource Locator Map. This application was designed to help families locate feeding sites for school meals while schools are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Locator Map features automatic notifications, service hours, and up-to-date information on locations. Users can also enter their information here.
USDA Extends SFSP/SSO Waivers
School Nutrition Association
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended all Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) waivers through as late as December 31, 2020, dependent on available funding. The move allows schools to offer meals to all children at no charge this fall to minimize the challenges of meal service during a pandemic. The waivers that have been extended include: Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities for SFSP, First Week Site Visits for SFSP, Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites for SFSP and NSLP, Time Restrictions in the SFSP and NSLP, Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals, Non-congregate Feeding in the SFSP and NSLP, Meal Pattern Flexibility in the SFSP, Extend Area Eligibility Waivers, and Allow SFSP and SSO Operations through December 2020. This announcement came less than one week after SNA's Board of Directors hosted a call with USDA officials to share urgent feedback from schools that have seen dramatic declines in student lunch participation in the opening weeks of school, leaving meal programs in dire financial circumstances. Read more in SNA’s press release.
Senators Send Letter to USDA Urging Extension of Waivers through SY 2020-21
School Nutrition Association
On September 1, 2020, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with 28 additional Senators, sent a letter to the USDA requesting the full extension of school meal waivers through the end of the 2020-21 school year. The letter states that these extensions would allow schools the flexibility to fully serve students whether they are attending school in person or virtually. Read the full letter.