SNA Policy News: Updates from Washington D.C.

USDA Announces Nationwide Area Eligibility Waiver
School Nutrition Association
On June 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of the nationwide area eligibility waiver through August 31^st, 2020. This waiver allows program operators to locate Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) open sites in areas that do not meet area eligibility requirements. USDA also provided a third extension for the meal pattern waiver, now effective through July 31^st, 2020.
Take Action: Request that Congress Support Waiver Extensions
School Nutrition Association
We need your voices to be heard now more than ever! Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives asking them to follow up with USDA on the SNA letter to Secretary Perdue which was sent to all Members of Congress. Urge Congress to request that USDA extend all COVID-19 waivers throughout the next school year and provide school meals to all students at no charge. Take action now on SNA’s Action Network
SNA Calls for Quick Action to Keep School Meal Programs Viable
School Nutrition Association
On June 4th, SNA sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the immediate extension of COVID-19 emergency feeding waivers through the end of the SY 2020-2021. This letter has been sent to all of Congress and contains a request that school meals be provided for all students at no charge. This letter also includes essential information regarding ongoing financial and operational barriers as schools work to continue providing critical meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Full press release.
SNA Survey Reveals COVID-19 School Meal Trends, Financial Impacts
School Nutrition Association
On Monday, May 18, SNA released Impact of COVID-19 on School Nutrition Programs - Part 2, the findings of a national survey of school meal program directors. The survey highlights expansive efforts to provide needy students safe access to school meals during COVID-19 closures, but also reveals significant concerns about the financial sustainability of school meal programs. Conducted from April 30 – May 8, the survey yielded responses from 1,894 school districts nationwide. Ninety-five percent of responding districts were engaged in emergency meal assistance, and combined, these districts reported serving more than 134 million meals in April alone. However, more than 90% of respondents either anticipate a financial loss (68%) for their programs this school year or are uncertain about financial losses (23%). Learn more and access the full results of Impact of COVID-19 on School Nutrition Programs - Part 2.
SNA Urges Swift Passage of The Heroes Act
School Nutrition Association
SNA has expressed strong support for H.R. 6800, The Heroes Act. This Act which passed the House of Representatives on Friday, includes $3 billion in emergency funding to help school meal programs cover costs associated with COVID-19 school closures. This bill is intended to provide financial relief for school meal programs by distributing funds based on a formula that takes into account the average level of reimbursement a program would receive to operate the program, and the compensation it received during the pandemic. SNA will continue to advocate for financial relief, PPE, and other support for school meal programs, which continue to serve needy students during COVID-19 school closures.