Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension #2

FNS is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) for school year (SY) 2020-21.

Select from the following list to see all states approved for this wavier in child nutrition programs.

Attachment

Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition - Extension 2

DATE:	June 25, 2020
POLICY MEMO:	COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #33
SUBJECT:	Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition - Extension 21
TO:	Regional Directors Special Nutrition Programs All Regions	State Directors Child Nutrition Programs All States

Pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) (PL 116-127) and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending a nationwide waiver to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) for school year (SY) 2020-21. This waiver extends the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in Child Nutrition Programs - Extension, granted on May14 that expires Aug. 31, 2020. This waiver extension applies to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). As provided for in the May 14 extension, the waiver for the Summer Food Service Program remains in effect until Aug. 31, 2020.

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, with appropriate safety measures, as determined by the Secretary.

Under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act at 42 USC 1753(b)(1)(A) and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 at 42 USC 1773(b)(1)(A)(i)(I), and program regulations at 226.19(b)(6)(iii), NSLP, SBP, and CACFP meals must be served in a congregate setting and must be consumed by participants on site. However, FNS recognizes that for SY 2020-21, waiving the congregate meal requirements is vital to ensure appropriate safety measures for the purpose of providing meals and meal supplements.

Therefore, pursuant to the FFCRA authority cited above, FNS waives, for all states, those requirements at 42 USC 1753(b)(1)(A) and 42 USC 1773(b)(1)(A)(i)(I), to serve meals through the NSLP and SBP in a congregate setting. FNS also waives, for all states, requirements at 7 CFR 226.19(b)(6)(iii), to serve meals through the CACFP in a congregate setting. This waiver is effective July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.

Please note, all meals served pursuant to this waiver and under a planned response to COVID-19 must be claimed under the appropriate operating program and may not be claimed under the SFSP or the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option. During SY 2020-2021, only meals served during unanticipated school closures may be claimed under SFSP or SSO. Planned full or partial building closures are not considered unanticipated school closures for SY 2020-21.

Consistent with section 2202(a)(2) of the FFCRA, this waiver applies automatically to all states that elect to use it, without further application. If the state agency elects to implement these flexibilities for SY 2020-2021, it must notify its respective FNS regional office, which will acknowledge receipt. 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 a safe and accessible manner.

As required by section 2202(d), each state that elects to be subject to this waiver must submit a report to the Secretary not later than 1 year after the date such state received the waiver. The report must include:

• A summary of the use of this waiver by the state agency and local program operators, and
• A description of whether and how this waiver resulted in improved services to program participants.

FNS appreciates the exceptional effort of state agencies and local program operators working to meet the nutritional needs of participants during a challenging time. State agencies should direct questions to the appropriate FNS regional office.

Angela M. Kline
Director
Policy and Program Development Division

 

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¹ Pursuant to the Congressional Review Act (5 USC 801 et seq.), the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs designated this waiver as not major, as defined by 5 USC 804(2).