USDA Policy, Information, and Implementation Memos
Sponsoring organizations and institutions are required by regulation to keep Bulletins, Instructions, and USDA Policy Memorandums for reference and to apply them immediately to the appropriate agency programs. Call Child Nutrition Programs if you need further clarification.
To view the USDA SFSP policy memos, visit: DEED Child Nutrition Programs website or the USDA Policy Memorandum webpage. The latest policy memos are below:
USDA Policy Memos, Information, and Guidance:
SFSP 05-2023 Best Practices for Meal Claim Verification and Ensuring Properly Payable Claims in the Summer Food Service Program – This policy memo provides best practices for using appropriate documentation to validate claims for reimbursement for self-preparation sites and ensuring claims are properly payable in the SFSP. Self-prep sites will find this particularly useful.
SFSP 06-2023 Oversight and Monitoring of the Summer Food Service Program - Guidance on On-site and Off-site Strategies and Options – This policy memo provides guidance regarding on-site and off-site strategies and options for SFSP oversight and monitoring.
SFSP 07-2023 Questions and Answers #2: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas – This policy memo provides further guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the SFSP and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
Please continue to monitor the CNPWeb for any policy memos, additional information, or program guidance at the Child Nutrition Programs website.
Additional Topics
SFSP 2023 Application Deadline: May 1, 2023
For sponsors with end of school year/May start dates, DEED/CNP requests that sponsors submit completed applications with supporting documentation by May 1, 2023, or 30 days before the start of operations. Completed applications will be processed in the order they are received. DEED/CNP has 30 days to process them from the date of receipt. Incomplete applications will cause a delay in the approval of the application. It is important to note that due to federal requirements, DEED/CNP will not accept late renewal applications at the sponsor level. Any meals served prior to approval cannot be claimed for reimbursement.
Applications will be accepted at sponsor and site levels as long as they are completed. Incomplete applications will not be approved. Sites may not begin meal service until their application is approved by DEED/CNP in the CNP Web database.
New (and returning) sites may be added throughout the summer, provided that the sponsor is approved prior to the deadline. Sponsor applications will not be accepted after the federally regulated deadline of June 15, 2023.
Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service (Zoom Recording) and Integrity Plan
Last April 21, AK DEED CNP held a short training via Zoom on non-congregate meal service for Summer 2023. The non-congregate meal service option is available only to rural areas with no congregate meal service. You can view the Zoom recording (Passcode: *YV15JV0) here.
Sponsors and SFAs that wish to operate non-congregate meal service in rural areas are requested to get in touch with Jennifer Cherian (jennifer.cherian@alaska.gov) to obtain a copy of the Integrity Plan. The Integrity Plan is a required document that details how you will carry out non-congregate service with fidelity.
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(Updated) Permanent Agreement Reminder
Just a reminder that if you have not yet completed the updated Permanent Agreement, please download the attached Permanent Agreement and upon completion, submit it to jennifer.cherian@alaska.gov. You are only required to complete the Permanent Agreement once.
Resource: Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
The latest feature of the Exhibit A Grains Tool on the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG) Interactive Web-based Tool and FBG Mobile App went live in March. The Exhibit A Grains Tool requires the Program and meal to be selected to filter the search results to only creditable grain items for that specific Program.
Resource: No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices Webinars
No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices hosts webinars on a range of topics to share best practices and help stakeholders end childhood hunger in their community. Their Summer Meals webinars focus on implementation, promotion, and success stories.
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