Upcoming Waiver Survey  

Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted Minnesota more than 80 waivers to increase program flexibility. To decrease sponsor burden, most waivers did not require a formal approval process. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is in the process of creating a COVID-19 Waiver Survey to meet USDA reporting requirements. This critical survey will require sponsors to report which waivers were used, the time(s) they were used, and the number of sites that utilized each waiver. Please be ready to complete the survey, which will be sent out next week and due back in early March. 

New Monitoring Waiver 

USDA recently approved Minnesota’s 2020-21 monitoring waiver request. This waiver provides additional monitoring flexibilities both for MDE and nutrition program sponsors. MDE is finalizing an implementation plan and will be providing program-specific guidance soon.  

Child Nutrition Emergency Operating Costs Program  

On January 26, 2021, USDA released a temporary assistance program for School Nutrition Program (SNP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators who experienced decreased meal reimbursement from March through June 2020. 

MDE plans to submit an application for these funds. USDA will not release approvals for applications until after April 26, 2021. Based on USDA’s timeline of fund disbursements, MDE estimates the funds will be disbursed to program operators late summer 2021. MDE will release additional information as it is available.  

Review the Child Nutrition Program Emergency Operating Costs during COVID-19: Implementation Guidance for State Agencies for more information. 

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