Guidance and Training Resources
The Minnesota Free School Meals (MN-FSM) Program begins July 1, 2023. This is a permanently funded program written into state law. This legislation provides reimbursement for one free breakfast and lunch to students who previously had to pay for their meals. This funding complements federal meal reimbursements that schools currently receive through participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) were updated this week. Please visit the MN-FSM webpage for MN-FSM Program guidance and training opportunities.
Key Takeaways for Current Sponsors and Interested Schools:
- Schools need to operate both the NSLP and the SBP in order to participate in the MN-FSM Program.
- Schools that have never participated in NSLP and prior sponsors who have not participated for more than one year who wish to participate in the MN-FSM Program must apply as a new sponsor. Instructions for becoming a new sponsor are found in the Application Process for the School Nutrition Program. This process can take six to nine months to complete. Start now!
- Approved school sponsors can operate the NSLP and SBP at Academic summer school programs that offer classes providing credits and extended school year (ESY) programs.
- Summer camps, summer enrichment and summer day care programs may not participate in the NSLP and SBP.
- Applications for MN-FSM are not yet open in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). Sponsors will be notified once they are available.
- Financial oversight requirements of foodservice funds when operating MN-FSM have not changed:
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Complete second student breakfasts or lunches must be charged at the adult meal price. Schools should price individual second entrées and other single a la carte items following requirements in USDA Memo SP 20-2016.
- Schools contracting with caterers or Food Services Management Companies (FSMCs) cannot claim ordered meals that are not taken.
- Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) changes are not required to operate MN-FSM. Revenue associated with MN-FSM is state funded and covered with Source Code 300.
- MN-FSM does not affect Title 1 Funds. Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title funds and services are not dependent on free or reduced-price meal eligibility status.
- Households are still responsible for money owed on student meal accounts until debt is considered uncollectible and classified as bad debt.
- MN-FSM Program reimbursement rates begin July 1, 2023. Federal reimbursement rates for School Year (SY) 2023-24 are not yet available but will be posted in the summer. Sponsors should ensure accurate meal claiming in federal eligibility categories when operating the MN-FSM Program to receive accurate federal and state reimbursements.
Direct questions on the MN-FSM program to mde.fns@state.mn.us.
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