Guidance and Training Resources
The Minnesota Free School Meals (MN-FSM) Program begins July 1, 2023. Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) applications for School Year (SY) 2023-24 will be available to complete in CLiCS in early June for current sponsors. Watch the Nutrition Bulletin for updates on this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) were updated this week on the MN-FSM webpage. Sponsors should check this webpage regularly for MN-FSM Program guidance and training opportunities.
Key Takeaways for Current Sponsors and Interested Schools:
- FAQs addressing meal claiming in CLiCS for Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and Kindergarten breakfasts are now available.
- If adding the breakfast service to a school’s vended meals or food service management contract will increase the total value of the contract by 10% or more, the school is required to rebid the contract for SY 2023-24. Sponsors should refer to the MDE Meal Service Contracts webpage for resources and templates.
- Programs that charge tuition or fees for service, such as private schools or school-run child care centers, may not charge for the breakfasts or lunches claimed for reimbursement.
- The MN Free School Meals Program is considered non-pricing, so sponsors should report their paid lunch price as zero.
- Meals must always be served in a congregate setting and point of service meal counts are required in order for meals to be claimed under the MN-FSM Program.
- Virtual schools and homeschools are not eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
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Reminder: Instructions to become a new or returning sponsor are found in the Application Process for the School Nutrition Program. This process can take six to nine months to complete.
Direct additional questions on the MN-FSM program to mde.fns@state.mn.us.
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