Meal Service Waivers
The USDA has extended meal service flexibilities through June 2022 for districts participating in federal Child Nutrition Programs. The following waiver flexibilities are available so schools can serve meals to students while accommodating changing conditions.
Schools will need to re-opt into waivers (and in some cases receive approval from OPI) for the 2021-2022 School Year via this Waiver Request Form.
School Nutrition Waiver Request Form
A variety of School Nutrition Program meal service waivers are available to districts if needed in SY2021-22. These waivers aim to support access and balance operational needs with the goal of providing nutritious meals. Note: Districts must apply (and in some cases, receive approval) via OPI’s Waiver Request Form in order to utilize these flexibilities. Visit our Back to School page for more information on flexibilities, or contact your Regional Specialist with questions.
Read More about Waivers, Grant Opportunities, and Upcoming October Events in Think Food
The September-October 2021 Think Food edition shares additional information including Farm to School, product availability, Montana Crunch Time, an Equipment Grant, and more!
USDA Policy Memos
Resource | Policy Memos
USDA Demonstration Project to Evaluate Using Medicaid Eligibility Data to Directly Certify Children for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
09/10/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0109
SY 2020-2021 State Guidance on Coronavirus P-EBT
USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.
09/10/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2020-0109
State Guidance on Coronavirus P-EBT
USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. In support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic EBT benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.
09/09/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0043
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for School Year 2021-2022
FNS waives, for all states, the requirements to serve meals that meet specified meal pattern requirements during the public health emergency due to COVID–19. This waiver applies to state agencies administering and local organizations operating the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. These flexibilities also apply to the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #90 (Corrected)
08/27/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0093
Pandemic EBT – State Plans for 2021-22
This document provides information to states to assist in the development of state plans to operate Pandemic EBT for school children and children in child care.
08/26/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0085
Child Nutrition Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Programs: Q&As #3
This memorandum applies to state agencies administering the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. This document details further instructions and administrative procedures for participation in the reimbursement program established in Sec. 722 of the Act, which makes funding available via state agencies to program operators for the purposes of covering emergency operating costs incurred during the public health emergency
SP20 CACFP16-2021
08/11/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0091
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2021-2022 during COVID-19
This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during implementation of alternative child nutrition program operations throughout School Year 2021-2022 due to the continued novel coronavirus public health emergency.
SP19-2021
08/09/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0075
Community Eligibility Provision Operations during SY 2021-2022 Q&A
This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification to state agencies and program operators that participate or intend to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision during regular National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program operations.
SP 18-2021
07/22/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0076
COVID-19 Waiver Requests Submitted Prior to December 31, 2020
This memorandum clarifies that individual state agency waiver requests submitted to FNS in calendar year 2020 requesting flexibilities in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Special Milk Program for Children, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the COVID-19 public health emergency that have not been approved or denied prior to Dec. 31, 2020, will no longer be considered active requests.
SP17 CACFP15 SFSP09-2021
07/14/2021
Resource | Policy Memos | FNS-GD-2021-0071
Previously Issued Questions and Answers Relating to Operation of the Child Nutrition Programs: Updated for School Year 2021-2022
This memorandum provides clarification on questions related to child nutrition program operations during School Year 2021- 2022. This memorandum provides updates to Q&As previously released in Calendar Year 2020 and applies to state agencies administering, and local organizations operating, the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option.
SP16 CACFP14-2021
07/14/2021
Nondiscrimination Statement
Spanish-language NDS
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
|
