OFFICE HOURS for SNP Renewal
Each Wednesday in July, starting July 9
Time: 10 a.m. for 30 minutes or until there are no more questions
Dates: July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30
SNP Renewal Overview + Q&A
Join us for a quick walkthrough of the 2025- SNP renewal process in ND Foods. We'll highlight key steps, review updates, and answer your questions. No registration needed—just click to join!
The USDA Paid Lunch Equity Tool for SY 2025–2026 is now available!
Who needs to complete it? Sponsors with a negative ending balance in their School Food Service Account are required to complete the tool. Others may use it voluntarily to help set student lunch prices.
🔗 Access the PLE Tool on our website
Find the information under the School Nutrition Program tab and Free & Reduced Price Information: SNP Free & Reduced Price Information | North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Remember, the applications should not be sent out before July 1. Applications must be determined for eligibility within 10 days of receiving the application.
Please find under the 2025-2026 Application Resources for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
- The 2025-2026 Application (Remember to change the upper right-hand corner information before printing.)
- The Letter to the Household that must accompany the Application for Meal Benefits
- The Instructions for filling out the application and submitting
- A link to Application, household letters and instructions translations
- The template for the Information Release and instructions on how to implement the Information Release correctly
Look for the following under the Income Information for Determining Applications:
- A colorful flow chart to help in determining applications
- A chart of the Order of Eligibility Precedence
- The ND Expanded Income Eligibility Guidelines listing thresholds for free, reduced-price and State 225 income eligibilities
Ensure that all Letters of Eligibility Notification are updated from the new templates available
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Notice of Predetermined Eligibility for use with the Directly Certified households
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Notification letter Regarding Outcome of Application for all households who submitted an application either manually or online.
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Notification for Carryover Period Expiration to send out to families who have not submitted an application by about the 20th day of school. Sending this reminder will alert them that they only have a few more days before the eligibility expiration date of last year’s eligibility (30 school days of the new school year).
Please contact NDDPI-CNFD if you have questions on the Free/Reduced-Price or check the Eligibility Manual for School Meals as a resource.
Remember to send in valid Food Safety and Sanitation certification to dpicnfd@nd.gov. Renewals for the SNP program will not be approved until certification is received.
ServSafe is hosting an in-person class on August 26 at the Family Service Center of Clay County in Moorhead, MN. The training runs from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. and testing starts immediately after. Registration is due by August 1. Find the Registration form HERE.
Those who cannot make the ServSafe training or are comfortable taking the training and testing online, “Food Safety in Schools” is available at any time through the Institute of Child Nutrition. Enroll in the course here: https://theicn.docebosaas.com/learn/courses/21/FoodSafetyinSchools
Please remember to send in the certificate to dpicnfd@nd.gov!
SP 12-2025 provides PLE guidance and outlines the exemption process for SY 2025–2026. If your food service account had a zero or positive balance as of June 30, 2024, you’ll qualify to request an exemption during the renewal process.
▶️ Need help with the tool? Watch USDA’s step-by-step video: 🎥PLE Tool How-to Video
SP 13-2025 clarifies the use of vegetables at breakfast; explains the prohibition on the use of chicken or seafood originating from China and clarifies the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) exemption for SY 2025-2026.
SP 14-2025 reminds National School Lunch and School Breakfast program operators to use the Offer vs Serve (OVS) flexibilities to reduce food waste and enhance student choice. The memo notes best practices to ensure students and staff understand the requirements of OVS.
SP 15-2025 amid States adding new restrictions to school meal patterns such as prohibiting the use of dye in foods used in some foods or limiting the amount of ultra processed food on a school menu, USDA is clarifying that school meals must follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, but states can add more restrictions to the current meal pattern.
We typically receive updated reimbursement rates for free, reduced-price, and paid meals around July 10. While we haven't received them yet, our regional partner has confirmed they’re under review and should be released soon.
We’ll update our site as soon as the rates are available.
📎 View Reimbursement Rates Here
Let us know if you have questions as we end the 2024-2025 School Year. Thank you for your continued dedication to serving North Dakota students!
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