3/26 COVID-19 Update for School Meals Program Sponsors: USDA Nationwide Waivers Webinar

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 03/26/2020 03:06 PM PDT

3/26 COVID-19 Update for School Meals Program Sponsors: USDA Nationwide Waivers Webinar

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released 6 nationwide waiver approval letters for states under Section 2202 of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act related to Child Nutrition.

Please join OSPI CNS for a webinar regarding these updates and how it impacts program operations.

Register Here for the School Meals Webinar

Date: Friday, March 27, 2020
Time: 3 - 4 pm PT

USDA Waivers

1. COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #1; Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs

This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
Waives meal time requirements to support streamlined access to meals including providing more than 1 meal during pick up or delivery service.
Washington State will participate in this waiver.
There are no further requirements from sponsors at this time.
This waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect until June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier.

2. COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #2; Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition Programs

This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
Allows for meal service using grab and go and meal delivery options.
Washington State will participate in this waiver.
There are no further requirements from sponsors at this time.
This waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect until June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier.

3. COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #3; Nationwide Waiver of the Activity Requirement in Afterschool Care Child Nutrition Programs

This waiver applies to afterschool snacks in the National School Lunch Program and at-risk afterschool meals and snacks in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Waives the requirement for schools and at risk afterschool care centers to serve meals and snacks in a structured and supervised environment, with an education or enrichment activity.
Washington State will participate in this waiver.
There are no further requirements from sponsors at this time.
This waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect until June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier.

4. COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #4; Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs

This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
This waives the requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements.
Washington State will participate in this waiver.
Sponsors are approved on a case-by-case basis – OSPI CNS is currently working on a procedure for this. Please keep an eye out for future CNS updates regarding next steps.
This waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect until April 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier.
As a reminder, Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(f) allow procurement by noncompetitive proposals when there is a public emergency.

5. COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #5; Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children

This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
This allows program operators to distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children. Program integrity must be maintained. Program operators must have processes in place to ensure:
- Meals are distributed only to parents or guardians of eligible children;
- Duplicate meals are not distributed to any child.

Washington State will participate in this waiver.
OSPI CNS is currently working on a procedure for this. Please keep an eye out for future CNS updates regarding next steps.
This waiver is effective immediately and will remain in effect until June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier.

Additionally, USDA released COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #6; Nationwide Waiver of Community Eligibility Provision Deadlines in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Which extends the School Year 2020-21 CEP application deadline until August 31, 2020. Please read the full policy for additional information.

Questions? Please contact your program specialist.

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