Food and Nutrition Programs

School Meal Flexibilities for School Year 2018-2019

To:	School Nutrition Directors
From:	Robert M. Leshin, Director Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Date:	April 5, 2018

On November 30, 2017 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released an interim final rule "Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains and Sodium Requirements, Volume 82, No 229, pages 56703–56723" addressing school meal flexibilities that State Agencies may offer to School Food Authorities (SFA) serving the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Special Milk Program (SMP). The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has decided to extend the menu planning flexibilities outlined in the interim final rule to SFAs in School year 2018-2019 (SY 18/19). The flexibilities include:

Whole Grain-Rich Requirement
- SFAs may submit Product Exemption Request(s) allowing the service of one or more specific non-whole grain-rich product(s). In order to qualify for an exemption, SFAs must demonstrate a hardship in procuring, preparing or serving compliant whole grain-rich products that are accepted by students using the attached form. SFAs that receive an approved exemption are considered compliant during an Administrative Review if their grain offerings are consistent with the exemption and at least half of the grains offered weekly are whole grain-rich. Any specific non-whole grain-rich products that are offered greater than half of the operating days during the week must also be offered alongside its whole grain-rich counterpart in order to satisfy the 50% or greater whole grain-rich requirement.
Low-Fat, Flavored Milk
- This Interim rule will allow NSLP, SBP and SMP operators to serve flavored, low-fat milk in SY18/19. Under this rule, operators are not required to demonstrate a reduction in student consumption or increase in milk waste, but are expected to incorporate this option into the weekly menu in a manner consistent with the dietary specifications for these programs. For consistency, SMP operators may serve flavored, low-fat milk to participants six years of age and older.
Sodium Limits:
- Sodium Target 1 (as defined in 7 CFR 210.10(f)(3) and 220.9(f)(3)) has been extended through SY18/19. Schools are encouraged to continue to work towards creating low sodium menus that students enjoy.

Compliance with Massachusetts' Nutrition Standards for Competitive Food and Beverage in Public Schools: In order to remain consistent with the regulations of Massachusetts' Nutrition Standards for Competitive Food and Beverage in Public Schools (as defined in 105 CMR 225.000), non-whole grain-rich and/or low-fat, flavored milk items may not be sold a la carte in public schools. SFAs must display signage for non-whole grain-rich and/or low-fat, flavored milk items informing students that these items are not available for sale a la carte. Process for waiver submission: Product Exemption Requests for SY18/19 will be accepted beginning on April 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Review the "Product Exemption Request SY18/19" form and instructions for specific guidance on submission. Questions or requests for guidance should be directed to the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs. DESE looks forward to working with SFAs on these flexibilities, as the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs strives to enhance the efficiency and quality of Child Nutrition Programs across the Commonwealth.

Product Exemption Request SY18/19

Last Updated: April 5, 2018