Food and Nutrition Programs

National School Lunch Program Administrative Review SY 2025 - 2026

The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, requires a unified accountability system designed to ensure participating school food authorities (SFAs) comply with National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) requirements. The Act also requires an accountability system that conducts Administrative Reviews (AR) to evaluate program requirements for NSLP and SBP.

The Child Nutrition Program Integrity final rule, published on August 23, 2023, provided State Agencies discretion to choose a review cycle longer than 3 years, but not to exceed 5 years, while targeting additional oversight to those SFAs most in need. State agencies that choose a review cycle longer than 3 years are required to identify high-risk SFAs and provide additional oversight to these SFAs and submit a plan to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for approval. State Agencies must conduct targeted follow-up reviews of SFAs designated as high-risk. The high-risk criteria that are outlined in regulations are as follows:

1. A 10 percent or greater certification and benefit issuance rate;
2. Incomplete verification for the review year;
3. One or more significant or systematic errors in Performance Standard 1;
4. One or more significant or systematic errors in Performance Standard 2; or
5. One or more significant or systematic errors in allowable costs.

In July 2025, USDA, FNS approved a 4-year review cycle for Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office for Food and Nutrition Programs. The administrative review cycle will cover July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029, specifically covering FY26, FY27, FY28, and FY29. All SFAs will receive at least one administrative review. SFAs meeting the high-risk criteria identified above, will receive targeted follow-up reviews required by USDA.

LIVE Technical Assistance — —Administrative Review Open House

Join FNP's administrative review team members during an open house to answer questions about the review process. The open house will not be recorded for later viewing.

• 2:00 PM: October 28, 2025

Questions about the live technical assistance can be directed to Denise.Courtney@mass.gov .

Program Compliance Training Tools:

• Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition On Demand Modules: An interactive online training series covering fundamental topics in the School Meal Programs.
• Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs Continuation Series: A series of recorded presentations focusing on performance standard 1 & 2 and financial management are available to provide SFA's with vital information and skills to improve program operations.
• Office Hours: If you have specific questions about program compliance in your district, join DESE Consultants for Office Hours on the third Tuesday of the month. Topic specific breakout rooms can answer questions or talk through compliance challenges you may be experiencing.

Administrative Review Schedule School Year 2025 — 2026:

Please refer to the list below for Local Educational Agency's (LEA's) scheduled for a NSLP Administrative in SY 2025-2026.

Due to deficiencies, complaints, or other information provided to the State agency, additional reviews may be added throughout the school year. Failure to adhere to deadlines provided throughout the review process may result in the temporary suspension of claims for reimbursement. Review staff will be in contact to schedule the review(s).