Food and Nutrition Programs

Program Resources: Income Eligibility Guidance, Special Dietary Needs Guidance, New Procurement Requirements and Homeless Liaison Guidance

To:	School Food Service Directors
From:	Kathleen C. Millett, Administrator, Nutrition, Health and Safety
Date:	February 12, 2008

In this mailing you will find resource information to address many of the inquiries we have received this year. In addition, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a new rule related to procurement. We will have training dates issued in separate correspondence. Income Eligibility Guidance-Many times schools/districts have questions on special circumstances related to the approval of free and reduced price meal applications. Procedures to approve these applications and information on special circumstances relating to these approvals are addressed in the "Eligibility Manual For School Meals" which has been updated and available at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notices/iegs/EligibilityManual.pdf. Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs- Questions arise regarding the service of children with food allergies and other special dietary needs in schools. These issues are addressed in the Massachusetts Department of Education's publication, "Managing Life Threatening Food Allergies in Schools" available at www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/allergy.pdf and the USDA Guidance, "Accommodating Children with Special Dietary Needs in School Nutrition Programs" on line at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Guidance/accommodating_children.doc. Final Rule-Procurement Requirements for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk Programs-New procurement requirements can be found at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/regulations/Proc Rule 10-07/. The enclosed memo from the Administrator of Nutrition, Health and Safety, Kathleen C. Millett, identifies the key highlights of the final rule. Homeless Liaison Guidance (For Public School Districts Only)-Please refer to enclosed letter from Associate Commissioner, John L. Bynoe.

Last Updated: March 12, 2008