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Food and Nutrition Programs

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Nutrition Programs News Headlines
05/01/2023Districts and Schools Eligible and Potentially Eligible to Participate in Community Eligibility Provision in 2023-2024 School Year
04/25/2023Questions and Answers for 2023 SFSP Operational Guidance: Non-congregate meal service in rural sites
04/10/2023FY23 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Training Opportunities
04/10/2023Food Service Management Company Contract Renewal Procedures
03/31/2023Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Deadlines
03/20/2023Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Massachusetts Schools with at least 50% of Student Enrollment Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals in Child Nutrition Programs
02/10/2023Northeast Food for Schools Funding Opportunity
02/07/2023School Year 2023-2024 USDA Foods Ordering & Commitment Forms
01/25/2023Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funds — Round 2 Questions and Answers
01/12/2023School Meal Access for Early College Learners
01/09/2023FY23 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Winter Training Opportunities (January–April 2023)
12/22/202212/22/2022 UPDATE: Choking Prevention Policy: Nutrition for Young Children (Under the age of four)
12/06/2022Civil Rights Complaint Policy & Procedures for Sponsoring Organizations of Child Nutrition Programs
11/07/2022CACFP Policy: Prorated Site Monitoring Schedule for Sponsoring Organizations
09/26/2022Affordable Connectivity Program
09/23/2022National School Lunch Program Administrative Review and Procurement Review Process Preparation for Schools Scheduled for an Administrative Review in SY 2022-2023
09/02/2022Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during School Year 2022/2023
08/31/2022School Meal Service Questions and Answers for School Year 2022–2023
08/15/2022Permanent Agreements for the Child Nutrition Program Sponsors
08/09/2022National School Nutrition Programs Reimbursement Rates for Fiscal Year 2023
08/03/2022CACFP Policy for Annual Application Renewal
08/03/2022CACFP Policy for Active Participation
08/02/2022*REVISED*: School Year (SY) 2022-2023 Massachusetts Meal Benefit Household Application Packet Now Available
07/06/2022USDA Foods — Availability Update, Brown Box FCFS, Bonus DoD Funds, Processing Pounds, Warehouse Contracts, & Assessment Fees
07/01/2022School Meals Communication Plan for School Year 2022-2023
06/28/2022Use of the Nondiscrimination Statement on Public Communications (State Guidance issued June 28, 2022)
03/24/2022Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funds Questions and Answers
02/28/2022An Act Promoting Student Nutrition (2 of 2) — Student Unpaid Meal Debt
02/28/2022An Act Promoting Student Nutrition (1 of 2) — New Requirements Related to Special Provisions
01/14/2022An Act Regarding Breakfast After the Bell (FY 23)
09/28/2021Meal Modifications in Child Nutrition Programs (State Guidance issued September 28, 2021)
08/05/2021Taglines and Providing Meaningful Access to the Child Nutrition Program (State Guidance issued August 5, 2021)

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Given the Impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), What Has Changed about the Operation of the Child Nutrition Programs?

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is focused on ensuring America's families are safe, secure, and healthy during this national emergency. USDA is granting states significant program flexibilities and contingencies to best serve program participants. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)'s Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) is working with Local School Food Authorities to implement these flexibilities and ensure children in the commonwealth have access to school meals.

Has the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) requested that any regulatory requirements be waived for Child Nutrition Programs operating in Massachusetts?

Yes. To date, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not have nationwide waiver authority to extend certain waivers into summer 2022 and School Year (SY) 2022-2023. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) expects that flexibilities under the waivers in this section will only be implemented by Program operators when congregate meal service is limited by the COVID-19 pandemic. MA DESE, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) is seeking a waiver for the following regulations.

Last Updated: May 2, 2023

 
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