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

Where can sign up to receive the most current information about Child Nutrition Programs in Massachusetts?

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