Recap on SY2021-22 Waivers

The USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) division extended nationwide waivers just in time for the 2021-2022 school year. For many school districts and families, it’s a sigh of relief: Another year of guaranteed meals for students and more time for district administrators to regroup and readjust post-pandemic.

It’s the mission of FNS to “support a successful school reopening,” in a way that will help to ”to increase funding, support access, and balance operational needs with the goal of providing nutritious meals.”

Whether you’re an SFA or a State Agency, here’s the latest recap on Nationwide Waivers for School Year 2021-2022:

Meal Service

• Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year 2021-2022“Allowing school food authorities to participate under SSO during COVID–19 operations during the regular school year facilitates the safe provision of meals by eliminating the need to collect meal payments, including cash payments, at meal sites.”
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in School Year 2021-2022“Allowing school food authorities to claim SSO meals and snacks at the SFSP reimbursement rates will provide additional funding to offset the costs associated with providing a safe meal service.”
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Meal Service for School Year 2021-2022“Non-congregate feeding flexibilities provide schools and child care operators the opportunity to provide meal pick-up options for students learning virtually, and also facilitate grab-and-go meals for students in school. This waiver is effective July 1, 2021, and remains in effect through June 30, 2022. FNS also extends the non-congregate feeding flexibilities to the Seamless Summer Option for the duration of this waiver.”
• Nationwide Waiver of Meal Time Requirements for School Year 2021-2022“This waiver is for the purpose of implementing appropriate safety measures by supporting alternative meal service models and social distancing in child nutrition programs.”
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for School Year 2021-2022“Program operators in a state with an approved waiver allowing non-congregate meal distribution during COVID–19 operations may distribute meals to a parent or guardian to take home to their children.”

Meal Pattern Flexibility

• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for School Year 2021-2022“FNS is committed to supporting schools in serving the most nutritious meals possible as they transition back to normal school meal program operations during the upcoming school year.”
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for School Year 2021-2022“FNS expects local operators to meet the meal standards to the best of their ability, but recognizes that, in some situations, it might not be possible to meet every component of the meal pattern requirements. FNS is committed to supporting CACFP providers in serving the most nutritious meals possible as they transition back to normal program operations during the upcoming year.” 
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibility for Senior High Schools in School Year 2021-2022“FNS recognizes that for school year 2021-2022, waiving the offer versus serve requirement will support safe access to nutritious meals.”

Area Eligibility

• Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for Family Day Care Home Providers in School Year 2021-2022“This waiver allows schools, regardless of their location, to claim all afterschool snacks at the free rate. It allows at-risk afterschool care centers, regardless of their location, to apply to participate in the CACFP and claim all meals and snacks at the free rate.”

Monitoring

• Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – EXTENSION 3“Please note that to ensure program integrity during this time, state agencies and SFAs should continue monitoring activities of program operations offsite (e.g., through a desk audit). State agencies that choose to conduct the onsite portion of the administrative review at a later time should submit an amendment to any previously provided documentation when significant changes or updates occur.”
• Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Child and Adult Care Food Program – EXTENSION 3“Please note that to ensure program integrity during this time, state agencies should continue monitoring activities of program operations offsite (e.g., through a desk audit). This waiver is effective immediately, and remains in effect until 30 days after the end of the public health emergency.”
• Nationwide Waiver of Monitoring Requirements for Sponsors in the Child and Adult Care Food Program – EXTENSION“Sponsoring organizations should continue monitoring activities of program operations offsite (e.g., through a desk audit). This waiver is effective immediately, and remains in effect until 30 days after the end of the public health emergency.”

As we all transition back to “normal” operations, both at home and work, these waivers provide much needed assistance to help our schools and families get there. Here’s to a great summer and an even better school year! 

For more information, please visit the FNS website.