National School Lunch Program
Resources for Providing Meals during COVID-19 School Closures
The New York State Education Department encourages School Food Authorities and Summer Food Service Program Sponsors currently operating the Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch Program or the Summer Food Service Program, to utilize available resources, such as the those listed below, to support children’s access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).
60-Day Claim Deadline Waiver
Guidance related to CNP Operations during COVID-19 School Closures
The United States Department of Agriculture has released the following sets of Questions and Answers related to Child Nutrition Programs operations during COVID-19 school closures:
WEBINAR POSTED: CNP Waivers Available During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
This recorded webinar is now posted in the Webinar Library (click here).
CNP Waivers Available
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) urges School Food Authorities and Summer Food Service Program Sponsors currently operating the Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch Program or the Summer Food Service Program, hereafter referred to as Program operators, to apply for any applicable temporary waiver established by the United States Department of Agriculture to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID–19).
Noncompetitive Procurements Resulting from a Public Emergency
The Child Nutrition Program Office reminds all Child Nutrition Program operators of the flexibilities provided by Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 200.320(f)(2), noncompetitive procurements resulting from a public emergency. A noncompetitive proposal is a procurement method used when competition is deemed inadequate or impossible due to public exigency or emergency.
Operating CNP when Schools are Closed due to COVID-19
School Food Authorities (SFA) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors may provide reimbursable meals to low-income children during school closures related to COVID-19. Upon Child Nutrition’s approval of their application, schools may provide up to two meals per day per child through the SFSP or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP. Meals may be provided and consumed at schools or other locations in the community or provided for consumption at home.
Child Nutrition Program NYS Waiver Requests
The New York State Education Department (SED) has requested a waiver from USDA for regulations 7 CFR 210.7, 220.9 and 225.9(d)(7) to allow School Food Authorities and Summer Food Service Program Sponsors additional reimbursement for costs necessary to provide meals and meal supplements with appropriate safety measures to help minimize potential exposure to COVID-19 while schools are closed.
The waiver has not been approved at this time. Further guidance will be made available upon approval.
Local School Wellness Policy and Triennial Assessment
Local education agencies (LEAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program were required to develop a local school wellness policy and have this policy in place by July 1, 2017. An assessment of this policy must be conducted at a minimum of once every three years. Therefore, the first triennial assessment must be completed by June 30, 2020.
FY19 NSLP Equipment Grant
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY19 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs).
RFP GC20-021 is posted at the Grants Administered by NYSED webpage:
