National School Lunch Program

With election of applicable waivers, current USDA flexibilities allow school food authorities (SFAs) the option to provide students learning remotely with access to meals on school days during the 2021-2022 School Year.

Waivers

Non-congregate Meal Service*

Waives the requirement for meals to be served and consumed by students at school and allows meals to be provided outside of school.

This memo can be found at http://www.cn.nysed.gov/common/cn/files/sp02_2022sfsp01_2022fedmicro.pdf.

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify School Food Authorities (SFAs) that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a recall of whole, fresh, red, white, and yellow onions, grown in Mexico, due to potential contamination of Salmonella Oranienburg.

This memorandum provides School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the federal Child Nutrition Programs with clarification regarding student eligibility carryover in the 2021-2022 School Year (SY).

Additional clarification regarding eligibility carryover for the 2022-2023 SY is forthcoming from USDA and will be posted to the Child Nutrition Knowledge Center (CNKC) when received.

Eligibility Carryover

The list of applicants that were selected to receive the FY 2020 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs) can be found in the link below. 

FY 2020 Equipment Grant Awards (EXCEL) (PDF) Revised 10/28/21

As schools plan for the upcoming school year, many are seeking to maximize nutrition for students during and beyond the school day. The At-Risk Afterschool Snack/Supper component of the NYS Department of Health’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides an opportunity to serve complete meals to students in enrichment programs after school, on weekends, and/or during school holidays throughout the regular school year.

Adult Selling Prices

Breakfast

• Schools that receive regular reimbursement for breakfast must charge a minimum of $2.08 plus tax for an adult breakfast meal.
• Schools that receive severe need reimbursement for breakfast must charge a minimum of $2.46 plus tax for an adult breakfast meal.

Lunch

• Schools that receive under 60% ($3.7199) for lunch must charge a minimum of $4.12 plus tax for an adult lunch.

The Child Nutrition Program Office is aware that School Food Authorities (SFAs) may be experiencing challenges regarding procuring distributors and receiving bid responses in preparation for the 2021-2022 school year, and that this causes great concern about the ability to acquire needed items.

This guidance outlines options available to SFAs encountering these difficulties.

A printer-friendly version of this memo can be found here.

Student Eligibility Carryover in the 2021-2022 SY

Original memo dated April 21, 2021.  Latest updates are indicated by double asterisks (**). 

Waivers and Flexibilities

The New York State Education Department (SED) has elected the use of the Nationwide waiver flexibilities provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for school year 2021-2022: