Summer Food Service Program

The New York State Education Department (SED) has requested a waiver from USDA for all SFAs participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program from the requirements in Section 19b of the National School Lunch Act [42 U.S. C. 1769a] requiring schools participating in the program to make free fresh fruits and vegetables available “to students” throughout the school day. This will allow parents/guardians to pick up the fresh fruit and vegetables on behalf of their children at non-congregate meal distribution locations.

The New York State Education Department (SED) has requested a waiver from USDA for regulation 7 CFR 225.6(e)(15) to allow meals to be served in non-congregate settings as necessary, to ensure Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors can continue to focus on providing meals and meal supplements safely to children.

The New York State Education Department (SED), Office of Child Nutrition Program Administration, will host a live webinar to provide guidance on recent updates to the Child Nutrition Programs. SED will present information on the most recent flexibilities provided to operators due to COVID-19 school closures, the transition to summer operations, and answer operator’s frequently asked questions.

SSO

The Emergency Claiming Instructions for SSO meals served during COVID-19 closures are now available.

SFSP

The Emergency COVID-19 Claim Instructions for Sponsors are now available.

The New York State Education Department (SED), Office of Child Nutrition Program Administration, will host a live webinar to provide guidance on claiming meals served during COVID-19 school closures.

SED is committed to providing on-going training and technical assistance to Child Nutrition Program operators. The webinar will be recorded and accessible on the Child Nutrition website, cn.nysed.gov, after the live version has concluded. Visit the Child Nutrition website regularly for the most up to date information and training schedules.

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).

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: 

This recorded webinar is now posted in the Webinar Library (click here).

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).

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.