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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of P-20 Education Policy
Child Nutrition Program Administration
89 Washington Avenue, Room 375 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 473-8781 Fax: (518) 473-0018
To: 
School Food Service Directors/Managers
From: 
Child Nutrition Program Administration
Date: 
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Subject: 
Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessment Extension Request

At least once every three years, School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch (NSLP) and/ or School Breakfast Program (SBP) are required to assess their SFAs compliance with the local school wellness policy, and make assessment results available to the public. 

Based on the July 1, 2017 implementation date of the local school wellness policy regulations, the first triennial assessments are due June 30, 2020.  However, in light of the current public health emergency, providing a revised deadline for completion of these requirements is vital to ensure SFAs can continue to focus on providing meals and meal supplements safely to children.

SFAs required to complete a triennial assessment by June 30, 2020, may choose to accept the new regulatory deadline and instead complete their first assessment by June 30, 2021.  If elected, these SFAs then would submit a second triennial assessment by June 30, 2024.  

SFAs prepared to complete their triennial assessment by June 30, 2020, are encouraged to complete their assessments as planned.  If you have already conducted an assessment since the July 1, 2017 implementation date of your SFA local wellness policy or you are not required to complete a triennial assessment by June 30, 2020, you do not need to request an extension.  

If you would like to accept the new deadline, you must complete the request form found here by June 30, 2020.

More information regarding local school wellness policies and the triennial assessment can be found here.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Click here for Nondiscrimination Statement translations.

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