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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: 
Summer Food Service Program Operators
From: 
Child Nutrition Program Administration
Date: 
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Subject: 
Common Questions about Returning to Normal Operations

The availability of nationwide waiver flexibilities over the previous two summers allowed SFSP operators to provide meals when social distancing was integral to control the spread of COVID-19.

This summer, program operations are expected to return to pre-pandemic operations and congregate meal service is required. While NYSED has received USDA approval to grant waivers to allow for the non-congregate distribution of meals, the use of these waivers is restricted to only circumstances when congregate meal service is limited by COVID-19. More details on how to request these waivers, should the need arise, will be provided soon.

Please refer to the following resource provided by USDA which includes examples of common questions sponsors may receive from parents or guardians about changes in how their children receive meals this summer:

Common Questions about Returning to Normal Operations | Food and Nutrition Service 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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