National School Lunch Program
Waiver Request Notification: Annual CEP Deadline
The New York State Education Department has requested the following waiver from the annual Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) deadline from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS):
Accepting Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians
The full USDA memo SP 07-2025, CACFP 07-2025 can be found here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/requirement-accept-medical-statements-regist...
Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements
The full USDA memo can be found here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/labeling/guidance-accepting-processed-produc....
Fees for Electronic Payment Services in the School Meal Programs
The full USDA memo can be found here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/electronic-payments-fees.
DCMP Update
The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED’s) direct certification matching process (DCMP) system is completely populated with July, August, and September SNAP and Medicaid data and all matching features in the system are now fully functional.
Roster Upload for Bulk Search
School Food Authorities (SFAs) using the DCMP system’s Bulk Search feature, should re-upload any rosters originally uploaded before October 15, 2024, as these rosters were removed from the system.
Fluid Milk Requirements for School Meals
On April 25, 2024, FNS published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (89 FR 31962). The rule finalized practical, science-based, long-term school nutrition requirements based on the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, extensive partner input, and lessons learned from prior rulemakings.
School Food System Transformation Grant
School Food System Transformation Grant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new School Food System Transformation Grant that will provide up to $8.5 million in total funding to foster partnerships that improve school food systems and food options available to students. Applications are due on December 13, 2024.
Unanticipated School Closure
The New York State Education Department (SED) has been approved for State-level waiver authority from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow School Food Authorities the ability to utilize meal operational flexibilities and non-congregate meal service in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), when an unanticipated school closure occurs due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or similar unanticipat
BrucePac Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
This full recall can be found by clicking here. The Product Images and Distribution List can also be found in the recall
Net Cash Resources, Excess Fund Balance Limits and Annual Financial Reporting
Federal regulations state that SFAs must limit their net cash resources (fund balance) to an amount that does not exceed three months’ average operating expenditures for their nonprofit food service account. Effective July 1, 2024, USDA has approved the New York State Education Department (SED) to increase the net cash resource limitation to six months average operating expenditures. SED will ensure compliance with net cash resources through annual reviews of SFAs' financial data.
