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National School Lunch Program

Guidance on Procurement Methods: Thresholds UPDATED

The purpose of this memo is to clarify the different types of procurement requirements school food authorities (SFAs) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors MUST follow when using funds from the non- profit foodservice account to purchase goods and services for the federal Child Nutrition Programs. Thresholds discussed in this guidance are current as of August 2018 and are subject to change.

 

Flexibilities in Nutrition Requirements

On May 1, 2017, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide greater flexibility to the federal meal pattern requirements for the purpose of making food choices both healthful and appealing to school age children.  The Secretary signed a formal proclamation that allows increased local decision and control regarding whole grains, sodium and milk.

Specifically:

Whole Grains

Required Application Process for Participation in the After-School Care Program (Snack) and Extended Day Snack Program

To ensure continued integrity in the Child Nutrition Programs, the New York State Education Department (SED) is requiring all School Food Authorities (SFAs) opting to participate in the After-School Snack Program or an Extended Day/Expanded Learning Time Program during the 2017-18 school year to complete a Program Addition Application.  Even if your SFA has had prior approval in past years to serve snacks in an After-School Snack Program or an Extended Day/Expanded Learning Time Program, you must re-apply for the 2017-18 school year.  

FY 2016 Food Service Equipment Grant Awards

The list of applicants that were selected to receive the FY 2016 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs) is below.

FY 2016 Equipment Grant Awards

The New York State Education Department (SED) received 570 applications for equipment requests which totaled approximately $5 million. SED was able to fund a total of 196 equipment grant awards to 143 Recipient Agencies (RA) in 56 School Food Authorities (SFA), totaling $1,677,198.

Northeast Farm to School Institute - Applications DUE March 7th

The Northeast Farm to School Institute is a year long school planning and professional development opportunity for twelve (4-6 members from schools/5-7 members from districts) teams from New England and New York. The Institute starts off with a three day retreat to Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT from June 26-28, 2018. 

To apply, go to the website (http://vtfeed.org/farm-school-institute) and submit an application by March 7th, 2018.

For additional information:

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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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