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National School Lunch Program

Waiver Request Notification: Ramadan

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is requesting to waive National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requirements at 42 U.S.C. 1753(b)(1)(A) and 1758(a)(3), and under Program regulations at 7 CFR sections 210.10(e) and 210.10(l), and School Breakfast Program (SBP) requirements at 42 U.S.C. 1773(b)(1)(A), and under Program regulations at 7 CFR 220.8(l), to allow school food authorities to offer non-congregate school meals to students fasting during Ramadan in school year (SY) 2025-2026.

Clarification on 30-Day Carryover for Provision 2 Schools

Clarification on 30-Day Carryover for Provision 2 Schools

This memo serves to clarify that a 30-day carryover period is allowed for schools operating Provision 2 in their initial base-year. Carryover refers to a child’s eligibility from the previous school year being carried over into the current or new school year. In accordance with 7 CFR 245.6(c)(2), an individual student’s eligibility from the previous school year carries over for up to 30 operating days into the new school year, or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first.

Base Year P2 SFAs: 25-26 SY Income Verification Procedures

School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) that are operating in the Base Year of Provision 2, in one or more schools, are required to select and verify a sample of their approved free and reduced-price meal applications on file as of October 1st by November 15th of this year. This process is called Income Verification and is a federal requirement that will ensure meal claims are based on accurate eligibility determinations.

Non-public SFA SY Calendar Submission

All non-public School Food Authorities (SFAs) are required to submit their established school year calendar by Recipient Agency (RA) to the Child Nutrition Program Administration office (CN) each school year. Residential Childcare Institutions (RCCI) are exempt from this process.

The 2025-2026 school year runs from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. Calendars for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted via email to cn@nysed.gov by September 30, 2025.

25-26 SY 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

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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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