Friday, July 8, 2022
Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)
- Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team
Please read carefully. Important information below.
Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Important: USDA Summer 2022 Waiver Update
USDA released three additional waivers for Summer 2022 operations on July 6, 2022. School food authorities (SFAs) are required to apply for these waivers if they would like to use them. Complete the Summer 2022: SSO Waiver Request to opt into the non-congregate waivers below. You may start utilizing the waivers immediately. This waiver request is only for SFAs that wish to operate under the SSO. SFAs participating under the SFSP will receive a separate waiver request.
Additionally, there are reporting requirements for these waivers so you may be required to provide information about the use of these waivers at a later date.
If your SFA is not currently operating the National School Lunch Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for Summer 2022 and would like to, complete the Summer 2022: Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Application. By filling out the SSO application to participate, we are assuming this is also a request to participate in the area eligibility waiver. All summer serving sites are now eligible to participate in the SSO and serve free meals to all children. If your SFA has an approved contract for the SFSP, please continue with the SFSP.
COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #111-Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Feeding for Summer 2022 Operations - EXTENSION 7
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending the nationwide waiver to allow non-congregate meal service in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through September 30, 2022 for Summer 2022 operations.
COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #112-Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children for Summer 2022 Operations - EXTENSION 7
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending the nationwide waiver to allow parents and guardians to pick up meals for children in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through September 30, 2022 for Summer 2022 operations. A non-congregate waiver needs to be in place for parents/guardians to be able to pick up meals on their behalf.
School food authorities (SFAs) opting to use these flexibilities must have a plan for maintaining accountability and program integrity. This includes putting processes in place to ensure that meals are distributed only to parents or guardians of eligible children and that duplicate meals are not distributed to any child.
COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #113-Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions for Summer 2022 Operations - EXTENSION 4
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is extending the nationwide waiver to allow meal service operations outside of the standard meal service times in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) through September 30, 2022 for Summer 2022 operations.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Do serving sites have to meet area eligibility requirements (i.e., serve at least 50% of students that are eligible for free or reduced-price meals or be located in an eligible census area) to qualify for the SSO and SFSP?
A1: No, Child Nutrition Response #107, Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers for Summer 2022 Operations, released June 30, 2022, waives all area eligibility requirements for the SSO and SFSP. Sites may operate the SSO or SFSP if they do not meet area eligibility requirements.
Q2: Should our School Food Authority operate SFSP or SSO?
A2: If your School Food Authority does not have an approved SFSP contract, you must operate the SSO. Important: Your SFA must complete the Summer 2022: Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Application to operate the SSO.
Q3: Are meal counts taken by child name required for the SSO or SFSP?
A3: No, meal counts do not need to be taken by child name. Meal count checkoff sheets are acceptable when completed at the point of service.
Q4: When can our SFA use the non-congregate feeding waivers?
A4: The non-congregate feeding waivers may be used to send meals home with children, allow for pick up of meals or delivery of meals to children’s homes. The serving site does not need to be closed due to COVID outbreak or be located within a county with a high COVID incidence rate to use these waivers. This is a change from guidance provided earlier this summer. Important: Your SFA must complete the Summer 2022: SSO Waiver Request to utilize the non-congregate feeding waivers.
Q5: For meals served during summer school in June, may our SFA retroactively participate in the SSO, claiming all meals as free and refund paid or reduced-priced families who purchased meals in June?
A5: We are awaiting further guidance from the USDA on whether the SSO can be retroactively applied to summer service in June. Please wait to submit your June claim until we have received this guidance from the USDA.
Q6: Do these waivers (area eligibility and non-congregate feeding) apply to the 2022-23 school year?
A6: No, these waivers only apply to Summer 2022 service. Your SFA should plan to resume service under the traditional National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program at the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
Direct Certification Rollover - Update
IT staff expect Direct Certification to be ready for SFAs to begin uploading student match files by the close of business on Friday July 8. Thank you for your patience while the system undergoes annual maintenance and rollover.
----------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563