Wisconsin Child Nutrition Programs

Prospective Waivers for Non-Congregate Meal Service due to Unanticipated Building Closures Approved through June 30, 2026

On July 16, 2025, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved DPI's statewide waiver requests to allow non-congregate meal operations due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to building safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the DPI, for a similar unanticipated cause. The DPI may not approve a waiver for more than 10 consecutive operating days without USDA approval. In situations that may warrant longer approval periods, USDA will work closely with DPI to determine if an extension is needed.

Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option (School buildings are closed with no virtual learning)

• Non-congregate Meal Service
• Meal Service Times
• Parent and Guardian Meal Pickup
• Service of Meals at School Sites during Unanticipated School Closures

National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (School buildings are closed with virtual learning)

• Non-congregate Meal Service
• Meal Service Times
• Parent and Guardian Meal Pickup
• Over Versus Serve (NSLP only)

Child and Adult Care Food Program (Buildings are closed for child care centers, adult day care centers, emergency shelters, day care homes, outside-school-hours care centers, and/or at-risk afterschool sites)

• Non-congregate Meal Service
• Meal Service Times
• Parent and Guardian Meal Pickup
• Enrichment Activity (at-risk component only)

If your agency is experiencing any of the above situations, please reach out to us at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov to discuss the issue and to apply for the waivers needed.

CACFP FDCH Sponsoring Organization Unscheduled Virtual Monitoring Waiver Approved through September 30, 2026

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requested on behalf of the Wisconsin CACFP Family Day Care Home (FDCH) sponsoring organizations a waiver to conduct one of the three required monitoring reviews offsite due to required staff travel and provider retention.

USDA approved the waiver with the inclusion of the following integrity provisions. The DPI is approved to:

• Permit sponsoring organizations in good standing to conduct one annual monitoring review offsite;
• Require that at least one onsite monitoring review of each FDCH provider be unannounced and at least one onsite monitoring review include a meal service observation; and
• Require that the offsite review includes an unscheduled phone or video call to complete the review.

The waiver requires eligible CACFP sponsoring organizations to submit monitoring plans that include:

• Description of agency’s unscheduled offsite monitoring procedures;
• How technology solutions will be utilized to perform monitoring reviews;
• How technology solutions will be utilized to provide technical assistance;
• How monitors will address providers that missed unscheduled reviews; and
• How monitoring staff will address any serious deficiency determinations.

Prior to implementing the waiver, the DPI must review and provide written approval of the offsite monitoring plan.

Submit the FFY 2026 FDCH Sponsor Unscheduled Offsite Monitoring Plan to apply.

Questions about this waiver opportunity can be sent to cnt@dpi.wi.gov.