Welcome to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Community Nutrition, School Nutrition, and Team Nutrition Home Page. Staff members provide nutrition information and program guidance to sponsors of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, Special Milk Program, USDA Foods Program among others. The Teams are also responsible for a variety of nutrition education initiatives that involve collaboration with other state agencies, UW-Extension, and regional and statewide child nutrition advocacy groups.
Wisconsin Statewide Waivers
Public Notification of Waiver Requests
Prospective Waivers for Non-Congregate Meal Service due to Unanticipated School Closures Approved through June 30, 2025
On August 7, 2024, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved DPI's statewide waiver requests to allow non-congregate meals service, parent and guardian meal pick up, meal service times, and service of meals at schools during unanticipated school closures due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the DPI, for a similar unanticipated cause
These waivers are approved for all NSLP, SBP, CACFP (at-risk afterschool component only) when school buildings are closed with virtual learning.
These waivers are approved all SFSP and SSO sponsors due to unanticipated school closures when schools are closed with no virtual learning.
Offer Verses Serve (NSLP)
Waiver of the requirements to serve school lunches to senior high school students using offer versus serve. FNS also extends the offer versus serve flexibility to SSO for the duration of this waiver when there is an unanticipated school closure during the school year.
Enrichment Activity (CACFP)
Waiver the requirement to serve afterschool meals and snacks in a structured and supervised environment, with an educational or enrichment activity.
If your agency is experiencing any of the above situations, please reach out to us at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov.
CACFP FDCH Sponsoring Organization Virtual Monitoring Waiver Approved through September 30, 2025
The DPI received waiver approval from USDA to allow CACFP FDCH sponsoring organizations in good standing to conduct one of the three required annual monitoring reviews offsite for FDCH providers that have not been seriously deficient in the past 12 months per Program year. At least two on-site reviews must be unannounced with at least one including a meal observation.
FDCH Sponsors interested in participating in this waiver will need to submit this offsite monitoring plan to DPI for review and approval.
Questions about this waiver opportunity can be sent to cnt@dpi.wi.gov.
2025 Summer Coordinated Services Plan Waiver Approved through January 1, 2026
On December 18, 2024, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved the Department of Health Service and Department of Public Instruction's 2025 Summer Coordinated Services Plan waiver request to defer the January 1, 2025, compliance date for one year.
Refer to the Summer Meal Program Choices for Schools program options.
USDA Non-Discrimination 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.
05/2022