Child Nutrition Program COVID-19 Information

USDA Guidance

FNS issued guidance on meal delivery using existing authorities in summer meal programs

USDA Waivers of Program Requirements

• SFSP and SSO Non-congregate Feeding Waiver Approval
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Service Time Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition Programs
• Nationwide Waiver of the Activity Requirement in Afterschool Care Child Nutrition Programs
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs
• Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children
• Nationwide Waiver of Community Eligibility Provision Deadlines in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
• Public Notification of Waiver Requests

USDA Memos

• SP 08-2020 Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks
• SP 08-2020 Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks Questions and Answer

USDA Guidance

FNS issued guidance on meal delivery using existing authorities in summer meal programs

DPI Guidance

• Q&A on operating the USDA Child Nutrition Programs during COVID-19
• Wisconsin Agencies Serving During COVID-19 Unanticipated School Closure
• SFSP vs. SSO Decision Flow Chart
• For more information visit the SSO webpage
• For more information visit the SFSP webpage

DPI Waivers of Program Requirements

• CACFP Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver Application
• CACFP Nationwide Waiver Application
• SSO Nationwide Waiver Application
• SFSP Nationwide Waiver Application
• Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver (School's Only)

Wisconsin School and Community Nutrition Programs have been provided the option to continue to provide reimbursable meals to children during closures related to the COVID-19 virus. The following outlines the steps that School Food Authorities (SFA), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) facilities must take to be approved to operate during a closure. SFAs have the option to select the SFSP or the SSO. Free and reduced eligibility thresholds for the SFSP and SSO sites do not apply in this circumstance.

• Providing meals during a closure/dismissal
  • Definition of closure/dismissal: closing the center/school and sending all the children and staff home. In a dismissal, the center/school may stay open for staff while the children stay home. We will use the term dismissal for purposes of closure and dismissal.
  • USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) may waive the requirement at 7 CFR 225.6(e)(15) and 7 CFR 226.29(b)(6)(iii), that meals be served and consumed in a congregate setting.
  • FNS may waive the requirements at 7 CFR 225.6(d)(1)(iv) limiting the operation of the SFSP or SSO during an unexpected dismissal during the school year to non-school sites.
  • FNS may waive the requirements at 7 CFR 210.10(1), 220.8(1), 225.16(c)(1) and (2) allowing State agencies to adjust the time of meal service as addressed at 226.20(k), including suspension of meal times as needed in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, during the public health emergency.
  • FNS may also waive the requirements at 7 CFR 210.10(o)(1)(ii) and 7 CRF 226.17a(b)(1)(ii) and (iii), allowing eligible schools and at-risk afterschool care centers to serve afterschool meals and snacks without an educational or enrichment activity during this public health emergency.
  • It is not mandatory that SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors provide meals during a dismissal; however, SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors are encouraged to ensure that the needs of low-income children are met during extended dismissals.
  • The SSO COVID-19 waiver “is targeted to children who attend schools that have been dismissed due to COVID-19. However, in eligible areas, meals may be served to all children 18 and under in the household if at least one child attends a dismissed school.”
• Ways to inform families of availability of meals
  • Wisconsin Child Nutrition Programs encourage SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors to use your standard methods of communication to inform households of the availability and location of meals during closures related to COVID-19. Such methods may include social media, emails, texts, and phone calls.
• Ideas of Non-Congregate Meal Delivery
  • Consider ways to deliver meals to households, such as:
    • serving meals out of a drive thru area at the school/center,
    • using delivery trucks to deliver to remote sites,
    • delivering meals along the bus route using school buses, or
    • delivering a lunch meal along with a breakfast pack for the next day to provide two meals at once.
• Shelf-Stable Menu Item Ideas SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors who need to provide shelf-stable meals for food safety concerns or lack of available product may consider these options.
• Ways to use WI-Processed Products SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors who need creative ideas for how to use their WI-Processed products.
• Food Safety
  • If serving meals at a school or center, SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors should continue to follow their food safety plan and the standard operating procedures (SOP) for that site.
  • If serving meals at a non-school meal distribution site, SFAs, SFSP and CACFP sponsors should create an SOP detailing specific food safety practices. A DPI template is available.
  • Refer to the Food Safety Tips for more information.
• Closing Instructions
  • If you are a SFA, that is closing, notify the DPI at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov.

No Kid Hungry is offering real time funding and assistance for schools, early child care centers and community organizations that are making sure kids have access to the meals they need as schools close due to coronavirus. No Kid Hungry is providing emergency grants to support these local efforts like home delivered meals, grab and go meals programs, school and community pantries, backpack programs, and other steps to help reach children and families who lose access to meals. We’re providing $1 million in emergency grants on a rolling basis. This is the first phase of an ongoing multi-million dollar response. Please visit the linked COVID-19 support inquiry form to learn more.

If your organization needs funding to support these efforts, please submit your interest in receiving emergency grant funds: