School Nutrition Bulletin 1920-16

Announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Nutrition Team

 

Schools participating in any combination of the following School Nutrition Programs, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASSP), and Special Milk Program (SMP), must renew their contracts online each year.

Beginning May 1, you will no longer be able to make online changes to your SY 2019-20 (current SY) contracts. The online portal for SY 2020-21 contract renewal will open on Tuesday, May 5 and remain open until Monday, June 8, 2020. Please make sure you read the Contract Renewal Memo for important information and the updated Permanent Agreement/Policy Statement, found on the School Nutrition Contracts webpage.

 

Action required by all School Food Authorities (SFAs): SFAs are required to complete this Paid Lunch Equity Survey before June 8, 2020. This survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete and will serve as documentation on how pricing SFAs intend to comply with the guidance described below.

 

Note: Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs), SFAs participating in Provision 2, participating in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) SFA-wide, or are non-pricing (do not charge for meals) should complete the Paid Lunch Equity Survey, but do not complete the Paid Lunch Equity Tool.

 

In Section 747 of Division B of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (P.L. 116-94) (the Appropriations Act), enacted on December 20, 2019, Congress provides that only SFAs that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2019, shall be required to establish prices for paid lunches according to the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) provisions in Section 12(p) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1760(p) and implemented in National School Lunch Program regulations at 7 CFR 210.14(e).

Consistent with the terms of the Appropriations Act, this memorandum provides notice that any SFA with a positive or zero balance in its nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2019, is exempt from PLE pricing requirements found at 7 CFR 210.14(e) for school year (SY) 2020-21. SFAs that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2019, must follow PLE requirements when establishing their prices for paid lunches in SY 2020-21.

 

SFAs that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2019, must follow PLE requirements when establishing their prices for paid lunches in SY 2020-21.

IMPORTANT: We would like to emphasize that SFAs still maintain the option to complete the steps necessary to determine their target SY 2020-21 paid lunch price, consistent with program regulations at 7 CFR 210.14, and adjust their paid meal prices accordingly.

 

Pricing SFAs with a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2019, must complete the SY 2020-21 PLE Tool to establish prices for paid lunches for SY 2020-21.

Pricing SFAs with zero or positive balances may want to consider completing, at a minimum, the “Unrounded Requirement Finder” tab of the SY 2020-21 PLE Tool, located on the School Nutrition Team Financial Management webpage. The completion of this tab on the PLE Tool ensures that SFAs have the minimal amount of paid lunch price data needed to inform the calculation moving forward should they ever need to complete the PLE Tool in the future.

 

State agencies are required to demonstrate oversight of the PLE provision and maintain documentation that includes a record showing each SFA implementing the exemption had a positive or zero balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2019.

All SFAs are required to complete the online Paid Lunch Equity Survey, and we have structured the PLE Survey to also act as your SFA's PLE Exemption Form, depending on your response. If you know your nonprofit school food service account balance as of December 31, 2019, you should be able to complete and submit the online form in less than 5 minutes.

Once you submit the PLE Survey/Exemption Form, you will be sent a copy of your responses via email for your records.

 

A1. The PLE Survey (which also acts as your SFA’s PLE Exemption Form) is a requirement for all pricing SFAs. Failure to complete this form will delay approval of your online contract and possibly result in a claims withholding.

 

Q2. My SFA has completed the PLE Survey. Is there a separate exemption form?

A2. No, the results of the PLE Survey will also serve as the PLE Exemption Form record, based on your response.

 

Q3. When should the online PLE Exemption Form be submitted by?

A3. The PLE Survey (which is also the PLE Exemption Form) should be completed by June 8, 2020.

 

Q4. My SFA is a CEP mixed district. Do I need to complete the PLE Survey/Exemption Form?

A4. Yes. SFAs that are CEP mixed districts will need to complete the PLE Survey.

 

Q5. If we plan to use the PLE Tool and will not apply for a PLE exemption, does my SFA still complete the PLE Survey?

A5. Yes, all SFAs need to complete the PLE Survey/Exemption Form.

 

Q6. Do I need to keep the email that provides a copy of my responses to the PLE Survey/Exemption Form?

A6. Yes. This is considered a record which documents compliance and is subject to record keeping requirements (3 years plus the current year).

 

Q7: Our SFA will update our Online Contract for SY 2020-21 in May. If the PLE Survey/Exemption Form supports and documents that our agency qualifies for the PLE exemption, what should be uploaded into the Online Contract where a copy of the PLE Tool is requested?

A7: When your SFA qualifies for the PLE exemption (because your SFA had a zero or positive balance), and you have indicated that your SFA is not completing the PLE Tool, do not upload anything where the PLE Tool is requested. If your SFA did not qualify for an exemption, or if your SFA elected to still complete the PLE Tool and increase prices accordingly, the PLE Tool must be uploaded into the SY 2020-21 Online Contract.

 

Q8. My SFA is non-pricing (district-wide CEP, Provision 2, or do not charge for any meals). Do I need to complete the PLE Survey/Exemption Form?

A8. Yes, all SFAs need to complete the PLE Survey/Exemption Form.

 

Q9. My SFA will be completing the PLE Tool. Is the PLE Tool posted online?

A9. Yes. You can access it online. When you click on the PLE Tool SY 20-21, an excel icon will pop up in the lower left of your screen. Be sure to click on the “Enable Editing” button for the Excel sheet to appear.

 

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) application period for SY 2020-21 deadline is May 1, 2020. Schools with high free/reduced price eligibility, or Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) equivalent, will be given priority for this grant. Each school interested in participating in the FFVP is required to submit an application and signed agreement form. Please see the FFVP webpage for a link to the grant application, agreement form, application instructions, and the USDA FFVP Handbook.

Questions regarding this funding opportunity should be directed to:

Claire Koenig or Michelle Zvonar, FFVP Coordinators at FFVP@dpi.wi.gov.

 

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This is a communication from the WI Department of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Team.
You can contact the School Nutrition Team at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov. To subscribe to schoolmealsnews, please send an email to dpifns@dpi.wi.gov.
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