School Nutrition Bulletin 2021-18

This memorandum includes questions and answers intended to provide clarification on the operation of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) during implementation of alternative Child Nutrition Program operations throughout school year (SY) 2020-2021 due to the continued novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.

 

The Secretary has broad authority for the administration of the FFVP, as permitted under section 19 of the National School Lunch Act (NSLA) [42 U.S.C. 1769a]. FNS recognizes that local Program operators are practicing social distancing, and working to limit the amount of time children spend congregating at meal and snack service sites. Therefore, based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency due to the novel coronavirus, and pursuant to existing statutory authority, FNS is exercising its enforcement discretion to allow the following flexibilities in the operation of the FFVP. Please note, these flexibilities are effective for SY 2020-2021, and remain in effect until June 30, 2021.

 

New features are now available on the Professional Standards Training Tracker Tool (PSTTT). Team Nutrition appreciates receiving your feedback on the PSTTT and works continuously to improve the user experience. Per the overwhelming feedback, Team Nutrition has further enhanced the capability for director and manager users to easily add new schools to their district. In addition to the existing capability of adding a new school when creating new user profiles, this feature is now available through the new “Manage Schools” page. On this new page, users can create a new school and edit the name and address for any school in their district.

 

Track your professional standards required training hours today using USDA’s free Professional Standards Training Tracker Tool!

 

The following reports are required when operating the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. The following chart provides the current guidance dependent on the program operating for the majority of the 2020-21 school year. More information on the reports below can be found on our Reporting webpage.

Report	National School Lunch (NSLP) School Breakfast (SBP)	Seamless Summer Option (SSO)	Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)	October Claim for NSLP/SBP and SSO
Annual Financial Report (AFR) for 2019-20 school year	Due August 31, 2020	Due August 31, 2020	Due August 31, 2020	October claim cannot be submitted until report completed
FNS-10	Due November 1	Do not submit until guidance received from USDA	Do not submit until guidance received from USDA	Report tied to October claim, SFAs operating SSO will need to delay submitting this claim until guidance received
Paid Lunch Price Report (PLP)	Submit November 1 - 15	Do not submit until guidance received from USDA	Do not submit until guidance received from USDA	Report tied to October claim, SFAs operating SSO will need to delay submitting this claim until guidance received
Verification Collection Report (VCR)	Complete the process and submit the VCR between Nov. 15 – Feb. 1	Do not complete process /submit report until guidance received from USDA	Do not complete process /submit report until guidance received from USDA	Not tied to October claim

The Small Victories Fall Workshop 2020 is now available on our website. Training is on review of basic elements of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. In addition to the training there will be LIVE office hours offered on two different dates. These dates are November 10 and 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please click on the Small Victories webpage link for more information on this training and LIVE office hours.