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School Nutrition Bulletin 2122-46 ACTION REQUIRED

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

 

USDA’s Webpage for Transitioning to Normal Child Nutrition Operations

USDA has created a webpage for transitioning back to traditional Child Nutrition Program operations.

Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) and Carryover Waivers

On May 23, 2022, DPI was approved to participate in the statewide waivers offered by USDA for Paid Lunch Equity and Carryover Eligibility. See below for guidance on the PLE waiver. More information will be forthcoming on the carryover waiver.

USDA Guidance on Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Waiver for School Year (SY) 2022-23

On April 4, 2022, USDA issued SP 08-2022, CACFP 07-2022, SFSP 03-2022: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs notifying States that as required by the 2022 Appropriations Act, any SFA with a positive or zero balance in its nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2021, is exempt from PLE pricing requirements found at 7 CFR 210.14(e) for school year (SY) 2022-23.

“Under Section 752, of Division A of the Appropriations Act, for SY 2022-2023, only an SFA that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2021, shall be required to establish a price for paid lunches served through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in accordance with section 12(p) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(p)). FNS will be providing additional guidance for SFAs that are required to comply with the paid lunch equity provision during SY 2022-2023.”

USDA additionally made a Paid Lunch Equity waiver available (WI was approved for this statewide waiver). Waiver #25 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023) provides schools with the flexibility to not raise their paid lunch prices in SY 2022-23. This provides schools the flexibility to price their paid lunches at the level they feel is best based on their local needs. This includes decreasing paid lunch prices from their previous levels, however, schools should carefully review their budgets before adjusting their paid lunch prices in SY 2022-23. SFAs may decrease their paid lunch prices using federal sources or revenue from the sale of a la carte foods. This does not mean these are universal free lunches and USDA asks that all SFAs please refrain from referring to them as universal free meals. The information below provides clarification on the application of the PLE waiver.

Below are some important key points about the PLE waiver:

  • The availability of the PLE waiver provides schools with the flexibility to not raise their paid lunch prices in SY 2022-23.
  • Schools should carefully review their budgets before adjusting their paid lunch prices in SY 2022-23. Some considerations include:
    • Reimbursement will return to National School Lunch Program rates;
    • Reimbursement well be based on eligibility of the child;
    • Increased food costs; and
    • Fluctuation in participation.
  • Meal quality should not decrease if a school decided to lower their paid lunch prices.

The PLE requirement only applies to school lunch paid meal prices. Additional information from the DPI SNT is below.

USDA Fruit and Vegetable Crediting Tip Sheets

These simple, easy-to-use references highlight the basics of crediting for these two meal components. The Fruit and Vegetable tip sheets allow Program operators to test their knowledge of the meal component requirement with a question and answer section.

Updated from USDA Team Nutrition: A Guide to Smart Snacks in School

USDA’s Team Nutrition has updated  “A Guide to Smart Snacks in School.” The guide includes regulations for food and beverages sold to students outside of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program on the school campus, during the school day. 

Topics include:

  • Milk types for school year (SY) 2022-23 and 23-24
  • Allowable beverages
  • School meal leftovers sold a la carte 
  • School fundraisers
  • Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Smart Snack Calculator

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

 

Sunset of the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Expansion

(A similar message went out to District Administrators from DPI administration.)

Despite the strong support, and direct advocacy from State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly for continuing free school meals for all children, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has not received legislative authority to issue new nationwide waivers beyond SY 2021-22.

Throughout the pandemic, nutritious school meals have contributed to the health and well-being of students. Free meals mean higher participation in most cases, allowing students to thrive in the classroom. School Nutrition Professionals around the state developed creative ways to ensure students received the nutrition they needed throughout the pandemic, utilizing the nationwide waivers issued by the USDA.

Waivers that are expiring include the following:

  • Expansion of Area Eligibility
  • Operation of the Seamless Summer Option in place of the National School Lunch Program during the school year resulting in free meals for all students
  • Offering the Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rate for Seamless Summer Option meals served during the school year
  • Waiver of meal pattern requirements

Free meals as part of the school day for all children puts them on a level playing field. It removes stigma associated with income levels and creates an environment where all students are ready to learn. Additionally, the cafeteria becomes a place of life-long learning of what constitutes a healthy, nutritious meal. For these reasons, the Department of Public Instruction continues to support the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act and advocate for congressional renewal of the expiring waivers. We encourage you to reach out to your congressional delegation to advocate for the renewal of nationwide waiver authority as well.

At this time, the USDA School Meal Programs will be transitioning back to the traditional Child Nutrition Program operations of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Afterschool Snack Program in school year (SY) 2022-23. DPI has requested statewide waivers under Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to obtain approval for certain flexibilities previously provided under the nationwide waiver authority.

In order to receive approval from the SNT, waiver requests must:

  • facilitate the purpose of the program;
  • include information about how the school food authority plans to notify the public about the proposed waiver; and
  • not increase the overall cost of the Program to the Federal Government.

Additionally, the USDA Secretary cannot waive Federal reimbursement rates or the provision of free and reduced price meals. The DPI has been approved for 24 waivers for Summer 2022 and SY 2022-23. These waivers will help facilitate the transition back to the traditional operation of the Child Nutrition Programs. It will be very important to ensure USDA Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications are approved promptly and that Direct Certification is run often to get as many students the benefits they need as quickly as possible.

Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Guidance for School Year (SY) 2022-23

As the School Nutrition Programs transition back to paid meal pricing, the USDA has offered some additional flexibility to PLE requirements found in 7 CFR 210.14(e) for SY 2022-23.

ACTION REQUIRED: Paid Lunch Equity Survey

All SFAs must complete the PLE Survey to document the fund balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2021. This is required as part of the SY 2022-23 contract approval. Based on whether the SFA is reporting a positive or negative fund balance in the nonprofit school food service account will determine next steps for PLE requirements.

Positive Fund Balance in the Nonprofit School Food Service Account
If the SFA had a positive fund balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2021, then the SFA is exempted from PLE paid lunch pricing requirements for SY 2022-23. This exemption was provided on April 4, 2022 through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. No further action is required once the PLE survey mentioned above is completed.

Negative Fund Balance in the Nonprofit School Food Service Account
If the SFA had a negative fund balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of December 31, 2021, then the SFA would be required to complete the PLE tool and raise paid lunch prices, if needed. The Wisconsin DPI School Nutrition Team was approved for a waiver from USDA to exempt all SFAs from raising paid lunch prices in SY 2022-23. This waiver provides SFAs the option to not complete the PLE tool and to not raise the paid lunch prices in SY 2022-23. SFAs with a negative fund balance in the PLE Survey will be sent a link to apply for a PLE waiver.

If the SFA does not elect the PLE waiver and had a negative balance on December 31, 2021, the PLE Tool [scroll down to Paid Lunch Equity (PLE)] is required to be completed using October 2019 paid lunch price data. Paid lunch prices may need to be increased, as indicated by the tool.

The PLE waiver is intended to provide flexibility to SFAs and households as the School Nutrition Programs transition back to paid lunch pricing and provides schools the flexibility to price the paid lunches at a level that is best for the SFA.  This includes the possibility of decreasing paid lunch price(s) from the current price(s). This option would need to be indicated in the PLE Waiver and discussed with a Nutrition Program Consultant to determine program financial viability before approval. Once approved, this price would be reflected in the Online Contract. SFAs should carefully review budgets before adjusting the paid lunch price(s) in SY 2022-23. 

Area Eligibility Determination (USDA Memo SP 10-2022 Clarification*): Summer 2022 Meal Programs and SY 2022-23 Afterschool Snack Program

In SY 2021-22, schools participating in the SSO served all students free meals and as a result do not have complete free and reduced-price eligibility information. Therefore, USDA is offering alternative options that sites may use to qualify as area eligible for summer 2022 and SY 2022-23.

Summer 2022 (SSO & SFSP Meal Programs Only)

Option

Effective

USDA Capacity Builder Map for each site

Five years from qualifying (through summer 2026

Site-based October 2019 Free and Reduced Eligibility Percentage

Five years since collected (through summer 2024)

Site-based Identified Student Percentage (ISP); ISP must be minimum of 31.25% (multiplied by 1.6 = 50%)

Through Summer 2022

 

School Year 2022-23 (Afterschool Snack Program Only)

Option

Effective

Site-based October 2019 Free and Reduced Eligibility Percentage

Through SY 2024-25 (five years)

Site-based Identified Student Percentage (ISP); ISP must be minimum of 31.25% (multiplied by 1.6 = 50%)

Through SY 2022-23

*This memo does not change CEP eligibility for SY 2022-23. Schools and school districts interested in participating in CEP must have an Identified Student Percentage (ISP) of 40% or higher to apply. Visit Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) webpage for more information.

“And Justice for All” Posters

The DPI SNT is currently out of 2019 “And Justice for All” posters. We are waiting to receive our shipment of 2022 posters from USDA. Once received, we will mail them to all SFAs based on the number of SFA sites that participate in the Child Nutrition Programs. Until then, if you are in need of a poster, print a copy of the 2022 Poster and display as required.

2021 USDA Equipment Grant Awards Announcement

Wisconsin received $398,070 from USDA to distribute to School Food Authorities (SFAs) for the 2021 NSLP Equipment Grant. The School Nutrition Team (SNT) received requests for 259 pieces of equipment from 160 SFAs. The SNT is awarding 26 pieces of equipment to 20 SFAs for a total of $268,180. The list of awardees is available on the USDA NSLP Equipment Grant Webpage. The SNT will begin reallocating the remaining funds in late summer. Congratulations to the awarded SFAs and thank you again to all SFAs for applying.

2022 Payment of Fiscal-Year End Claims

Each year in June the processing of claims is shut down in order for the State to perform year-end wrap up and rollover into the new fiscal year. Please be aware of the following information when filing claims for any federal or state Child Nutrition Program.

IMPORTANT: Any claims for reimbursement submitted between the afternoon of June 21st and July 11th will be processed on July 12th. Only one claim per program may be entered during this time per agency, including adjustments. If your claim is close to the 60-calendar day cutoff, please email the claim to: jacqueline.jordee@dpi.wi.gov.

Listed below is the schedule for reimbursement claim payments during the end of the fiscal year.

WEEK COVERED

PAYMENT PROCESSING DATE

EFT DEPOSIT DATE

May 22

May 24

May 31

May 29

May 31

June 6

June 5

June 7

June 14

June 12

June 14

June 20

June 19

June 21

June 27

June 26

Payment Processing will not be done this week

July 3

Payment Processing will not be done this week

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Jacque Jordee at jacqueline.jordee@dpi.wi.gov or by phone (608) 267-9134. Click the link below for more information about Claim Submission Deadlines.

Other Updates and Information

 

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) Webinar Series: Small Hacks for Big Impact

Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022

Time: 2 – 3:00 PM CST

This installment of the Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition (CICN) Webinar Series will introduce the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)'s upcoming Shaking It Up worksheet series. These worksheets provide tangible, practical guidance for school nutrition professionals to implement sodium reduction best practices and strategies in their school foodservice operations. The webinar will also feature strategies to help reduce sodium levels while adding quality and flavor to your meal service.

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Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563