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Final Rule Reduces CEP ISP Threshold from 40% to 25% for SY 2024-2025
The Final Rule, Child Nutrition Programs - Community Eligibility Provision—Increasing Options for Schools, will lower the Identified Student Percentage (ISP) threshold to participate in CEP from 40% to 25%. This option will go into effect for SY 2024-2025, based on ISP data from April 1, 2024. Updated Guidance on Meal Service during an Unanticipated School Closure
TDA has received several waivers and additional guidance about the options schools have to serve meals should an unexpected event close a school. If an unanticipated school closure occurs, schools will have the option of serving non-congregate summer meals (SSO or SFSP) if the closure occurs during October through April, non-congregate CACFP At-risk meals at any time in the school year, or non-congregate NSLP/SBP at any time of the school year if virtual instruction is occurring. Grant Available for NSLP and SBP CEs
Contracting Entities in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program and are not contracted with a food service management company have an opportunity to opt-in to receive reimbursement for up to $30,000 for purchasing local foods. All foods purchased must be unprocessed or minimally processed. To learn more, visit SquareMeals.org/LFS. USDA Awards Healthy Meals Incentives Grants Nationwide with 18 Texas Districts Receiving up to $150,000
As part of a cooperative agreement to develop and implement the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) ais awarding nearly $30 million in grants to 264 SFAs across 44 states and the District of Columbia, reaching students in some of our nation’s highest need schools. These funds are being provided by USDA FNS. In Texas, 18 small and/or rural school food authorities (SFAs) will receive up to $150,000 in grant funds. NEW! Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service published a final rule on program integrity to ensure that child nutrition programs are properly operated and managed to protect federal funds and taxpayer dollars. The final rule impacts regulations for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program. New Waiver Allowing Non-Congregate Summer Feeding in Extreme Heat
TDA has received a waiver allowing for non-congregate service at SFSP or SSO outdoor sites experiencing extreme heat. Sites with no alternative, temperature-controlled locations at which to provide congregate summer service must request a waiver for each day the waiver is used, and TDA will verify that a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, or Excessive Heat Watch was issued for the area. Now Available! Child Nutrition Database Release 26
The Child Nutrition (CN) Database, Release 26 (CN26), is now available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/child-nutrition-database. The CNDB is a required database for nutrient analysis software approved by USDA for use in school meals. Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards for School Food Authorities
As part of a cooperative agreement to develop and implement USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative, Action for Healthy Kids is offering Recognition Awards to celebrate SFAs that have made significant improvements to the nutritional quality of their school meals. The Recognition Awards will spotlight innovative practices, student and community engagement activities, and strategies schools have used to provide meals that are consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
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Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.
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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/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.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:
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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
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| This institution is an equal opportunity provider. |
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