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Articles by Month All Entries February 2021 (1) December 2020 (1) November 2020 (1) September 2020 (1) August 2020 (1) May 2020 (1)	Help Notify Families About SNAP Replacement Benefits The Texas Office of the Governor published a press release on February 24, 2021 about automatically replacing Supplemental Food and Nutrition Program (SNAP) benefits for families in 66 counties affected by winter storm Uri. Some families whose children are eligible for free or reduced price meals may also receive SNAP benefits. Coronavirus Updates for Contracting Entities The Texas Department of Agriculture has received some waivers from USDA to support the continued operation of meal service in response to coronavirus. Other waivers are not yet approved. Any information regarding USDA waivers related to meal service will be available at SquareMeals.org/coronavirus along with further instructions. USDA Nondiscrimination Statement – Revision Notice ACTION REQUIRED: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service recently updated its Civil Rights webpage resulting in changes to the internal hyperlinks within the Nondiscrimination Statement (NDS) as well as the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form. If you have not done so already, please update the electronic versions of the NDS with the English and/or Spanish versions. These changes were required to be completed no later than January 31, 2021. See Latest Guidance for Operational Impact of USDA Waivers TDA is providing guidance updates regarding the operational impact of these USDA nationwide waivers. Contracting entities should review the Meal Service Options guidance for SY 2020-2021. See the latest Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for most up-to-date guidance. Meal Pattern Requirements for SY 2020-2021 A federal court ruling earlier this year has reversed several NSLP/SBP meal pattern flexibilities. As a result the following meal pattern changes are effective immediately. Follow this link for more information. “And Justice for All” Poster Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will not be taking “And Justice For All..." (AJFA) poster orders through TX-UNPS and will not be distributing posters to contracting entities (CE). Locally printed paper copies AJFA posters may substituted as necessary.

Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: