Latest News for School Nutrition Programs

RELEASE: SFSP and SSO Rural Non-Congregate Service Regulations

Published: 270 days ago
" USDA issued an Interim Final Rule at the end of December outlining the new regulations allowing SFSP and SSO operators in rural areas to provide non-congregate meal service to participants. Stay tuned to the newsletters and SquareMeals.org for more information on how to apply!
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USDA issued an Interim Final Rule at the end of December outlining the new regulations allowing SFSP and SSO operators in rural areas to provide non-congregate meal service to participants. 

Because this is an Interim Rule, the regulations go into effect immediately but may be altered in the future based on comments received from Program operators, the general public, and State Agencies. The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites interested persons to submit written comments on this interim final rule no later than April 29, 2024. Comments may be submitted in writing by one of the following methods:

-- Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

-- Mail: Send comments to Community Meals Policy Division, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314.

TDA is currently updating the non-congregate application form from 2023 to align with the new regulations. An updated request form, FAQs, and guidance are currently under development. Stay tuned to the newsletters and the dedicated Non-Congregate Summer page on SquareMeals.org (https://squaremeals.org/Programs/Summer-Meal-Programs/Summer-Non-Congregate-Feeding-Program ) for more information coming soon!

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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/ad-3027.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:

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
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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