Policy and Handbooks for Summer Meal Programs

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Policy and Handbooks for Summer Meal Programs

Administration/Forms Area Eligibility CFDA/FAIN Numbers Compliance Disaster Resources Food Safety Funding Opportunities Income Eligibility Guidelines Latest News Meal Pattern National Disqualified List New Applicants Newsletter Policy/Handbooks Program Year Calendar Reimbursement Rates Renewing CEs Resources Statistics Summer Meal Site Map Texas Farm Fresh Training Turnip the Beet TX-UNPS Waivers	Policy Updates and News All the most current resources you need to successfully operate the Summer Meal Programs are available here. TDA keeps this page updated with any new policy updates and news, including the following: Handbook release notices with update summaries Form release notices Brand new policy updates that haven’t yet been updated within the handbooks FAQs and other resources, as required Please bookmark this page and check back periodically. Waiver Requested to Extend Implementation Date of SFSP Final Rule Regulations - March 10, 2023 On September 19, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued Final Rule, Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the SFSP (Final Rule), which included many new SFSP requirements to be codified in 7 CFR 225, some of which require system updates that cannot be implemented prior to the required May 1, 2023, deadline. TDA is requesting from USDA a one-time extension of the May 1 Final Rule implementation deadline to January 1, 2024, to allow time for the Texas Unified Nutrition Programs System (TX-UNPS) to be updated to accommodate this requirement. Summer 2023 FAQ - UPDATED February 19, 2023 An updated Summer 2023 FAQ was posted to clarify guidance about transitioning to NSLP from Summer operations within a district with different school start dates. This document will be updated as necessary as Summer approaches and beyond, so check back periodically and keep an eye on your newsletter. 2022-2023 School Data for Area Eligibility Report Released - February 15, 2023 The 2022-2023 School Data for Area Eligibility report has been posted on the Administration/Forms page. Sites at or in the attendance area of schools listed in this report are area eligible to serve community children free meals via a Summer meals program or afterschool program. SFSP Supplemental Handbook Update November 28, 2022 - The SFSP Supplemental Handbook was updated to correct broken links, update citations, add guidance pertaining to regulatory changes going into effect Summer 2023, and to clarify policy. Specific updates are listed in the new Log of Section Updates section at the beginning of the handbook. USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Handbooks To read the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) handbooks, visit the USDA SFSP handbooks page at https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/handbooks. TDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Supplemental Handbook Within the TDA SFSP Supplemental Handbook, TDA provides additional guidance that clarifies and/or supplements policy provided by USDA in the Administrative Guidance for Sponsors (AGS) and policy memos. The TDA SFSP Supplemental Handbook models the organizational structure of AGS, for the CE’s ease of use. USDA Policy Memos USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issues policy memoranda to provide guidance on implementing SFSP. Click here to see these memos on the USDA site. FNS Instruction 796-4, Rev. 4 and Tip Sheet FNS Instruction 796-4 Rev 4, Financial Management - Summer Food Service Program for Children Tip Sheet - Assessing Costs in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) State and Federal Law Concerning F&N Programs Texas Administrative Code, 4.1: General Procedures Texas Administrative Code, 4.25: Special Nutrition Programs Texas Administrative Code, 4.26: Food and Nutrition Division Texas Administrative Code, 4.26.E: Appeal Procedures for F&N Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Policy For guidance on operating the SSO, CEs should refer to Section 11 of the Administrator’s Reference Manual (ARM) by clicking here. This section of the ARM also provides guidance on the Texas Summer Mandate.

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