Contracting Entities can apply for an SSO Age/Grade Portion Size Waiver in order to serve only one portion size at a summer meal site. The waiver, if approved, will allow the CE to serve the portion sizes consistent with the most commonly served age/grade group at that site. CEs offering SSO should make every effort to follow the required age/grade group portion sizes in serving meals to children; this includes adding slightly larger or smaller servings of grains and meat/meat alternates for different aged children.

Participation Requirements

CEs operating SSO open and restricted open sites that have difficulty implementing the age/grade group requirements and are unable to implement a strategy that will allow them to serve each child’s required age/grade portion size may apply for an SSO age/grade group portion size waiver to serve the site’s most commonly served age/grade group portion size. The SSO Site Application must be approved in TX-UNPS before the SSO Age/Grade waiver may be reviewed and approved.

If approved, the waiver is applied to the month during which the waiver was submitted and any future months of operation during the summer of that year. For example, an approved waiver submitted on June 18 would apply from June 1 through the remaining summer months of that year. An approved waiver applies only to the current summer.

Application Process

CEs must complete the web-based Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Age/Grade Group Meal Pattern Portion Sizes Waiver form.  This waiver form will be available beginning May 1 through the end of the summer. To access this form:

1. Log into TX-UNPS

2. Applications > Download Forms

3. Select Form ID SNP-000  

The CE will provide the following information in the web-based form:

· Each site that is requesting a waiver. Be sure to include the Site ID and Site Name exactly as shown in the TX-UNPS SSO Site Application.

· Information on why each site named in the waiver is unable to serve the appropriate portion size for varied age/grade groups

· Identify the most common age/grade group served at each site (K-5, 6-8, 9-12).

· An authorized representative of the CE operating the SSO must attest to the information provided in the waiver by signing the last page of the form. Authorized representatives include the Superintendent, Child Nutrition Director, or Claims Preparer as shown in the TX-UNPS CE Application.

Once submitted, TDA will process the waiver and contact the CE to request any additional information needed. TDA will notify the CE of the approval or disapproval of SSO Age/Grade waivers for each site via email. Questions about this waiver may be submitted to TDA by email to SNPWaivers@TexasAgriculture.gov with “SSO Age/Grade Waiver” in the subject line.

For Summer 2023, the traditional flexibilities allowing Contracting Entities to waive meal time restrictions, waive first week site visits for experienced sponsors, use area eligibility to establish site eligibility for closed enrolled sites, and utilize offer versus serve meal service have been modified and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR 225). TDA is developing FAQ guidance explaining these changes and will post this guidance on the Summer Feeding Policy/Handbook page soon.