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On April 20th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended several child nutrition waivers for schools and child care. The waivers are available nationwide through June 30, 2022. Additional guidance regarding implementation was issued earlier this month. We anticipate that California administrators will soon provide details about the implementation of the waivers in our state. We will share updates as we learn more. A summary of the waivers is below. 

Area Eligibility for Child Care and At-Risk Afterschool

Allows all schools and at-risk afterschool care centers to serve afterschool meals and snacks free of charge. Also allows all family day care homes, including newly enrolled providers, to receive the highest CACFP reimbursement rate for all meals and snacks served to enrolled children effective July 1, 2021. This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program Afterschool Snack Service, the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool Care Component, and family day care homes participating in Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Seamless Summer Option (operation and reimbursement)

Allows all schools to serve meals free of charge to all children by operating the Seamless Summer Option. The meals align with nutrition standards for school breakfast and school lunch. Schools will receive per-meal reimbursements specific to the Summer Food Service Program, which are higher than reimbursements from the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. 

Please note that while the waiver allows all schools to operate the Seamless Summer Option for the 2021-22 year, schools may choose to implement other approaches, such as the Community Eligibility Provision. 

Non-Congregate

Allows meals to be served and eaten outside of group (congregate) settings. This waiver applies to meals served through the Seamless Summer Option, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Meal Service Times

Allows meals to be served outside of the usual times, enabling options such as picking up multiple meals at once. This waiver applies to meals served through the Seamless Summer Option, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Parent/Guardian Pick Up

Allows a parent or guardian to pick up meals for children without children being present. This waiver applies to meals served through the Seamless Summer Option, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Note

Along with the waivers described above, USDA issued waivers regarding flexibility in the types of food (meal patterns) served by schools and child care providers; the way in which meals are served in high schools; and monitoring requirements for schools meal programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and CACFP sponsors. Read more details about those waivers.