USDA Extends Nationwide Waivers Through September 30th The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the extension of critical child nutrition nationwide waivers through September 30, 2021. This extension will ensure schools, local government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations have the time, consistency, and flexibility necessary to reach children who need access to free meals through the summer months. FRAC will share more information as updates — including the waiver memos — are available. The following nationwide waivers have been extended. -
Non-Congregate Feeding, which allows meals to be served outside of group settings (meals can be distributed at a site where families pick up the meals, as well as be delivered to children’s homes); -
Meal Service Times, which provide flexibility to the meal service time requirements by allowing service outside of standard meal times; and -
Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children, which allows a parent or guardian to pick up meals to take home to children. FRAC applauds USDA for its leadership. The waiver extension will help to ensure the growing number of children at risk of hunger can get the nutrition they need this summer. Read FRAC’s full statement on the waiver extension here. | |