Pursuant to the authority in Section 2202(a) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and based on the exceptional circumstances of this public health emergency, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has extended twelve COVID-19 Nationwide Waivers through June 30, 2021. Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has opted into all twelve of the waivers to allow program operators in Arizona to provide free meals to children safely during COVID-19. The extended Nationwide Waivers are: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through School Year 2020-2021 - Extension Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers – EXTENSION 3 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION 5 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardians to Pick Up Meals for Children – EXTENSION 5 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option - EXTENSION 8 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION 2 Nationwide Waiver to Waive First Week Site Visits in the Summer Food Service Program - EXTENSION 2 Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option – EXTENSION 2 Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program - EXTENSION 2 Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Child and Adult Care Food Program At-Risk Afterschool Care Component- EXTENSION Nationwide Waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre- Approval Visits in the Summer Food Service Program- EXTENSION  Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – EXTENSION #5

New USDA Question and Answer Memorandum USDA has released the following memorandum, SP 01-2021 that includes 11 questions and answers to provide clarification on questions related to operation of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), At-Risk After School Meals and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in the coming months, during the COVID-19 pandemic.  SP 01-2021: Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through School Year 2020-2021 - EXTENSION - Q&As #2

Application Requirements School Food Authorities that wish to operate SFSP/SSO under the extended waivers through June 30 will be required to apply with a FY21 SFSP CNPWeb application, or update their existing FY21 SFSP CNPWeb application reflective of the end date no later than June 30, 2021. Additionally, all SFAs must ensure an updated Food Program Permanent Service Agreement is on file. Community Organizations that wish to operate SFSP/SSO under the extended waivers through June 30 will be required to submit a FY21 SFSP CNPWeb application reflective of the end date no later than June 30, 2021, and complete a budget and management plan. ADE will be hosting a webinar reviewing the application requirements in detail on Friday, October 23rd. The registration link is below.

Health and Nutrition Services COVID-19 Communications Webinar: FY21 SFSP Application Guidance Friday, October 23, 2020 1:00-3:00 pm Join ADE to review the newly extended waivers and updated SFSP/SSO application requirements. This webinar will be recorded and posted on the Health and Nutrition Services COVID-19: Guidance to Child Nutrition Operators webpage.

Register for the webinar here!

Stay tuned for more details and communication from ADE!

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