Food and Nutrition Waivers
The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. USDA defines the rules and regulations for the program operations. Periodically, the USDA revisits the program rules and regulations and allows certain flexibilities or waivers. To apply for flexibility or a waiver, click on the survey link following the flexibility or waiver listed below.
Confirmation Review Official Waiver Application
USDA requires all Local Educational Agencies to conduct a verification process on a sample of free and reduced price student meal applications collected in a school year. Prior to any other verification activity, a Local Educational Agencies official, other than the official who made the initial eligibility determination, must review each approved application selected for verification to ensure that the initial determination was accurate. This requirement is waived (annually) if the Local Educational Agencies uses a technology-based system that demonstrates a high level of accuracy in processing an initial eligibility determination. To apply for the Confirmation Review Official Waiver Application, please access the Claims Reimbursement and Reporting System (CRRS), USDA Waiver section.
Age/Grade Group Separation Waiver (Residential Centers)
To obtain waiver to the National School Lunch Program age/grade group separation requirements for planning and serving school breakfast and lunch program reimbursable meals, please send a written request or email to Brigette Hires, Office of Nutrition.
USDA WAIVER REQUESTS
The Ohio Department of Education is requesting the following program year 2022-2023 waivers from the USDA.
Meal Program Waivers in Situations of Abrupt Building Closure: Request to waive certain requirements of the USDA School or Summer Meal Programs when schools encounter either school closure with no remote learning or school closure with remote learning due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety or other issues, labor-management disputes, or, when approved by the State agency, for a similar unanticipated cause in school year 2023.
Oversight and Monitoring Waiver for the Child and Adult Care Food Program: Request to waive certain requirements for compliance reviews in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Summer 2022 and SY 2022-23 Child Nutrition Programs Waiver: Request to waiver certain requirements for summer 2022 and school year 2022-2023 as detailed in the checklist when schools and program sponsors are impacted by COVID related issues and incidents. Waiver approved by USDA on May 23, 2022.
Non-Congregate Meal Service for Outdoor Summer Meal Sites Experiencing Excessive Heat Waiver: Request to waive congregate meal service if/when excessive heat warnings occur in summer 2023 which creates an unsafe environment for children to congregate for meals at approved outside sites that don’t have access to temperature-controlled alternative gathering sites.
SFSP Streamlining Rule Compliance Date Waiver: Request to waive the compliance date May 1, 2023, as published in the Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the SFSP. Final Rule, to extend to January 1, 2024.
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Last Modified: 3/31/2023 8:44:09 AM