![Page 1: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Cindy LongDeputy AdministratorChild Nutrition ProgramsFood and Nutrition Service
National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's Children Get a Fresh Start to Each School Day
![Page 2: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Sara OlsonSpecial Assistant to the Deputy AdministratorChild Nutrition ProgramsFood and Nutrition Service
School Meals Flexibilities Rule
![Page 3: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Today’s Agenda
• School Meal Pattern Background
• Stakeholder input• Permanent Flexibilities• Questions
![Page 4: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Goals of Child Nutrition Programs
Support American Agriculture
Improve Nutrition and Health
Support low-income families
![Page 5: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
How CN Programs Work
Local Operators
Operate program and determine eligibility
Plan and provide nutritious, safe meals
USDA
Provides funding
Sets program standards and policy
Oversees/supports State agencies
States
Distribute reimbursement
Manage Program
Monitor local operators ; provide technical assistance
![Page 6: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
School Meal Patterns• General meal requirements: USDA
• Menus and recipes: local choices
• Meal patterns updated in 2012– More fruits and vegetables– Whole grains– Low-fat and non-fat fluid milk– Age-based portion sizes– Weekly standards for calories, sodium, and
saturated fat
![Page 7: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Successes and Challenges
• Success: • Healthier meals with more fruits,
vegetables, whole grains
• Challenges in several key areas:• Whole grains• Sodium• Milk
![Page 8: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Actions Taken
• May 2017: Secretary issues School Meals Proclamation; FNS memo on specific flexibilities for 2017-2018
• November 2017: FNS interim final rule extends flexibilities through 2018-2019
• December 2018: Final rule provides long-term menu planning flexibility for Program operators
![Page 9: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Developing the Final Rule• FNS focused on public comments specific
to the three menu planning flexibilities• Intended benefits:
• Reduced regulatory burden• Increased student participation• Reduced food waste
![Page 10: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Wholesome and Appealing Meals
Children will continue to have access to fruit, an array of vegetables, whole grains, and milk.
![Page 11: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Final Rule FlexibilitiesEffective July 1, 2019
![Page 12: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Milk Flexibility
• Allows flavored, low-fat milk in schools
• Also able to sell it a la carte
• Schools must offer unflavored milk at each meal service
• Will provide more menu planning options to increase intake
![Page 13: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Whole Grain-Rich Flexibility
• At least half of the weekly grains offered in the NSLP and SBP must be whole grain-rich
• Other grains in the weekly menu must be enriched
![Page 14: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
No exemption requests SY 2019/20
• Beginning in 2019-2020, whole grain-rich exemption requests are not required
![Page 15: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Sodium Flexibility
• Retains Target 1 through SY 2023-2024
• Moves Target 2 to SY 2024-2025
• Removes Final Target
![Page 16: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Minimum Standards
• Sodium and whole grain-rich requirements in NSLP and SBP set a floor and not a ceiling
• Operators able to tailor to local needs• No changes required
• Meal reimbursement is based on compliance with Federal standards
![Page 17: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Next Steps
![Page 18: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Expected Impact
• More operational flexibility to meet student preferences
• More opportunities to incorporate local and regional favorites
• Increased consumption of wholesome meals
![Page 19: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Looking Ahead
• Continue to provide operators with guidance and resources
• Ongoing feedback from stakeholders
• Dietary Guidelines will continue to inform overall nutrition requirements
![Page 20: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
USDA Resources
• Nutrition Standards for School Meals: https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/nutrition-standards-school-meals
• Team Nutrition: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition
• School Meals Policy: https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/policy
![Page 21: National School Lunch and Breakfast: Helping America's](https://reader031.vdocuments.net/reader031/viewer/2022020702/61fac70ec8f0546f637f5c17/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)