Public Notice- Summer Food Service Program Waiver Requests
On October 11, 2018, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided guidance regarding the status of nationwide waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) (SFSP 01-2019), Summer Food Service Program Memoranda Recession.
The Office of School and Community Food Programs of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has submitted State SFSP waiver requests to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the USDA, for the SFSP flexibilities and policies that were rescinded by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through SFSP 01-2020 Summer Food Service Program Memoranda Rescission. The following areas have been submitted for consideration:
· MSDE Waiver Request 1- Policy waiving some meal time restrictions, specifically duration limits and elapsed time requirements 7CFR §225.16(c)(1), and 7CFR §225.16(c)(2).
· MSDE Waiver Request 2- Policy waiving Offer Versus Serve (OVS). 7CFR §225.16(f)(i)(ii).
· MSDE Waiver Request 3-Policy waiving first week monitoring requirements 7 CFR 225.5(d)(2) and (3)
· MSDE Waiver Request 4-Policy waiving closed enrolled site eligibility requirements. 7 CFR 225.15(f).
The goal of these waivers is to reinstate the rescinded flexibilities and polices to allow for SFSP sponsors to administer efficient and cost-effective programs and to reduce the administrative burden both for the MSDE and SFSP sponsors.
For more information please call 410-767-0199.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
NOTE: If the material is too small to contain the full statement, the material, at a minimum, must include the following statement:
Ø This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Ø And, if appropriate: Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
MSDE Nondiscrimination statement:
The Maryland State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry/national origin, color, disability, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For inquiries related to Department policy, please contact:
Equity Assurance and Compliance Office
Office of the Deputy State Superintendent for Finance and Administration
Maryland State Department of Education
200 W. Baltimore Street - 6th Floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201-2595
410-767-0426 - voice
410-767-0431 - fax
410-333-6442 - TTY/TDD
During the school year, nutritious meals are available to students through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP); however, these programs are not administered throughout summer, when schools are not in session. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federal program made available to eligible areas and children to ensure that children receive nutritious meals throughout the year. This program merges summer activity programs with a federal meal reimbursement program.