School Nutrition Programs Compliance Handbook
Introduction
This handbook provides information and instruction for implementing the requirements of the School Nutrition Programs (SNP). SNP staff from the State Agency (SA) will provide technical assistance to active and potential participants to help them with the programs’ implementation. This handbook serves as an overview of program requirements. SNP will distribute additional memos and policies throughout the year when the USDA implements new laws enacted by Congress or provides new interpretation.
Schools receive reimbursement based on the number of meals served to children eligible for free meals, reduced price meals, and children who pay for full priced meals. SFAs determine student eligibility based on household income. SFAs receive a higher reimbursement for meals served to those eligible for free meals than those eligible for full priced meals. SFAs receive funding for each reimbursable meal regardless of eligibility.
TYPES OF PROGRAMS OFFERED BY SNP
School Nutrition Programs
School Nutrition Programs (SNP) is the name of the Child Nutrition Programs administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). In this handbook, SNP, and State Agency (SA) will be used interchangeably. SNP has oversight of the Child Nutrition Programs for private schools and private RCCIs in the State of Oklahoma.
SNP administers the USDA Child Nutrition Programs to non-profit private schools and non-profit private residential care institutions (RCCI). The programs administered are the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Snack Program, and Special Milk Program. Schools and residential child care institutions (RCCIs) participating in the programs receive funding for providing healthy meals to children. SNP is responsible for monitoring participating private schools and RCCIs to ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The intent of these federal programs is to help fight hunger and obesity. Agencies participating in the Child Nutrition Programs must agree to provide meals that comply with nutritional standards set forth by federal guidelines. Agencies must also agree to other federal requirements such as fiscal integrity, food safety, and health promotion.
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. The programs’ purpose is to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Schools and RCCIs receive cash subsidies for providing meals to eligible students. Based on income or qualifying benefits, students are charged for meals at the paid, reduced-price, or free rate. Schools that additionally provide afterschool care may be eligible for additional funding for serving snacks after school.
School Breakfast Program
SFAs operating the National School Lunch Program can receive cash assistance for operating a federally assisted nonprofit breakfast program to students. Students receiving free and reduced price lunches are eligible to receive breakfast for free or reduced priced within schools sponsoring a breakfast program. Since breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, SFAs are encouraged to participate in the breakfast program.
Special Milk Program
The Special Milk Program is designed to encourage the consumption of milk by children. The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools, eligible camps, and childcare institutions and for grades that do not participate in other Federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve. SFAs must agree to use the Federal reimbursement to reduce the selling price of milk to all children.
Schools in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs or other classes where the school lunch or breakfast programs are not offered.
Afterschool Snack Program
This is a supplement to the National School Lunch Program. School and RCCIs participating in the National school lunch program may be eligible for additional funding if they provide afterschool snacks to students.
Commodity Distribution
Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program can receive additional food assistance from the Commodity Distribution Program, but requires a separate agreement. DHS administers this program. Schools receive additional assistance from the commodity program for each reimbursable meal served. Interested SFAs can apply with the Commodity Distribution Unit.
