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 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) implements new laws enacted by Congress or provides new interpretation.
Schools and Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) 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. Each school and RCCI determine student eligibility based on household income. Higher reimbursement is received for meals served to those eligible for free meals and reduced priced meals than those eligible for full priced meals. Schools and RCCIs receive funding for each reimbursable meal regardless of the eligibility determination.
Types of Programs Offered By Oklahoma Humans Services School Nutrition Programs (OKDHS SNP)
School Nutrition Programs (SNP)
School Nutrition Programs (SNP) is the name of the Child Nutrition Programs administered by the Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS). In this handbook, SNP, and State Agency (SA) will be used interchangeably. OKDHS SNP has oversight of the Child Nutrition Programs for nonprofit private schools and nonprofit private Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) in the State of Oklahoma.
OKDHS SNP administers the USDA Child Nutrition Programs to nonprofit private schools and nonprofit private RCCIs. The programs administered are listed in table 1.
Table 1: USDA Child Nutrition Programs Administered by Oklahoma Human Services |
OKDHS School Nutrition Programs (SNP) administers the following USDA Child Nutrition (CN) Programs:
· National School Lunch Program (NSLP) · NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program · School Breakfast Program (SBP) · Afterschool Snack Program · Special Milk Program (SMP)
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Schools and RCCIs participating in the programs receive funding for providing healthy meals to children. OKDHS SNP is responsible for monitoring participating nonprofit private schools and RCCIs to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations.
The intent of these federal programs is to help fight hunger and obesity. Participating nonprofit private schools and RCCIs in the USDSA Child Nutrition Programs through OKDHS SNP must agree to provide meals that comply with nutritional standards set forth by federal guidelines (see chapter 2 “Meal Planning and Production” for more information). Schools and RCCIs must also agree to other federal requirements such as fiscal integrity (see chapter 4 “Resource Management” for more information), food safety (see chapter 10 “Food Safety” for more information), and health promotion (see chapter 11 “Local Wellness” for more information).
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI). The program’s 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 rate, or reduced-price rates, or provided with meals for free. Schools that additionally provide afterschool care may be eligible for additional funding for serving snacks after school.
School Breakfast Program (SBP)
Schools and RCCIs operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) can receive cash assistance for operating a federally assisted nonprofit breakfast program to students. Students receiving free meals or reduced priced 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, schools and RCCIs are encouraged to participate in the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Special Milk Program (SMP)
The Special Milk Program (SMP) is designed to encourage the consumption of milk by children. The SMP provides milk to children in schools, eligible camps, and Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) for grades that do not participate in other federal meal service programs. The program reimburses schools for the milk they serve. Schools and RCCIs must agree to use the federal reimbursement to reduce the selling price of milk to all children.
Schools and RCCIs in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) 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 NSLP or SBP are not offered.
For more information on the SMP, see chapter 14.
Afterschool Snack Program
The Afterschool Snack Program is a supplement to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). School and RCCIs participating in the National school lunch program may be eligible for additional funding if they provide afterschool snacks to students. For more information on the Afterschool Snack Program see chapter 13.
NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Program
School and RCCIs participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) through OKDHS School Nutrition Programs (SNP) are eligible to participate in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program in low-income areas.
After approval, the school or RCCI meals free of charge to children (18 years and younger) free of charge. Table 2 covers the types of sites allowed to operate in the SSO program.
Table 2: Types of Sites Allowed to Participate in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Program |
The following types of sites are allowed to participate in the SSO program: · Open sites: all children eat free in communities where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free/reduced price school meals. · Restricted open sites: sites that meet the open site criteria, explained above, but are later restricted for safety, control, or security reasons. · Migrant sites: serving children of migrant families. · Camps: residential or non-residential camps.
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For more information regarding the SSO program contact OKDHS SNP at AFS.School.Nutrition.Programs@okdhs.org.
Food Distribution
Schools and RCCIs participating in the National School Lunch Program can receive additional food assistance from the USDA Food in Schools Program but requires a separate agreement. Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) administers this program. Schools receive additional assistance from the USDA Donated Foods program for each reimbursable meal served. Interested SFAs can apply with the OKDHS Food Distribution Program.
