USDA News: New Q&A and FY 2022 Census/Area Eligibility Data

Fiscal Year 2022 CACFP & SFSP Area Eligibility Data is Available
At the start of every fiscal year, FNS releases a special tabulation of data provided by the Census Bureau for CACFP and SFSP that establishes area eligibility in the CACFP and SFSP. These data are effective as of October 1, 2021.

The FNS mapping tools have also been updated to reflect the new data. To see the map, click this link. The data set is also available for download on FNS’ open data site.
To learn more about using census data for establishing area eligibility for CACFP and SFSP Area Eligibility using Census Data, please see our policy memorandum.
Please note that the map works best when opened in the following browsers: Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. (Content copied directly from USDA/FNS Email, 10/1/2021)

New Q&A from September 29, 2021 - Click Here
On September 29th, USDA/FNS released Memo Code: SP22-2021, CACFP17-2021, SFSP 10-2021, Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Program Operations in School Year 2021-2022, Q&A #2. CACFP specific answers begin at the bottom of page 9, #21.
You will find answers to these questions:

• Can SSO and CACFP at-risk meal service sites be co-located if the at-risk meals are provided by a non-SFA? If so, can the meals for both Programs be bundled together and distributed at the same time?
• Do traditional CACFP operators (institutions, sponsoring organizations and centers) operating under the COVID-19 waivers need to maintain daily attendance records?
• With the exception of the Child Nutrition Response #93: Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for the Family Day Care Home Providers in School Year 2021-2022, do all other CACFP waivers apply to adult care operators and emergency shelters?
• Can Head Start programs delivers meals to children enrolled in the home-based program option?
• Child Nutrition Response #91: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for School Year 2021-2022 waives three requirements. Can a State Agency opt into just one of the waivers or must they opt into all three?
• In States that elect to use Child Nutrition Response #93: Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for the Family Day Care Home Providers in School Year 2021-2022, is the state agency expected to automatically pay day care home providers the tier 1 rate or it the responsibility of the sponsor to request this waiver for the day care home providers not currently receiving tier 1 rates?
• Can day care homes decline to receive tier 1 meal reimbursement?
• Will states and sponsors operating under Child Nutrition Response #93: Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the Afterschool Programs and for the Family Day Care Home Providers in School Year 2021-2022 need to collect parent income eligibility forms to prepare for waiver reporting.

(cross-post with CACFP Roundtable)