Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Education Logo
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • Students & Families
    • Adult Education
    • Early Childhood & Preschool
    • Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
    • Parents & Families
    • School Report Cards
    • Transcripts & Test Scores
  • Educators
    • Academic Standards
    • Assessment
    • Career & Technical Education
    • Certification & Career
    • Post-Secondary & ECAP
    • Public Educator Search
    • Support & Improvement Resources
    • Training & Professional Development
  • Administrators
    • Accountability
    • School & Student Data
    • School Finance
    • School Support & Improvement
    • State & Federal Grants
    • Training & Conferences
  • Programs & Supports
    • Afterschool & 21st Century Learning Centers
    • Educator & School Excellence
    • English Learners, Foster Care, Homeless, & Migrant
    • Gifted & Advanced Learning
    • Health & Nutrition Services
    • Information Technology
    • Office of Indian Education
    • School Safety & Social Wellness
    • Special Education
  • About ADE
    • About the Department
    • Contact Us
    • Data Request
    • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
    • Events
    • State Board of Education
    • State Board for Charter Schools
    • Submit a Complaint
  • ADEConnect
    • ADEConnect
    • Common Logon
  • Search
  • Home
  • Health and Nutrition Services
  • COVID-19: Guidance to Child Nutrition Operators

COVID-19: Guidance to Child Nutrition Operators

HNSCOVID Icon.png

Health and Nutrition Services is committed to providing timely and accurate information through our COVID-19 Communications Resource Page to ensure all Child Nutrition Program Operators are able to stay informed with all COVID-19 guidance released by USDA and ADE.
Health and Nutrition Services is committed to providing timely and accurate information through our COVID-19 Communications to ensure all Child Nutrition Program Operators are able to stay informed with all COVID-19 guidance released by USDA and ADE.

ADE is accepting applications from School Food Authorities and experienced Community Organizations for the Summer Food Service Program now through June 30, 2021. All sites must be located at non-profit organizations. For-profit enrolled sites (including for-profit child care centers) are not eligible for SFSP and are encouraged to apply for CACFP for Child Nutrition Program support.

 

  • Application and Claiming Frequently Asked Questions (last updated 11/4/20)
  • Applying for Mobile Meal Service Frequently Asked Questions (effective February 1, 2021)
  • SFSP/SSO Site Types Comparison Chart
  • SFSP FY 21 Application Guidance
  • Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) Able to be Operated Concurrently

 

2021 COVID-19 Memorandums
SP #CACFP #SFSP #HNS #Memo Title
SP 01-2021CACFP 01-2021SFSP 01-2021 Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless
SP 03-2021   Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2020-21 during COVID-19
SP 04-2021CACFP 03-2021SFSP 03-2021 Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Option Operations during School Year 2020-2021 - Q&As #3
SP 05-2021CACFP 04-2021SFSP 04-2021 Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations during School Year 2020-2021 – Q&As #4
SP 07-2021   Department of Education Guidance on Implementation of Child Nutrition Program Waivers
2020 COVID-19 Memorandums
SP #CACFP #SFSP #HNS #Memo Title
   HNS 12-2020Guidance for CACFP Participation during unanticipated school closures due to COVID 19
   HNS 14-2020Revised Guidance for CACFP Participation During Unanticipated School Closures due to COVID-19
   HNS 16-2020Revised Guidance for CACFP Participation During Unanticipated School Closures due to COVID-19
   HNS 17-2020Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Guidance for Public Schools Participating in the National School Lunch Program
SP 11-2020CACFP 06-2020SFSP 05-2020 Q&As related to the CNP Monitoring and Reporting Nationwide Waivers
SP 12-2020   Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during COVID19
   HNS 20-2020Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer per the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Guidance for Non-Public Schools Participating in the National School Lunch Program
SP 13-2020   Child Nutrition Program Nationwide Waivers: Questions and Answers
SP 14-2020   Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks: Questions and Answers #3
   HNS 21-2020Operating Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) during Unanticipated School Closures due to Coronavirus Outbreaks
   HNS 22-2020Revised Guidance for CACFP Participation During Unanticipated School Closures due to COVID-19- Version 3
   HNS 23-2020Harvesting, Handling and Distributing School and Community Garden Produce During COVID-19 School Closures
SP 15-2020CACFP 09-2020SFSP 08-2020 

Child Nutrition Program Meal Service during Novel Coronavirus Outbreaks: Questions and Answers #4

   HNS 25-2020SFSP SSO Waivers during Unanticipated School Closures and Waiver Expiration Dates
   HNS 26-2020Administrative Reviews for the Summer Food Service Program in Arizona During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency
SP 18-2020 SFSP 10-2020 Summer Food Service Program and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option Nationwide Waivers – Questions and Answers
SP 19-2020   

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during COVID-19: Questions and Answers #2

SP 20-2020CACFP 11-2020SFSP 11-2020 Questions and Answers on the Nationwide Waiver to Extend Unanticipated School Closure Operations through June 30, 2020
SP 21-2020CACFP 12-2020SFSP 12-2020 

Q&As related to FSMC Contracts and Allowable Costs during the COVID-19 Pandemic

   HNS 31-2020One-Time Flexibility for SY 2020-2021 State Match Reporting Requirements for Districts and Charter Schools
   HNS 32-2020SFSP/ SSO Waivers during Unanticipated School Closure and Waiver Expiration Dates – UPDATED
   HNS 33-2020Procedures for Opting into National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Meal Pattern and Parent/Guardian Pickup Waivers and Providing Meals for Multiple Days in SY 20-21
   HNS 34-2020Waiver Extensions for CACFP Operations in Child and Adult Care Centers, Head Start Facilities, and At-Risk Afterschool Meal Programs
SP 23-2020   Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Operations for SY 2020-21 during COVID-19
SP 24-2020CACFP 13-2020SFSP 13-2020 Questions and Answers for the Child Nutrition Programs during School Year 2020-2021 – #5
   HNS 38-2020Extension of the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Operations
SP 25-2020CACFP 14-2020SFSP 14-2020 Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through December 2020 
   HNS 39-2020Procedures for Opting into National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Meal Pattern and Parent/Guardian Pickup Waivers and Providing Meals for Multiple Days in School Year (SY) 20-21 – UPDATED
   HNS 40-2020Waiver Extensions and Guidance for CACFP Operators Memo
    

Submitting Income Eligibility I and II and FRL for FY 21

USDA has released several waivers that apply to different Child Nutrition Programs. Program Operators have the ability to opt in to the following waivers below for the Child Nutrition Program being operated. Elections and approvals under the initial SFSP/SSO waivers for Parent Pickup, Distribution Plan for Multiple Days and Area Eligibility Waiver (starting in March) are valid under this SFSP/SSO extension (September-June); no further action is needed. If a Program operator has been approved for the Parent Pickup and Distribution Plan for Multiple Days waivers under NSLP for SY 2020-2021, these elections and approvals do not apply for SFSP/SSO. The Meal Pattern Waiver must be submitted and approved on a case-by-case basis.

  • USDA Waiver Summary
  • Program Operator Waiver Opt-ins/Approvals (last updated March 17, 2021)
  • Opt-in for the Parent Pickup Waiver (NSLP and SFSP/SSO)
  • Opt-in for the Distribution Plan for Multiple Days (NSLP and SFSP/SSO)
  • Opt-in for the Area Eligibility Waiver (SFSP/SSO)
  • Submit a Meal Pattern Waiver (NSLP and SFSP/SSO)
    • Step-by-Step Instruction: How to Submit a Meal Pattern Waiver (Quick Guide)
  • Alternative Site Waiver (FFVP)
  • Parent/Guardian Pick-up Waiver (FFVP)
  • Opt-in for Area Eligibility Waiver for At-Risk After School Meals
  • Opt-in Waiver Request Process for the Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • Monitoring Waiver Extension (FDCH)
  • Waiver to Extend Fire and Health Inspections Expiration Dates (FDCH)
  • ADE Child Nutrition Programs State Waiver Request

Child Nutrition Programs will be reviewed by the Arizona Department of Education during Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and Program Year (PY) 2021.
 

  • Administrative Reviews: All School Food Authorities (SFAs) that were scheduled for an Administrative Review (AR) during this program year and are continuing to operate under the National School Lunch Program will receive an AR during this program year.
  • Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Simplified or Summer Seamless Option (SSO) Reviews: Operators of the SFSP or the SSO will receive a SFSP or SSO review starting in January if any one of the following apply:
    1. An SFA was scheduled for an NSLP Administrative Review in PY21.
    2. An SFA or Community Organization is due for a SFSP review in accordance with the SFSP review schedule.
    3. An SFA was new to operating the summer program and elected to operate the SFSP in FY21 or late FY20 and has not received a SFSP review.
  • Procurement Reviews will continue as usual and will be conducted via desk reviews.
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Reviews: Centers, Head Starts, emergency shelters, and family day care home sponsors operating the CACFP will continue to receive reviews starting December 2020. The CACFP review schedule will not be posted. Operators may contact their assigned program specialist to learn if they are due for a review.


Review Schedules

  • AR/SFSP/SSO Reviews Scheduled During COVID-19 By Program
  • Procurement Review Schedule for PY 21

 

Training

  • What to Expect: Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Review School Year 2020-2021
  • What to Expect: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Review Fiscal Year 2021
  • What to Expect: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Review Fiscal Year 2021

 

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Health and Nutrition Services is offering a variety of virtual trainings to Child Nutrition Program operators from January through May to provide valuable information on operating the programs and supporting your review during COVID-19. All live webinars will be recorded and posted in the brochure below. All past COVID-19 webinars that occurred June-December 2020 are available in the brochure.

  • e-Training Brochure for Child Nutrition Operators Serving Children During the School Year and Summer

United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, is providing additional funds through two temporary reimbursement programs, School Programs Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program Emergency Operational Costs Reimbursement Program. These programs will provide eligible operators additional reimbursements for emergency operating costs they incurred during the months of March-June 2020.

Arizona Department of Education (ADE) anticipates that the funds will be disbursed by July 31, 2021. Additional information will be released regarding eligibility for these programs and how ADE will issue payment to each program operator in the coming months.

  • SP 06-2021, CACFP 05-2021: Child Nutrition Programs Emergency Operating Costs During COVID-19: Implementation Guidance for State Agencies
  • HNS 05-2021: Child Nutrition Program Emergency Operating Costs During COVID-19

USDA has released guidance that SFAs who collected applications at any time during SY 20-21 are required to conduct verification activities. Although schools may have transitioned to SFSP/SSO operations, verification is required because school meal applications are used to establish eligibility for P-EBT.

  • SP 04-2021, CACFP 03-2021, SFSP 03-2021: Questions and Answers Relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Option Operations during School Year 2020-2021 - Q&As #3,
  • Verification Best Practices Calendar
  • Webinar: Verification Review for SY 20-21 (Webinar Slides)
  • It's More Than a Meal Application (English) (Spanish)

ADE Health and Nutrition Services, in partnership with the Arizona School Nutrition Programs Advisory Council (SNPAC), has developed a Mobile Meals Toolkit to assist operators with transitioning to a mobile meal service model. Adapted from No Kid Hungry’s SFSP Mobile Meals Toolkit, this toolkit provides a set of questions to determine community need and organizational capacity to implement such a model, a planning and implementation checklist, and success stories from Arizona school nutrition programs who have successfully implemented a mobile model.

Section 1: Needs Assessment

  • Are Mobile Meals Right for Your Community?
  • Are Mobile Meals Right for Your Food Service Operation?
  • Conversation Checklist

 

Section 2: Planning and Implementation

  • CNPWeb Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Mobile Meal Service Routes
  • Financial Sustainability Tool
  • Planning and Implementation Checklist
  • COVID 19 SFSP and SSO Meal Delivery QA

 

Section 3: Mobile Meals Success Stories

  • Bus Routes at a Small, Rural District: Grand Canyon Unified School District
  • Bus Routes at a Small, Rural District: Blue Ridge Unified School District
  • Bus Routes at a Large, Urban District: Tucson Unified School District
  • Partnering with Your Caterer for Mobile Meal Service

 

The SNPAC also hosted a webinar where a panel of council members shared their experiences and best practices for starting a mobile meal service model. View the recording and access the slides below.

  • Webinar: Starting a Mobile Meal Service Model (Recording) (Slides)

SY 2020-2021 COVID-19 waivers have created a unique opportunity for all SFAs to operate At-Risk Afterschool Meals. Each SFA, regardless of eligibility, has the chance to participate in At-Risk Afterschool Meals this year which will not only provide much needed additional meals to children in need in your communities, but has the potential to greatly impact your program revenue. The application process is simple and the benefits are great.  Waivers end June 30, 2020 so take advantage of the opportunity for the rest of SY 2020-2021.

  • Application
    • SFA At-Risk Afterschool Meals Responsible Principals Addendum  
    • Opt-in for Area Eligibility Waiver for At-Risk After School Meals (if applicable)
    • Electronic Add/Change/Delete Form 
    • Training - How to Apply for At-Risk Afterschool Meals for School Food Authorities
  • Benefits
    • Webinar - Increasing Revenue Through At-Risk Afterschool Meals (Recording) (Slides)

  • School Nutrition Association Coronavirus Resources
  • School Nutrition Association Back to School Resources
  • No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices
  • No Kid Hungry Grant Opportunity: Promising Practices to End Rural Child Hunger (Nov 18 deadline)
  • Institute of Child Nutrition
  • Food Research and Action Center
  • Lunch Assist COVID-19 Resources for Schools
  • The Lunch Box Resources for Schools
  • SFSP Promotional Materials
  • USDA Team Nutrition
    • Handwashing and Cleaning Resources
    • Best Practices for Parent Pick-Up of Meals and Snacks
    • School Meals Programs: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic
    • Summer Food Service Program: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time
    • Seamless Summer Option: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time
    • Child and Adult Care Food Program: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time
    • Feeding Kids When Schools are Closed Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Action for Healthy Kids COVID-19 Resources

  • 6/25/20 – Get Informed
  • 6/25/20 – New and Extended Waivers for SY 20-21
  • 7/1/20 – Transitioning into NSLP
  • 7/7/20 – USDA Q&A Response #1
  • 7/8/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Webinar Summaries
  • 7/10/20 – COVID-19 Communications: New HNS Memorandum
  • 7/13/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Q&A: Update on Bus Route Meal Delivery
  • 7/20/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Q&A: Updates on Operating NSLP During Distance Learning
  • 7/23/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Q&A: Multiple Days Meal Distribution
  • 8/3/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Afterschool Feeding Webinar
  • 8/6/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Feeding Distance Learners – Webinar
  • 8/14/20 – COVID-19 Communications: COVID-19 Waiver Updates
  • 8/20/20 – COVID-19 Communications: SFSP Waiver Extensions
  • 8/21/20 – COVID-19 Communications: USDA Child Nutrition Programs Q&A
  • 8/24/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Q&A
  • 8/31/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Summer Meal Programs Extended
  • 9/1/20 – COVID-19 Communications: SFSP Operation, Waivers and Webinar
  • 9/3/20 – COVID-19 Communications: HNS 38-2020: Application for SFSP Sept-Dec Operations
  • 9/8/20 – COVID-19 Communications: USDA Foods & SFSP/SSO Operations
  • 9/15/20 – COVID-19 Communications: New SFSP Waiver, Q&A and Webinar
  • 9/17/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Updated SFSP Application Guidance
  • 9/17/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Transitioning to SFSP – SFA Guidance
  • 9/22/20 – COVID-19 Communications: Serving SFSP During School Breaks
  • 9/23/20 – COVID-19 Communications: SFSP Claiming FAQ for SFAs and Webinar
  • 10/9/20 – COVID-19 Communications: USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through June 30, 2021
  • 10/21/20 – COVID-19 Communications: SFSP Operations Extended through June 30, 2021: New SFSP/SSO Q&A and Webinar
  • 11/2/20 – COVID-19 Communications: New USDA CNP Q&A and Webinar

Family Day Care Homes

  • 9/1/2020 - FDCH Monitoring Wavier Extension
  • 9/1/2020 - FDCH Waiver to Extend Fire and Health Inspection Expiration Dates 
  • COVID-19: Guidance to Child Nutrition Operators
  • P-EBT Issuance for SY 20-21
  • Providing Meals During the School Day
    • National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
  • Providing Meals/Snacks in Childcare and Adult Care
    • Child Care Centers
    • Family Day Care Homes
    • Adult Care Centers
    • Emergency Shelters
  • Providing Meals/Snacks After School
    • Afterschool Care Snack Program and At-Risk Afterschool Meals
  • Providing Meals/Snacks During the Summer
    • Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option
  • HNS/USDA Memos
  • Free and Reduced-Price Percentage Report
  • Civil Rights
  • Submit Data Request

Contact

  • Health & Nutrition Services
  • (602) 542-8700

From the Health and Nutrition Services Blog

Arizona Farm to School Network Virtual Gathering. Register today! Wed, Feb 24 2021

Don’t miss this year’s virtual gathering. Join us to celebrate Arizona's Farm to School progress despite COVID-19!

 

Congratulations to Concordia Charter School for receiving a School Year 2019-2020 FFVP BRAVOcado! Excellence Award! Tue, Nov 17 2020

ADE has awarded Concordia Charter School a FFVP BRAVOcado! Excellence Award for their Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) operations during school year 2019-2020.

Arizona State Seal
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Certification
  • Data & Public Records Request
  • School Report Cards
  • State Board of Education
  • State Board for Charter Schools

© 2021 Arizona Department of Education

Social Links

Twitter_Social_Icon_Circle_White.png

Twitter logo

f_logo_RGB-White_58.png

Facebook logo
  • Statewide Policies
  • Site Map