The latest Free and Reduced-Price Percentage Report is posted in the accordion below. Beginning SY 21-22, the report will contain a narrative that outlines the use of school meal data (including annual determinations and Special Provision Options), as well as an explanation of the free and reduced-price calculation.
During School Year (SY) 20-21 there was a significant decline in the number of SFAs who reported free and reduced-price lunch eligibility data as part of operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). This decline was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) waivers, which includes Child Nutrition Response #59: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Operations through School Year 2020-2021 – EXTENSION. Operation of SFSP/SSO does not require the use of free and reduced-price eligibility as all meals are provided at no cost and are reimbursed at the same rate, thus making the collection of individual income eligibility unnecessary. Most SFAs continued SFSP/SSO operation during SY 20-21. Therefore, the Free and Reduced-Price Percentage Report for SY 20-21 contains very limited data reflecting only those SFAs who continued with NSLP operation during SY 20-21. For SY 20-21, the Free and Reduced-Price Percentage Report can be requested on a case by case basis, by submitting a custom data request at https://www.azed.gov/data). The requester shall detail their needs for the free and reduced-price lunch eligibility data for SY 20-21.
The Arizona Department of Education Recognizes Schools for Exemplary Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs
The Arizona Department of Education Health and Nutrition Services is pleased to announce the Program Year 2021-2022 BRAVOcado! awardees for excellent Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) operations. The BRAVOcado! Excellence Award is given to schools that demonstrate exemplary FFVP service and commitment to promoting fruit and vegetable consumption and healthy lifestyles to their students.
The FFVP BRAVOcado! Excellence Award recognizes schools that go above and beyond to operate a phenomenal FFVP program. To be eligible for the award, sites must meet criteria related to variety of produce items served, frequency of service, frequency of nutrition education, frequency of serving local produce, development of site-level and outside partnerships, and more!
The following three School Food Authorities went above and beyond and received the award this year. Congratulations to all awardees!
