MDE to Request Federal Waivers for the School Nutrition Programs

(August 5, 2020 5:40 PM) The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will request several federal waivers of statutory and regulatory requirements in the School Nutrition Programs (SNP), in accordance with federal guidance, on behalf of all SNP sponsors determined to be in good standing in the state of Michigan.

MDE is seeking to request statewide waivers for School Year 2020-2021 for the following:

• Non-congregate meal service, parent pickup, and adjustments to mealtime requirements for Special Milk Program, Afterschool Snack Program, Seamless Summer Option, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
• Requirements for potable water, age-grade groups structure in the NSLP, and milk variety in the NSLP.
• Requirement to provide enrichment activities with the Afterschool Snack Program.

These waivers will help minimize potential exposure to the novel coronavirus by providing sponsors the flexibility to serve meals and snacks outside of the regular cafeteria settings. The waivers will also minimize the complexity of the meal pattern requirements for SNP sponsors.

SNP sponsors will be required to notify MDE which waivers are selected for use in their schools. Upon approval of the waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), further guidance will be issued to SNP sponsors in Michigan.

For questions about Michigan’s SNP, contact Diane Golzynski, Director of MDE’s Office of Health and Nutrition Services, at 517-241-5364 or mde-schoolnutrition@michigan.gov.