Skip to main content
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States Government.
Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

SSL

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

USDA-FNS
  • COVID-19
  • Contact Us
  • Report Fraud
  • Ask USDA
  • USDA.gov
USDA-FNS
  • Home
    • Data & Research
    • Research & Analysis
    • Program Data
    • Child Nutrition Tables
    • Food Distribution Program Tables
    • SNAP Tables
    • Puerto Rico NAP Tables
    • WIC Data Tables
    • Grants
    • Financial Management
    • Newsroom
    • Federal Register Documents
    • Farm Bill
    • FNS Press Releases
    • Notice to Stakeholders
    • FNS Infographics
    • FNS Blogs
    • FNS Newsletters
    • USDA Press Releases
    • USDA Blogs
    • Webinars & Videos
    • Contact FNS Press Office
    • Resources
    • Fact Sheets
    • Federal Register
    • Guidance Documents
    • Policy Memos
    • Videos/Webinars
    • All Resources
    • Our Agency
    • Our Deputy Under Secretary
    • Contact us
    • Civil Rights
    • Core Nutrition Messages
    • FNS Partnerships
    • Freedom of Information Act
    • FNS Human Resources
    • State Systems Office
    • Programs
    • Child and Adult Care Food Program
    • Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
    • Community Food Systems
    • Commodity Supplemental Food Program
    • Farmers Market Nutrition Program
    • FNS Disaster Assistance
    • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
    • Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
    • Food Safety
    • NAP Block Grants
    • National School Lunch Program
    • School Breakfast Program
    • Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
    • SNAP
    • Special Milk Program
    • Summer Food Service Program
    • Team Nutrition
    • TEFAP
    • USDA Foods in Schools
    • WIC

Proposed Rules: Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements in the NSLP and SBP

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. National School Lunch Program
Publication Date
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Link
Federal Register Link
PDF Link
Print Version
Resource type
Proposed Rule
Comment Period End Date
Monday, March 23, 2020
The comment period for the proposed rule published on Jan. 23, 2020 (85 FR 4094) has been extended through April 22, 2020. To be assured of consideration, comments must be received on or before April 22, 2020.

This rulemaking proposes changes to simplify meal pattern and monitoring requirements in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The proposed changes, including optional flexibilities, are customer-focused and intended to help State and local Program operators overcome operational challenges that limit their ability to manage these Programs efficiently.

In the National School Lunch Program, the proposed rule would add flexibility to the existing vegetable subgroups requirement. In the School Breakfast Program, the proposed rule would make it easier for menu planners to offer meats/meat alternates and grains interchangeably (without offering a minimum grains requirement daily), and would allow schools to offer ½ cup of fruit in breakfasts served outside the cafeteria to reduce food waste.

Other proposed changes would make it easier for local Program operators to plan menus for different age/grade groups, and expand the entrée exemption service timeframe for competitive foods. To improve efficiency in Program monitoring, the proposed rule also would ease several administrative review requirements, including the review cycle. The monitoring changes aim to decrease the burden associated with administrative reviews while rewarding program integrity initiatives at the State and local levels.

This rule also proposes to make updates, clarifications, and technical corrections throughout other parts of its regulations. Implementation of the wide range of proposed changes and flexibilities is expected to simplify operational requirements, increase efficiency, and make it easier for State and local Program operators to feed children.

See Also:
  • Audio Clips
  • Fact Sheet
  • Press Release
  • Proposed Rule
01/23/2020
  • Home
  • Data & Research
  • Grants
  • Newsroom
  • Resources
  • Our Agency
  • Programs
  • USDA
  • USA.gov
  • WhiteHouse.gov
  • FNS PartnerWeb.gov
  • No Fear Act
  • Privacy Policy
  • Non-Discrimination Statement
  • Civil Rights
  • FOIA
  • Information Quality
  • Peer Review
  • Accessibility

Sign up for Updates

USDA-FNS
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Gov Delivery
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • Youtube