Local Food for Schools
TDA recently announced $22.3 million in grants through the Local Food for Schools program that will be made to NSLP and SBP CEs. CEs will be able to apply for funds to purchase minimally or unprocessed foods produced in Texas to serve in their meal programs. More information on how to apply will be coming soon.
With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, TDA has retired its dedicated COVID-19 page. Materials and resources (for example, FAQs and webinar links) have been moved to other locations.
All waivers and flexibilities associated with the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and the Keep Kids Fed Act (KKFA) of 2022 expired June 30, 2023. These include the end of higher KKFA reimbursement rates, the end of area eligibility waivers for Tier II day care home providers, waivers of onsite monitoring requirements, non-congregate flexibilities tied to COVID-19 outbreaks, Local Wellness Policy triennial assessment deadline extensions, and TDA's discretion to not issue fiscal action in the event of a supply chain disruption. Click the headline for details.
Updates to Civil Rights Nondiscrimination Statement
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has updated the required Nondiscrimination Statement on their website to include a link to the new USDA Complaint Form. However, there has been no formal announcement about the change. Until further official notice from FNS to begin updating materials, no updates are currently required, although TDA will be including the newer version as resources are updated. TDA will provide further instructions once the new NDS is officially announced.
Independent Review of Applications
Contracting Entities (CEs) that exceeded the 9% threshold for application errors are required to conduct an independent review of applications.
The Attachment B Upload module in TX-UNPS opened on July 1, 2023. All, contracting entities (CEs) must upload the school meal application, application instructions, and the template letters used for free and reduced-price eligibility. The completion of the Attachment B Upload module is due by October 31, 2023.
Sodium Target 1A, as promulgated by the Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains and Sodium - Final Rule, goes into effect on July 1, 2023, in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) only. There will be no change to sodium limits for breakfasts served through the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Please refer to this chart for specific Sodium Target 1A limits by grade level.
USDA Foods for School Year 2023-2024 will kick-off with TX-UNPS allocations in mid-July! Click the headline link for more information.