TDA has received approval from USDA to approve SFSP and SSO operators in good standing to serve non-congregate meals at outdoor SFSP or SSO sites when one or both of the following have occurred in the area where the site is located:

• The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, or Excessive Heat Watch
• The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a purple flag or higher, air-quality warning for the area 

The Waiver Request to Serve Summer Non-Congregate Meals in Cases of Extreme Heat/Poor Air Quality must be used to report non-congregate meals served under this waiver. While the form can be submitted after the service occurs, TDA will review and approve all requests and supporting documentation. If TDA determines that the applicable weather advisory was not issued or that the sponsor did not meet all requirements as noted below, TDA will notify the sponsor that any non-congregate meals must not be claimed for reimbursement.

TDA has released the Paid Lunch Equity Tool for the upcoming SY 2025-2026 on the NSLP Administration/Forms page

School Year 2025-2026 
• Make sure your team logs into WBSCM to maintain active status. Please check your user accounts in WBSCM to ensure that appropriate SFA staff are active, have the correct roles assigned, and that their email addresses are up to date. 

• Round 2 is complete for direct delivery items. WBSCM requisitions are either associated with truckload sales order numbers or are blank, meaning they have been canceled. 

• Requests for USDA Foods can be tracked using the WBSCM Requisition Status Report. Pricing fluctuations will continue until items reach "Purchased" status. 

• Surplus direct delivery cases will be available throughout the program year. More information to be communicated soon. 

• Gold Star Foods will utilize a new warehouse in Fort Worth for the upcoming school year. TDA has updated all SY26 requisitions to reflect this change. 

• If you opted into the DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program, this will be displayed on your WBSCM Entitlement/Bonus Summary report. Funds are loaded into FFAVORS. Unspent values in WBSCM cannot be moved to increase DoD Fresh program funds. Please remember to complete receipts in FFAVORS for each delivery within two business days of the delivery date. 

• TDA monitors the monthly utilization of DoD funds in FFAVORS to ensure proper use of entitlements. To maximize your DoD entitlement, SFAs should spend, at minimum, 10% of their funds per month. SFAs who have not been utilizing funds may risk redistribution. 

• The current rate of assistance published by USDA is 45 cents per meal. Initial PY 26 Planned Assistance Level (PAL) information is available in WBSCM reports under the Entitlement/Bonus Summary Report. 

• Refer to the Resources page on www.squaremeals.org, Food Distribution Program for NSLP, for helpful information regarding ordering USDA Foods. Round 2 Recap for direct delivery is posted on the Food Distribution for NSLP under the Resources Link 

School Year 2024-2025 
• Program year ended 06-30-25. Refer to WBSCM Balances by reviewing the Entitlement Bonus/Summary Report. 

• For questions regarding USDA Foods, please contact your respective Education Service Center Child Nutrition representative for guidance, training, and technical assistance in WBSCM.

Visit USDA for more information on the Final Rule and upcoming changes. Let us know what kind of resources would best support you in implementing these new meal standards – Click here! 

TANS implementation timelines have changed since the publishing of this article. Please visit the TANS SquareMeals page for the most current information.