As previously reported on LNN, all USDA lunch, supper, weekend, and holiday boxes will be discontinued when School opens for the new School year.
Some Yeshivas that have already opened up have already distributed their final food box. Other schools that haven’t opened up yet will still be distributing one more food box.
Chris Kelly, a spokesperson from USDA’s Mid-Atlantic Region Office previously released the following statement to LNN, “schools cannot operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) after the regular school year begins, but may choose to participate in Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs when schools reopen for SY 2021-2022. The main purpose of the SFSP is to provide food service to children when schools are closed (7 CFR 225.1). Because FNS did not issue a waiver allowing SFSP to operate when schools are open during the regular school year in SY 2021-2022, SFSP operations must end when schools reopen for the new school year.
“Consistent with supporting a transition back to more traditional school year operations, school food authorities may not provide weekend or holiday meals through the SSO when school is in session during the regular school year in SY 2021-2022. However, SSO weekend meals will remain available during unanticipated school closures. Furthermore, weekend or holiday meals may be provided through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program, which is more widely available in SY 2021-2022 due to the area eligibility waiver (Nationwide Waiver #93).”
