Announcements and Alerts

Public Notification - NSLP Waiver Request

Date: October 27, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request that would allow LEAs electing to participate in CEP or Provision 2 the flexibility to use existing food service fund balances to support the cost differential for meals provided under those programs. If granted, this waiver request would allow schools to pilot existing USDA programs that allow meals to be offered at no charge to families without incurring undue financial burden to the school district. 

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4698.

Public Notification - SFSP Waiver Request

Date: September 27, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request for school sites to operate SFSP during an unanticipated school closure.  If granted, this waiver request would provide school sites with the flexibility to operate the SFSP during unanticipated school closures during the school year, provided that safety measure allow.  These sites are familiar and accessible to families, which is an important element during natural disasters.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4698.

 

Public Notification - CEP Deadline Waiver

Date: September 20, 2023

In anticipation of a final rule to be issued by the USDA, which will lower the eligibility threshold for CEP participation, the Rhode Island Department of Education plans to submit a revision to our waiver request extending the deadline to elect to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) for SY23-24. The normal deadline for electing CEP is June 30th. RIDE was previously granted a waiver to extend this deadline to August 15th, 2023. If granted, this waiver revision will extend that deadline to December 31, 2023, which will allow eligible schools to elect to participate in CEP mid-year. 

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4269.

Public Notification - Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Waiver Request 

Date: July 20, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request for relief from a requirement of the SFSP that states meals can only be claimed for reimbursement after the Sponsor has received written notification of application approval.  If granted, the waiver would allow Sponsors whose summer programs began prior to application approval to claim reimbursable meals served to needy children throughout Rhode Island.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4698

.

Public Notification - National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Waiver Requests

Date: July 18, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans on submitting a waiver request for relief from certain requirements of the NSLP, SBP, SSO, and SFSP to allow for flexibility in meal service during times of unanticipated school closure: 

SFSP & SSO

  • Non-congregate meal service during unanticipated school closures
  • Parent and guardian meal pick-up during unanticipated school closures
  • Meal service times for unanticipated school closures
  • Service of meals at school sites for unanticipated school closures

NSLP & SBP

  • Non-congregate meal service during unanticipated school closures with virtual learning
  • Parent and guardian meal pick-up during unanticipated school closures with virtual learning
  • Meal service times for unanticipated school closures with virtual learning
  • Offer vs. Serve for meal service during unanticipated school closures with virtual learning

If granted, these waivers would allow Sponsors of the child nutrition programs to provide uninterrupted meal service to children 18 years and under during unanticipated school closures, without or without distance learning, when meal service options are limited due to natural disasters, unscheduled major building repairs, court orders relating to school safety, or other issues as approved by the State Agency for similar unanticipated circumstances during the 2023-2024 school year.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4253.

Public Notification - School Nutrition Programs Administrative & Procurement Review Cycle Waiver Request

Date: March 29, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) plans to submit a waiver request to extend the review cycle for conducting Administrative Reviews and Procurement Reviews of School Food Authorities (SFAs) participating in the School Nutrition Programs (SNPs) from the currently required 3-year cycle to a 5-year cycle. If granted, this waiver will reduce administrative burden for both RIDE and SFA staff and will allow RIDE staff to provide additional training and technical assistance to program operators. 

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4269.

Public Notification - Summer Food Service Program Final Integrity Rule Waiver

Date: March 14, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans to submit a waiver request to delay the compliance date of the recently released Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Final Integrity Rule from May 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024. If granted, this waiver will allow RIDE to focus on providing additional training and technical assistance to our Sponsors prior to implementation of the new regulations. 

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-8701.

 

Public Notification - CEP Deadline Waiver

Date: March 13, 2023

The Rhode Island Department of Education plans to submit a waiver request for extending the deadline to elect to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) for FY23. The normal deadline for electing CEP is June 30th. If granted, this waiver will extend that deadline to August 15th, 2023.

For more information on the program, call the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office of Statewide Efficiencies, Child Nutrition Programs at (401) 222-4269.