Nutrition / Agriculture
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 24, 2021 announced “Pandemic Assistance for Producers” to distribute resources equitably.
- On March 24, 2021 the USDA updated the fact sheet regarding activities to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Biden Administration extended the moratorium on residential evictions through June 30, 2021 in USDA multifamily housing communities.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused debt collections, foreclosures and other farm loan activities for borrowers distressed due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- The Biden Administration has paused residential evictions in USDA multifamily housing units per CDC guidance.
- The USDA has placed a suspension on additional assistance from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
- On November 3, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) published COVID-Related Procurement Dashboard.
- The Department of Agriculture has issued a rule to provide an additional $13.2 billion for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). These additional funds will allow support for producers who are experiencing COVID-19 related disruptions. They will be able to apply for the assistance from September 21-December 11, 2020.
- The Department of Agriculture has corrected the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), extending the application deadline to September 11, creating payment rates for specialty crops and clarifying aquaculture commodity eligibility requirements.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a study highlighting the potential risks to the Food and Nutrition Services Coronavirus Aid Relief, identifying 30 recommendations.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted flexibility to ensure that students have meals upon the start of the fall academic year. This new flexibility includes meal patterns, meals being served outside of group times and parent pickup of meals (June 25, 2020).
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) addresses management issues faced during COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector general addresses several challenges and solutions/ways to improve programmatically. (June 2020)
- Additional Nationwide Flexibilities for Food Programs
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
- On March 26,2021 FNS extended deadlines regarding Community Eligibility reporting during the public health emergency.
- FNS posted a memo on March 24,2021 regarding the option to temporarily increase the cash value for WIC vouchers.
- FNS updated the spreadsheet regarding the continuing resolution of SNAP state options.
- The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) posted Q&A about COVID-19 related temporary changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has posted updated guidance on the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT).
- FNS has posted guidance regarding the COVID-19 Child Nutrition Program emergency operating costs reimbursement.
- FNS has posted a Q&A regarding the temporary expansion of student eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- The Executive Order on economic relief prompted the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) announcement regarding the 15% increase in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Benefit.
- FNS is updating and increasing the thrifty food plan cost, which is the basis for calculating benefit levels for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- FNS has posted an informational memo on SNAP provisions in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
- FNS has extended the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Entitlement Calculations Opt-In Waiver for the 2021-2022 school year National School Lunch Program.
- FNS published guidance on the implementation of WIC and WIC FMNP waiver extension provisions.
- FNS updates COVID-19 page for Children Nutrition Programs. This includes Q&A relating to the Nationwide Waiver to Allow SFSP and Seamless Summer Option Operations through SY2020-21-Q&A #3.
- FNS announces the final rule for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Pandemic electronic benefits transfer (P-EBT) integrity, the Q&A for retailers, and the information on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).
- On October 20, FNS published a report of COVID-19 public health emergency data for forms FNS-10, FNS-44, and FNS-418.
- The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has extended program waivers through June 30, 2021, allowing the Summer Food Service Program to serve meals in all areas, serve outside of normal mealtimes, deviate from meal pattern requirements, allows parents to pick up the food for their children, allows for the reimbursement of program sponsors and the skipping of pre-approval visits and first week site checks.
- The above extended waiver also allows for Child Nutrition Programs to deviate from meal pattern requirements, as well as the ability to serve meals in all areas.
- FNS continues announcing waivers for nutrition programs. These are the announcement relative to the State of Arizona:
- FNS is working with state agencies to find new ways to allow WIC transactions without the presence of a cashier.
- FNS is removing the WIC requirement for onsite preauthorization visits.
- FNS is adjusting SNAP interview requirements due to COVID-19.
- FNS will allow the state agency to extend certification periods and waive periodic reports for households whose certification periods expired in March through May.
- FNS is denying requests from states that seek to adjust SNAP eligibility requirements by waiving restrictions on students’ eligibility.
- FNS is requesting the program operators provide Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program foods directly to students during COVID-19 emergency.
- FNS provided an extension for certain approved Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) COVID-19 waivers.
- FNS is allowing schools and after school care centers to serve at-risk afterschool meals and snacks to students regardless of their location through December 31, 2020.
- On September 11, FNS announced nationwide waiver to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval and Provide Flexibility for Pre-Approval Visits in the Summer Food Service Program.
- On September 11, FNS updated the Q&A regarding Nationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option Operations through December 2020.
- On September 11, FNS posted the webinar which provides guidance on flexibilities to manage USDA Foods in Schools during these unprecedented times due to COVID-19.
- The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has posted the webinar regarding the use of USDA foods in disasters, emergencies and times of distress.
- FNS has extended the due date for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) quality control case reviews, giving states an additional 45 days to submit.
- Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has extended the waivers for the Summer Food Service Program through December 31.
- On August 21, FNS updated Q&As for nutrition programs: General, Child Nutrition, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs.
- On August 20, FNS announced extension on Nationwide Waivers of Child Nutrition programs, they are:
- FNS updated state-by-state waiver and extension. The programs involved Arizona are SNAP adjusting interview requirements due to COVID-19 as of August 19, and extending certification periods and adjusting periodic reports as of August 13.
- Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has issued an extension of four nationwide waivers regarding on site monitoring of the school meals programs.
- On July 30, FNS extended the nationwide waiver to allow meal pattern flexibility in the Summer Food Service Program.
For general information and updates, please refer to Coronavirus.gov as the source for the latest information about COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, and answers to common questions.
