Waiver to Allow Specific Meal Pattern Flexibilities during school year 2021-22 |
Applying for this waiver waives the following requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements. These requirements are:
- That menus meet the dietary specification for sodium, at 7 CFR 210.10(b) (c), and (f); and 220.8(b), (c), and (f);
- That all grains offered be whole grain-rich, at 7 CFR 210.10(c); and 220.8(c);
- That, for pre-schoolers, at least one serving per day, across all eating occasions, must be whole grain-rich, at 7 CFR 210.10(o)(3) and (p); and 220.8(o);
- To offer a variety of vegetables from the vegetable subgroups, at 7 CFR 210.10(c) and 220.8(c);
- To offer a variety (at least two different options) of fluid milk, at 7CFR 210.10(d)(1)(i) and 220.8(d);
- That low-fat milk must be unflavored at 7 CFR 210.10(c) and (d)(1) (i), and 220.8(c) and (d); and
- To plan menus and offer food components for specified age/grade groups in the stated combinations at 7 CFR 210.10(c) and 220.8(c)
To participate in this waiver, local education agencies (LEAs) must notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) by completing this form showing how you plan to distribute and a justification for each requirement. FNS strongly encourages program operators to maintain and meet the nutrition standards to the greatest extent possible.