ATTENTION:   Co-op Directors; Superintendents; Child Nutrition Directors; Business Managers

The purpose of this memo is to provide guidance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and School Food Authorities (SFAs) regarding the extension of the below waivers for meal services under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for Summer 2021 feeding programs.

Prior elections on waivers submitted continue under the below extensions; therefore, no further opt in action is needed from the SFA.

• COVID-19 Response #73: Child Nutrition Waiver Update announcing extensions of needed flexibilities for summer 2021 operations for the National School Lunch Program and the Seamless Summer Program.

• COVID-19 Response #74 - Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 9

• COVID-19 Response #75: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-congregate Feeding for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 6

• COVID-19 Response #76: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Parents and Guardian to Pick Up Meals for Children for Summer 2021Operations - EXTENSION 6

• COVID-19 Response #77: Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 4

• COVID 19 Response #78: Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions for Summer 2021 Operations – EXTENSION 3

• COVID 19 Response #80: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Area Eligibility for Closed Enrolled Sites for Summer 2021 Operations - EXTENSION 3

Schedule C – 21
SFAs interested in operating SSO during the summer months (June, July, and August) must fill out a C-21 for each site administering meal service. 

*If the SFA has an approved C-21, please notify your Area Specialist if an update is needed.  CNU must approve changes to the C-21 form including date and site changes.

Claim for Reimbursement
SFAs operating SSO during the summer months (June, July, & August of 2021) must claim these meals using an SSO claim to receive reimbursement.

In the month of August, SFAs may have to submit two claims if serving SSO meals and traditional School Breakfast, National School Lunch, and/or Afterschool Snack Programs.
An SSO claim would be required for SSO meals, and a regular claim is required for meals served on a scheduled traditional school day.

Arkansas CNU is working toward plans for the 2021-2022 school year including the transition from SSO back to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) once all waivers are no longer in effect.  Information will continue to be communicated as it is received it from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

If you have questions, please email your Area Specialist or contact them at 501-324-9502.