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Child Nutrition News 

 

Advocacy Update: Child Nutrition Waivers

Smiling girl in school cafeteria holding lunch tray.

In the omnibus spending bill passed last week, Congress failed to extend USDA’s authority to issue critical child nutrition waivers to ensure children’s continued access to healthy meals this summer and next school year. By failing to prioritize these waivers, Congress has jeopardized children’s health, wellbeing, and academic recovery, and furthered the already staggering financial and administrative burdens on schools and summer meal sponsors.

Congress can—and must—fix this, and do so quickly. The next pandemic relief legislation passed by Congress must extend USDA’s waiver authority and include previously introduced child nutrition provisions that will expand access to school meals and Summer EBT.

Thank you to the many advocates who have joined the nationwide call for waiver extensions. Your continued advocacy is needed. Contact your representatives today to share the urgent need for waiver extensions and additional investments in child nutrition programs.

 

Register Now: Summer Meals Webinar

Closing the Summer Meals Gap: Updates & New Resources to Reach More NY Kids This Summer

March 24, 2022, 11 AM

While much remains unknown about meal program operations this summer, local sponsors and sites are already hard at work strategizing to maximize access and leverage community-wide outreach to reach as many children as possible. Join Hunger Solutions New York, No Kid Hungry New York, and New York State Education Department to learn more about opportunities and new resources to help grow the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and connect families with additional nutrition supports. Can’t make it? Register anyway to receive follow up resources.

 

NYSED Now Accepting Applications for 2022 SFSP Sponsors, Training Schedule Announced

Girl eating watermelon outside

Applications are now open for 2022 SFSP sponsors: new sponsor applications are due May 1, 2022, and experienced sponsor renewals are due June 1, 2022.

View NYSED's announcement to learn more and request a new sponsor application. Please note: this application process pertains to sponsors—organizations like school districts, food banks, municipalities, and others sponsoring the SFSP in their community—not site locations, which operate and receive training through their local sponsor.

Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young explained, “[SFSP] sponsors across the state stepped up over these past two years to provide critical assistance to some of our most vulnerable students. There is still work to be done, and I encourage any organization interested in fighting hunger in their community to apply to be a part of this special program.”

NYSED will hold mandatory sponsor training webinars in April for sponsors planning to participate in summer 2022. View the training schedule and register here. 

 

Celebrate National CACFP Week, March 13-19, 2022

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) helps afterschool programs and child care providers serve healthy meals and snacks to children in their care, bolstering kids’ learning and development. CACFP has played an especially critical role during COVID-19, supporting access to nutrition amid increased food insecurity and rising food costs.

This National CACFP Week, please join us in thanking CACFP providers for their work to nourish New York’s children, and help us spread the word to expand access to this valuable program. Visit AfterschoolMealsNY.org and ChildCareMealsNY.org to learn more and access outreach resources.

Post on social media to share how CACFP benefits kids and providers in your community. Tag us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and use the hashtag #CACFPweek. Share these sample posts to raise awareness: 

  • Now more than ever, #CACFP is a vital support for kids, families & providers. Learn how more #afterschool programs and #childcare providers can join to receive reimbursement funding for healthy food: ChildcareMealsNY.org #CACFPweek
  • It's #CACFPweek! We are grateful for the many schools, programs & providers nourishing youth with CACFP's #AfterschoolMeals & #ChildcareMeals. More can join! Learn how: ChildCareMealsNY.org
  • #CACFP participation is linked with healthy eating habits & positive health outcomes for kids. More #childcare & #afterschool providers can join: ChildcareMealsNY.org #CACFPweek

Hunger Solutions New York
14 Computer Drive East | Albany, New York 12205
518-436-8757 | info@hungersolutionsny.org

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