Answer: At the start of school closures in the spring, FNS waived the requirement to serve school meals in a congregate setting; allowed delivery of school meals; and waived meal time requirements. Parents and guardians also were permitted to pick up or receive meals for their children without the children being present. FNS also allowed school meals to function under Summer Food Program rules, which alleviated many of the paperwork and verification requirements schools typically have to meet for school meals.
On August 31, USDA announced that it will extend the flexibilities allowing school meals to function under Summer Food Program rules through December, 2020. This waiver will allow students to receive meals at any school, even if they are not enrolled there. In addition, FNS has extended the waivers that allow schools to serve to-go or in-classroom meals, to avoid meeting certain nutrition requirements, if necessary, and to allow parents and guardians to pick up meals.
All child nutrition waivers are available on the FNS website.