Miscellaneous provisions
Accounts and records
Agreements
In general
Expectations for use of funds
Agreements described in paragraph (1) shall include a provision that—
supports full use of Federal funds provided to State agencies and Indian Tribal organizations for the administration of programs authorized under this chapter or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.); and
excludes the Federal funds from State and Indian Tribal organization budget restrictions or limitations including, at a minimum—
hiring freezes;
work furloughs; and
travel restrictions.
Requirements with respect to teaching personnel, curriculum, instruction, etc.
Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter—
Child.—
In general.—
The term “child” includes an individual, regardless of age, who—
is determined by a State educational agency, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to have one or more disabilities; and
is attending any institution, as defined in section 1766(a) of this title, or any nonresidential public or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, for the purpose of participating in a school program established for individuals with disabilities.
Relationship to child and adult care food program.—
No institution that is not otherwise eligible to participate in the program under section 1766 of this title shall be considered eligible because of this paragraph.
“Commodity only schools” means schools that do not participate in the school lunch program under this chapter, but which receive commodities made available by the Secretary for use by such schools in nonprofit lunch programs.
Disability.—
The term “disability” has the meaning given the term in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for purposes of title II of that Act (29 U.S.C 760 et seq.).
Local educational agency.—
In general.—
The term “local educational agency” has the meaning given the term in section 7801 of title 20.
Inclusion.—
The term “local educational agency” includes, in the case of a private nonprofit school, an appropriate entity determined by the Secretary.
“School” means (A) any public or nonprofit private school of high school grade or under, and (B) any public or licensed nonprofit private residential child care institution (including, but not limited to, orphanages and homes for the mentally retarded, but excluding Job Corps Centers funded by the Department of Labor). For purposes of this paragraph, the term “nonprofit”, when applied to any such private school or institution, means any such school or institution which is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of title 26.
“School year” means the annual period from July 1 through June 30.
“Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
“State” means any of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
“State educational agency” means, as the State legislature may determine, (A) the chief State school officer (such as the State superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of education, or similar officer), or (B) a board of education controlling the State department of education.
Value of assistance as income or resources under Federal or State laws
Adjustment of national average payment rate for Alaska, Hawaii, territories and possessions, etc.
Criminal penalties
Combined allocation for breakfast and lunch
Use of school lunch facilities for elderly programs
Reimbursement for final claims
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may provide reimbursements for final claims for service of meals, supplements, and milk submitted to State agencies by eligible schools, summer camps, family day care homes, institutions, and service institutions only if—
the claims have been submitted to the State agencies not later than 60 days after the last day of the month for which the reimbursement is claimed; and
the final program operations report for the month is submitted to the Secretary not later than 90 days after the last day of the month.
The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (1) at the discretion of the Secretary.
Repealed. Pub. L. 111–296, title IV, § 441(a)(4), Dec. 13, 2010, 124 Stat. 3261
Waiver of statutory and regulatory requirements
Except as provided in paragraph (4), the Secretary may waive any requirement under this chapter or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), or any regulation issued under either this chapter or such Act, for a State or eligible service provider that requests a waiver if—
the Secretary determines that the waiver of the requirement would facilitate the ability of the State or eligible service provider to carry out the purpose of the program;
the State or eligible service provider has provided notice and information to the public regarding the proposed waiver; and
the State or eligible service provider demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the waiver will not increase the overall cost of the program to the Federal Government, and, if the waiver does increase the overall cost to the Federal Government, the cost will be paid from non-Federal funds.
The notice and information referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be provided in the same manner in which the State or eligible service provider customarily provides similar notices and information to the public.
To request a waiver under paragraph (1), a State or eligible service provider (through the appropriate administering State agency) shall submit an application to the Secretary that—
identifies the statutory or regulatory requirements that are requested to be waived;
in the case of a State requesting a waiver, describes actions, if any, that the State has undertaken to remove State statutory or regulatory barriers;
describes the goal of the waiver to improve services under the program and the expected outcomes if the waiver is granted; and
includes a description of the impediments to the efficient operation and administration of the program.
An application described in subparagraph (A) shall be developed by the State or eligible service provider and shall be submitted to the Secretary by the State.
The Secretary shall act promptly on a waiver request contained in an application submitted under paragraph (2) and shall either grant or deny the request. The Secretary shall state in writing the reasons for granting or denying the request.
The Secretary may not grant a waiver under this subsection that increases Federal costs or that relates to—
the nutritional content of meals served;
Federal reimbursement rates;
the provision of free and reduced price meals;
limits on the price charged for a reduced price meal;
maintenance of effort;
equitable participation of children in private schools;
distribution of funds to State and local school food service authorities and service institutions participating in a program under this chapter and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.);
the disclosure of information relating to students receiving free or reduced price meals and other recipients of benefits;
prohibiting the operation of a profit producing program;
the sale of competitive foods;
the commodity distribution program under section 1762a of this title;
the special supplemental nutrition program authorized under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); or
enforcement of any constitutional or statutory right of an individual, including any right under—
title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.);
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794);
title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.);
the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.);
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.).
The Secretary shall periodically review the performance of any State or eligible service provider for which the Secretary has granted a waiver under this subsection and shall terminate the waiver if the performance of the State or service provider has been inadequate to justify a continuation of the waiver. The Secretary shall terminate the waiver if, after periodic review, the Secretary determines that the waiver has resulted in an increase in the overall cost of the program to the Federal Government and the increase has not been paid for in accordance with paragraph (1)(A)(iii).
The Secretary shall annually submit to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a report—
summarizing the use of waivers by the State and eligible service providers;
describing whether the waivers resulted in improved services to children;
describing the impact of the waivers on providing nutritional meals to participants; and
describing how the waivers reduced the quantity of paperwork necessary to administer the program.
As used in this subsection, the term “eligible service provider” means—
a local school food service authority;
a service institution or private nonprofit organization described in section 1761 of this title; or
a family or group day care home sponsoring organization described in section 1766 of this title.
Procurement training
In general
Buy American training
Procuring safe foods
Authorization of appropriations
Buy American
Definition of domestic commodity or product
In this subsection, the term “domestic commodity or product” means—
an agricultural commodity that is produced in the United States; and
a food product that is processed in the United States substantially using agricultural commodities that are produced in the United States.
Requirement
In general
Limitations
Subparagraph (A) shall apply only to—
a school food authority located in the contiguous United States; and
a purchase of a domestic commodity or product for the school lunch program under this chapter or the school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
Applicability to Hawaii
Applicability to Puerto Rico
Procurement contracts
Price for a paid lunch
Definition of paid lunch
Requirement
In general
Lower price
In general
In the case of a school food authority that established a price for a paid lunch in the previous school year that was less than the difference between the total Federal reimbursement for a free lunch and the total Federal reimbursement for a paid lunch, the school food authority shall establish an average price for a paid lunch that is not less than the price charged in the previous school year, as adjusted by a percentage equal to the sum obtained by adding—
2 percent; and
the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (food away from home index) used to increase the Federal reimbursement rate under section 1759a of this title for the most recent school year for which data are available, as published in the Federal Register.
Rounding
Maximum required price increase
In general
Discretionary increase
Equal or greater price
In general
Rounding
Exceptions
Reduction in price
A school food authority may reduce the average price of a paid lunch established under this subsection if the State agency ensures that funding from non-Federal sources (other than in-kind contributions) is added to the nonprofit school food service account of the school food authority in an amount estimated to be equal to at least the difference between—
the average price required of the school food authority for the paid lunches under paragraph (2); and
the average price charged by the school food authority for the paid lunches.
Non-Federal sources
Other programs
Regulations
Nonprogram food sales
Definition of nonprogram food
In this subsection:
In general
The term “nonprogram food” means food that is—
sold in a participating school other than a reimbursable meal provided under this chapter or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.); and
purchased using funds from the nonprofit school food service account of the school food authority of the school.
Inclusion
Revenues
In general
Accrual
Effective date
Disqualified schools, institutions, and individuals
Source
(June 4, 1946, ch. 281, § 12, formerly § 11, 60 Stat. 233; July 12, 1952, ch. 699, § 1(c), 66 Stat. 591; Pub. L. 87–688, § 3(a),Notes
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Codification
Amendments
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
Effective Date of 1998 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
Effective Date of 1986 Amendments
The amendments made by subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) [amending sections 1760 and 1784 of this title] shall apply for the fiscal year beginning on
The amendments made by subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) [amending sections 1760 and 1784 of this title] shall apply for the school year beginning on
Effective Date of 1981 Amendment
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Effective Date of 1962 Amendment
Effective Date of 1952 Amendment
Nationwide Waiver for School Year 2022–2023
In general.—
For purposes of school year 2022-2023, the Secretary of Agriculture may establish waivers under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l))—
on a nationwide basis; and
without regard to the requirements under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of such section that a State or eligible service provider shall submit an application for a waiver request.
Sunset.—
A nationwide waiver established by the Secretary of Agriculture under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)) pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be in effect after
Operationally Ready
Waiver Exception for School Closures Due to COVID–19
In General.—
The requirements under section 12(l)(1)(A)(iii) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)(1)(A)(iii)) shall not apply to a qualified COVID–19 waiver.
Allowable Increase in Federal Costs.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (4) of section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)), the Secretary of Agriculture may grant a qualified COVID–19 waiver that increases Federal costs.
Termination After Periodic Review.—
The requirements under section 12(l)(5) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)(5)) shall not apply to a qualified COVID–19 waiver.
Qualified COVID–19 Waiver.—
In this section, the term ‘qualified COVID–19 waiver’ means a waiver—
requested by a State (as defined in section 12(d)(8) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(d)(8))) or eligible service provider under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)); and
to waive any requirement under such Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), or any regulation issued under either such Act, for purposes of providing meals and meal supplements under such Acts during a school closure due to COVID–19.”
National School Lunch Program Requirement Waivers Addressing COVID–19
Nationwide Waiver.—
In general.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may establish a waiver for all States under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)) due to the COVID–19 pandemic, for purposes of—
providing meals and meal supplements under a qualified program; or
ensuring continuity of program operation under a qualified program.
State election.—
A waiver established under paragraph (1) shall—
notwithstanding paragraph (2) of section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)), apply automatically to any State that elects to be subject to the waiver without further application; and
not be subject to the requirements under paragraph (3) of such section.
Child and Adult Care Food Program Waiver.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may grant a waiver under section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)) to allow non-congregate feeding under a child and adult care food program under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766) if such waiver is for the purposes of—
providing meals and meal supplements under such child and adult care food program; and
carrying out paragraph (1) with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID–19, as determined by the Secretary.
Meal Pattern Waiver.—
Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(A) of section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(l)) the Secretary may grant a waiver under such section that relates to the nutritional content of meals served if the Secretary determines that—
such waiver is necessary to provide meals and meal supplements under a qualified program; and
there is a supply chain disruption with respect to foods served under such a qualified program and such disruption is due to COVID–19.
Reports.—
Each State that receives a waiver under subsection (a), (b), or (c), shall, not later than 1 year after the date such State received such waiver, submit a report to the Secretary that includes a summary of the use of such waiver by the State and eligible service providers.
Sunset.—
Nationwide waivers.—
The authority of the Secretary to establish or grant a waiver under subsection (a) shall expire on
Waiver restriction.—
After
operating—
the qualified program described in subsection (f)(1)(D); or
the option described in section 13(a)(8) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(a)(8)); and
not operating the qualified program described in subsection (f)(1)(A).
Other waivers.—
Child and adult care food program waiver.—
The authority of the Secretary to establish or grant a waiver under subsection (b) shall expire on
Meal pattern waiver.—
The authority of the Secretary to establish or grant a waiver under subsection (c) shall expire on
Limitations.—
A waiver authorized by the Secretary under this section shall not be in effect after the date on which the authority of the Secretary to establish or grant that waiver under this subsection expires.
Definitions.—
In this section:
Qualified program.—
The term ‘qualified program’ means the following:
The school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
The school breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
The child and adult care food program under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766).
The summer food service program for children under section 13 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761).
Secretary.—
The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Agriculture.
State.—
The term ‘State’ has the meaning given such term in section 12(d)(8) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(d)(8)).”
Buy American Requirements
Enforcement.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [
enforce full compliance with the requirements of section 12(n) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(n)) for purchases of agricultural commodities, including fish, meats, vegetables, and fruits, and the products thereof, and
ensure that States and school food authorities fully understand their responsibilities under such Act [42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.].
Requirement.—
The products of the agricultural commodities described in subsection (a)(1) shall be processed in the United States and substantially contain—
meats, vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural commodities produced in—
a State,
the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or
any territory or possession of the United States, or
fish harvested—
within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States, as described in Presidential Proclamation 5030 (48 Fed. Reg. 10605;
by a United States flagged vessel.
Report.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the actions the Secretary has taken, and plans to take, to comply with this section.”