On February 21, 2024, USDA introduced a proposed rule that seeks to make the application of serious deficiency procedures in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program more consistent, effective, and in line with current requirements under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. USDA proposes to add clarity to the serious deficiency process by defining key terms, establishing a timeline for full correction, and establishing criteria for determining when the serious deficiency process must be implemented.

On March 9, 2024, the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law and provides new guidelines for School Nutrition Program sodium targets, service of low-fat flavored milk, vegetable substitutions in the School Breakfast Program, procurement of poultry from China, and NSLP Paid Lunch Equity requirements for School Year 2024-2025.

TDA has created a short (5–10 minutes) survey to support Farm Fresh programming. This year’s survey has been revamped to be less time consuming for CEs. It includes questions that will help determine what resources can be created to increase Farm Fresh activities. Respondents can remain anonymous. Please take a few minutes to complete the form here: Farm Fresh Survey ‘24

USDA released a final rule that revises the WIC food packages. CACFP institutions (other than outside-school-hours care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, emergency shelters, and adult day care centers) must ensure that parents of enrolled children are provided with current information on WIC.

More Info Here

This form must be submitted no later than June 30, 2024. On July 1, TDA will begin closing all unaffiliated At-Risk sites for which a form has not been submitted with an effective closing date of September 30. Please refer to the Sponsor Under a Sponsor FAQs for more information on this new process.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has developed no-cost materials you can use to promote the availability of summer meals that help Texas children ages 18 and younger as well as eligible people with disabilities access no-cost meals each summer. Please visit SquareMeals.org to order no-cost materials today! Also available are downloadable resources such as buttons and banners that can be used on websites and emails, and bookmarks and door hangers that can be printed out and distributed.

TDA is releasing the Summer Non-Congregate Request Form, Non-Congregate Eligibility Map, and FAQs for eligible SFSP and SSO operators who want to serve non-congregate summer meals in rural areas this summer. You can find all of these resources, beginning April 5, on the Summer Non-Congregate Feeding Program page on the Summer Non-Congregate Feeding Program page on SquareMeals.

Although the regulations go into effect immediately they may be altered in the future based on comments received from Program operators, the general public, and State Agencies.

The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites interested persons to submit written comments on this interim final rule no later than April 29, 2024. Comments may be submitted in writing by one of the following methods:

-- Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.

-- Mail: Send comments to Community Meals Policy Division, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314.