On Jan. 3, USDA Food and Nutrition Service announced they will make permanent the current flexibility allowing larger portions for whole grains and lean proteins in School Meal School-lunch—girl-eatingPrograms. ABA worked diligently to push for this permanent flexibility for larger whole grain servings and in 2013 led a group of 20 grain organizations with our message calling for action by USDA – ABA is pleased to see its efforts paid off in this final rule.
These changes will confirm with the requirements for the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 including requiring state agencies to certify participating school food authorities (SFAs) that are in compliance with the meal pattern and nutrition standard requirements as eligible to receive performance-based cash assistance for each reimbursable lunch. Other finalizations include the requirement to disburse performance-based cash assistance to certified SFAs and withhold the performance-based cash assistance from SFAs determined to be out of compliance with meal pattern or nutrition standards during subsequent administrative review.
Below are links associated with the final rule. The official Federal Register notice is expected on January 3, 2014. Effective Date for the final rule: Within 60 days of January 3, 2014.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: American Bakers Association
