Massachusetts Department of

Elementary and Secondary Education

75 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-4906Telephone: (781) 338-3000

TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

MEMORANDUM

To: / School Nutrition Program Directors
From: / Robert M. Leshin, Director
Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Date: / November 22, 2018
Subject: / School Meal Flexibilities for School Year 2017-2018

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

On May 22, 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service issued further guidance on several menu planning flexibilities that State Agencies may offer to School Food Authorities (SFA) serving the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) has decided to extend the menu planning flexibilities outlined in the USDA memorandum SP 32-2017 to SFAsin school year (SY) 2017-18.

The flexibilities include:

  • Whole Grain-Rich Requirement
  • SFAs may submit Product Exemption Request(s) allowing the service of one or more specific non-whole grain-rich product(s). In order to qualify for an exemption, SFAs must demonstrate a hardship in procuring, preparing or serving compliant whole grain-rich products that are accepted by students using the attached form. SFAs that receive an approved exemption are considered compliant during an Administrative Review if their grain offerings are consistent with the exemption and at least half of the grains offered weekly are whole grain-rich.Any specific non-whole grain-rich products that are offered greater than half of the operating days during the week must also be offered alongside its whole grain-rich counterpart in order to satisfy the 50% or greater whole grain-rich requirement.
  • Low-Fat, Flavored Milk
  • SFAs may submit Product Exemption Request(s) allowing the service of low-fat (1 percent milk fat), flavored milk. In order to qualify for this exemption, schools must demonstrate hardship by documenting a reduction in student milk consumption using the attached form.
  • Sodium Limits:
  • Sodium Target 1(as defined in 7 CFR 210.10(f)(3) and 220.9(f)(3)) has been extended through SY 2017-18. No additional notification or request is required. Schools are encouraged to continue to work towards creating low sodium menus that students enjoy.

Compliance with Massachusetts’ Nutrition Standards for Competitive Food and Beverages in Public Schools:

In order to remain consistent with the regulations of Massachusetts’ Nutrition Standards for Competitive Food and Beverages in Public Schools(as defined in 105 CMR 225.000), non-whole grain-rich and/or low-fat, flavored milk items may not be sold a la carte in public schools.SFAs must display signage for non-whole grain-rich and/or low-fat, flavored milk items informing students that these items are not available for sale a la carte.

Process for waiver submission:

Product Exemption Requests will be accepted on an ongoing basis and exemptions are only effective for the school year in which they are approved. Review the “Product Exemption Request SY 2017-18” form and instructionsfor specific guidance on submission. Questions or requests for guidance should be directed to the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs looks forward to working with SFAs on these flexibilities, as the Office for Food and Nutrition Programs strives to enhance the efficiency and quality of Child Nutrition Programs across the Commonwealth.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.