Add School Food Authority Name Here 1 USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider Employer and Lender Todays Agenda Introductions USDA Requirement SFA Name s Local Charge Policy SFA Name ID: 730367
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Local Meal Charge Policy
[Add School Food Authority Name Here]
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USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and LenderSlide2
Today’s Agenda
IntroductionsUSDA Requirement[SFA Name]
’s Local Charge Policy[SFA Name]’s Policy Communication StrategyPreventing Unpaid Meal ChargesPreventing “Lunch Shaming”Resources
Questions and Answers
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Introductions
[Presenter 1 Name][Presenter 1 Title]
[Presenter 1 Background Information][Presenter 2 Name][Presenter 2
Title][Presenter
2
Background Information
]
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Local Charge Policy Requirement
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Why Does USDA Require a Local Meal Charge Policy?
In 2010, Congress required USDA to examine and report to Congress on charge and alternate meal policies
Rather than adopt a Federal
policy, USDA determined a
local approach
would work best for schools
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USDA Requirement: Local Charge Policy
All school food authorities (SFAs) operating the
National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program must develop a meal charge policySFAs have discretion in developing the specifics of their policies
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USDA Requirement: Communication
SFAs must communicate the policy, in writing, to:All families at the start of the school year
Families with students who transfer mid-year SFAs must provide the policy, in writing, to any school or district-level staff members responsible for policy enforcementBest Practice: Share in multiple ways!
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USDA Requirement: Recordkeeping
SFAs must provide the policy to the State agency during the Administrative Review
SFAs must maintain documentation of policy communication methods
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USDA Recommendations
Maintain the financial integrity of the ProgramsProvide children with
adequate nutrition to learnPrevent “lunch shaming” of children with meal charges
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[SFA Name]
’s Local Charge Policy10Slide11
[SFA Name]
’s Policy Development Process
Possible examples include: Inviting key stakeholders to provide inputTracking unpaid meal charges over time in order to tailor the policy to the
magnitude of the problem
Investigating the reasons why children are accruing debt
Reviewing USDA guidance materials
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[SFA Name]
’s Local Charge PolicyMake sure to address the following:
How will families be notified of low/negative balances?Are children allowed to charge a meal?
What are the consequences for failing to repay a debt?Are resources available to children with an unpaid balance?
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[SFA Name]
’s Policy Communication PlanMake sure to address the following:
How and when will families be notified of the policy?How and when will families transferring to the SFA mid-year be notified of the policy?How will staff members responsible for policy enforcement be notified of the policy?
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Additional Communication Options
“Send home” folderSchool website or social media
Student handbooksNewsletters, cafeteria menus, etc.
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Preventing Unpaid Meal Charges
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Reach All Eligible Children
Provide application assistance, especially for families with language or literacy barriersImprove direct certification systems
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Reach Children Mid-Year
Remind families they
may submit an application at any time Accept prior eligibility status for transfer students
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Provide Payment Options
Pre-payment systemsOnline paymentAutomatic payment
Repayment plans
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Provide Payment Reminders
Encourage families to track spendingRemind families of a low balance BEFORE
the account goes negativeMake sure contact information is current
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Offset Costs from Unpaid Meals
Community donations“Angel funds”
School fundraisersEnd of year donations
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Preventing “Lunch Shaming”
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Communication Strategies
Communicate privately with families about a child’s outstanding balance
Communicate payment reminders directly and discreetly to adults in the householdSend payment reminders in a plain, white envelope
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Avoid Singling Out Students
Do not throw a child’s meal in the trash if they are unable to pay!Do not
identify children with meal charges using hand stamps, stickers, or other visual markers!
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Always Aim for High Quality
Alternate MealsDo not serve alternate meals that single out children with unpaid meal charges!
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Other Considerations
Consider
costs vs. benefits
of debt
collection efforts
Determine whether children
may be eligible
for free meals
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Give Us Your Feedback!
Our local charge policy will be reviewed on a regular basisPlease let us know
what’s working, and what we can do better!
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Resources
[SFA Name]’s Local Charge Policy: includes an overview of our policy requirement, publicly available via the
web. [LINK]USDA’s Unpaid Meal Charges Website: includes policy guidance, best practice resources, presentations, and other tools for schools!
https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/unpaid-meal-charges
[Other Resources, As Applicable]
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Questions and Answers
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Thank You!
[Presenter 1 Name]
[Presenter 1 Title]
[Presenter 1
Contact Information]
[
Presenter 2 Name
]
[
Presenter 2 Title
]
[
Presenter 2
Contact Information]
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