National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates, 51842-51845 [2016-18650]
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51842
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2016 / Notices
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The changes in the national average
payment rates for centers reflect a 2.64
percent increase during the 12-month
period, May 2015 to May 2016, (from
255.322 in May 2015, as previously
published in the Federal Register, to
262.074 in May 2016) in the food away
from home series of the CPI for All
Urban Consumers.
The changes in the food service
payment rates for day care homes reflect
a 0.69 percent decrease during the 12month period, May 2014 to May 2015,
(from 241.019 in May 2015, as
previously published in the Federal
Register, to 239.354 in May 2016) in the
food at home series of the CPI for All
Urban Consumers.
The changes in the administrative
reimbursement rates for sponsoring
organizations of day care homes reflect
a 1.02 percent increase during the 12month period, May 2015 to May 2016
(from 237.805 in May 2015, as
previously published in the Federal
Register, to 240.236 in May 2016) in the
series for all items of the CPI for All
Urban Consumers.
The total amount of payments
available to each State agency for
distribution to institutions participating
in CACFP is based on the rates
contained in this notice.
This action is not a rule as defined by
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601–612) and thus is exempt from the
provisions of that Act. This notice has
been determined to be exempt under
Executive Order 12866.
CACFP is listed in the Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance under No.
10.558 and is subject to the provisions
of Executive Order 12372, which
requires intergovernmental consultation
with State and local officials. (See 2 CFR
415.3–415.6).
This notice has been determined to be
not significant and was reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) in conformance with Executive
Order 12866.
This notice imposes no new reporting
or recordkeeping provisions that are
subject to OMB review in accordance
with the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501–3518).
Authority: Sections 4(b)(2), 11, 17(c) and
17(f)(3)(B) of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753(b)(2),
1759a, 1766(f)(3)(B)) and section 4(b)(1)(B) of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1773(b)(1)(B)).
Dated: August 2, 2016.
Yvette S. Jackson,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–18646 Filed 8–4–16; 8:45 am]
17:42 Aug 04, 2016
Food and Nutrition Service
National School Lunch, Special Milk,
and School Breakfast Programs,
National Average Payments/Maximum
Reimbursement Rates
AGENCY:
Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
ACTION:
Notice.
This Notice announces the
annual adjustments to the ‘‘national
average payments,’’ the amount of
money the Federal Government
provides States for lunches, afterschool
snacks and breakfasts served to children
participating in the National School
Lunch and School Breakfast Programs;
to the ‘‘maximum reimbursement rates,’’
the maximum per lunch rate from
Federal funds that a State can provide
a school food authority for lunches
served to children participating in the
National School Lunch Program; and to
the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint
of milk served to non-needy children in
a school or institution which
participates in the Special Milk Program
for Children. The payments and rates
are prescribed on an annual basis each
July. The annual payments and rates
adjustments for the National School
Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
reflect changes in the Food Away From
Home series of the Consumer Price
Index for All Urban Consumers. Food
and Nutrition Service has approved a
17-percent increase in school meal
reimbursement rates for Puerto Rico to
reflect their higher cost of providing
school meals. The rate adjustment will
take effect beginning July 1, 2016, for
school year 2016–2017. This increase is
based on data indicating that the cost of
producing school lunches, breakfasts,
and snacks are higher than those in the
continental United States, as well as
other factors impacting Puerto Rico’s
school meal program. The annual rate
adjustment for the Special Milk Program
reflects changes in the Producer Price
Index for Fluid Milk Products.
SUMMARY:
These rates are effective from
July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessica Saracino, Branch Chief, Program
Monitoring and Operational Support
Division, Child Nutrition Programs,
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park
Center Drive, Room 640, Alexandria,
Virginia 22302–1594; phone 703–457–
7743.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Background
Special Milk Program for Children—
Pursuant to section 3 of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42
U.S.C. 1772), the Department announces
the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint
of milk served to non-needy children in
a school or institution that participates
in the Special Milk Program for
Children. This rate is adjusted annually
to reflect changes in the Producer Price
Index for Fluid Milk Products,
published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the Department of Labor.
For the period July 1, 2016 through
June 30, 2017, the rate of reimbursement
for a half-pint of milk served to a nonneedy child in a school or institution
which participates in the Special Milk
Program is 19.75 cents. This reflects a
decrease of .25 cents from the School
Year (SY) 2015–16 level, based on the
1.32 percent decrease in the Producer
Price Index for Fluid Milk Products
from May 2015 to May 2016 (from a
level of 219.0 in May 2015, as
previously published in the Federal
Register, to 216.1 in May 2016).
As a reminder, schools or institutions
with pricing programs that elect to serve
milk free to eligible children continue to
receive the average cost of a half-pint of
milk (the total cost of all milk purchased
during the claim period divided by the
total number of purchased half-pints)
for each half-pint served to an eligible
child.
National School Lunch and School
Breakfast Programs—Pursuant to
sections 11 and 17A of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act, (42
U.S.C. 1759a and 1766a), and section 4
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42
U.S.C. 1773), the Department annually
announces the adjustments to the
National Average Payment Factors and
to the maximum Federal reimbursement
rates for lunches and afterschool snacks
served to children participating in the
National School Lunch Program and
breakfasts served to children
participating in the School Breakfast
Program. Adjustments are prescribed
each July 1, based on changes in the
Food Away From Home series of the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers, published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the Department of
Labor. The changes in the national
average payment rates for schools and
residential child care institutions for the
period July 1, 2016 through June 30,
2017 reflect a 2.64 percent increase in
the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers during the 12-month period
May 2015 to May 2016 (from a level of
255.322 in May 2015, as previously
published in the Federal Register, to
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05AUN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2016 / Notices
262.074 in May 2016). Adjustments to
the national average payment rates for
all lunches served under the National
School Lunch Program, breakfasts
served under the School Breakfast
Program, and afterschool snacks served
under the National School Lunch
Program are rounded down to the
nearest whole cent.
Lunch Payment Levels—Section 4 of
the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753) provides
general cash for food assistance
payments to States to assist schools in
purchasing food. The Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act provides
two different section 4 payment levels
for lunches served under the National
School Lunch Program. The lower
payment level applies to lunches served
by school food authorities in which less
than 60 percent of the lunches served in
the school lunch program during the
second preceding school year were
served free or at a reduced price. The
higher payment level applies to lunches
served by school food authorities in
which 60 percent or more of the lunches
served during the second preceding
school year were served free or at a
reduced price.
To supplement these section 4
payments, section 11 of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1759a) provides special cash
assistance payments to aid schools in
providing free and reduced price
lunches. The section 11 National
Average Payment Factor for each
reduced price lunch served is set at 40
cents less than the factor for each free
lunch.
As authorized under sections 8 and 11
of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1757 and
1759a), maximum reimbursement rates
for each type of lunch are prescribed by
the Department in this Notice. These
maximum rates are to ensure equitable
disbursement of Federal funds to school
food authorities.
Section 201 of the Healthy, HungerFree Kids Act of 2010—Section 201 of
the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of
2010 made significant changes to the
Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act. On January 3, 2014, the final
rule entitled, ‘‘Certification of
Compliance With Meal Requirements
for the National School Lunch Program
Under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids
Act of 2010’’ (79 FR 325), was published
and provides eligible school food
authorities with performance-based cash
reimbursement in addition to the
general and special cash assistance
described above. The final rule requires
that school food authorities be certified
by the State agency as being in
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compliance with the updated meal
pattern and nutrition standard
requirements set forth in amendments to
7 CFR parts 210 and 220 on January 26,
2012, in the final rule entitled
‘‘Nutrition Standards in the National
School Lunch and School Breakfast
Programs’’ (77 FR 4088). Certified
school food authorities are eligible to
receive performance-based cash
assistance for each reimbursable lunch
served (an additional six cents per
lunch available beginning October 1,
2012, and adjusted annually thereafter).
Afterschool Snack Payments in
Afterschool Care Programs—Section
17A of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766a)
establishes National Average Payments
for free, reduced price and paid
afterschool snacks as part of the
National School Lunch Program.
Breakfast Payment Factors—Section 4
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42
U.S.C. 1773) establishes National
Average Payment Factors for free,
reduced price and paid breakfasts
served under the School Breakfast
Program and additional payments for
free and reduced price breakfasts served
in schools determined to be in ‘‘severe
need’’ because they serve a high
percentage of needy children.
Revised Payments
The following specific section 4,
section 11 and section 17A National
Average Payment Factors and maximum
reimbursement rates for lunch, the
afterschool snack rates, and the
breakfast rates are in effect from July 1,
2016 through June 30, 2017. Beginning
July 1, 2016, Puerto Rico will receive a
17-percent increase adjustment to these
rates due to the higher cost of producing
a meal in Puerto Rico. In addition, the
average payments and maximum
reimbursements for Alaska and Hawaii
are higher due to the higher cost of
living in these States. The District of
Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Guam use
the figures specified for the contiguous
States.
National School Lunch Program
Payments
Section 4 National Average Payment
Factors—In school food authorities
which served less than 60 percent free
and reduced price lunches in School
Year (SY) 2014–2015, the payments for
meals served are: Contiguous States—
paid rate—30 cents (1 cent increase
from the SY 2015–2016 level), free and
reduced price rate—30 cents (1 cent
increase), maximum rate—38 cents (1
cent increase); Alaska—paid rate—49
cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced
price rate—49 cents (1 cent increase),
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51843
maximum rate—60 cents (2 cent
increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico—paid
rate—35 cents (1 cent increase), free and
reduced price rate—35 cents (1 cent
increase), maximum rate—44 cents (2
cent increase).
In school food authorities which
served 60 percent or more free and
reduced price lunches in School Year
2014–2015, payments are: Contiguous
States—paid rate—32 cents (1 cent
increase from the SY 2015–2016 level),
free and reduced price rate—32 cents (1
cent increase), maximum rate—38 cents
(1 cent increase); Alaska—paid rate—51
cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced
price rate—51 cents (1 cents increase),
maximum rate—60 cents (2 cent
increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico—paid
rate—37 cents (1 cent increase), free and
reduced price rate—37 cents (1 cent
increase), maximum rate—44 cents (2
cent increase).
School food authorities certified to
receive the performance-based cash
assistance will receive an additional 6
cents (adjusted annually) added to the
above amounts as part of their section
4 payments.
Section 11 National Average Payment
Factors—Contiguous States—free
lunch—286 cents (8 cent increase from
the SY 2015–2016 level), reduced price
lunch—246 cents (8 cent increase);
Alaska—free lunch—463 cents (12 cent
increase), reduced price lunch—423
cents (12 cent increase); Hawaii and
Puerto Rico—free lunch—334 cents (8
cent increase), reduced price lunch—
294 cents (8 cent increase).
Afterschool Snacks in Afterschool
Care Programs—The payments are:
Contiguous States—free snack—86 cents
(2 cent increase from the SY 2015–2016
level), reduced price snack—43 cents (1
cent increase), paid snack—07 cents (no
change); Alaska—free snack—140 cents
(3 cent increase), reduced price snack—
70 cents (2 cent increase), paid snack—
12 cents (no change); Hawaii and Puerto
Rico—free snack—101 cents (2 cent
increase), reduced price snack—50 cents
(1 cent increase), paid snack—09 cents
(no change).
School Breakfast Program Payments
For schools ‘‘not in severe need’’ the
payments are: Contiguous States—free
breakfast—171 cents (5 cent increase
from the SY 2015–2016 level), reduced
price breakfast—141 cents (5 cent
increase), paid breakfast—29 cents (no
change); Alaska—free breakfast—273
cents (7 cent increase), reduced price
breakfast—243 cents (7 cent increase),
paid breakfast—44 cents (1 cent
increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico—free
breakfast—199 cents (5 cent increase),
reduced price breakfast—169 cents (5
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2016 / Notices
increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico—free
breakfast—238 cents (6 cent increase),
reduced price breakfast—208 cents (6
cent increase), paid breakfast—33 cents
(no change).
cent increase), paid breakfast—33 cents
(no change).
For schools in ‘‘severe need’’ the
payments are: Contiguous States—free
breakfast—204 cents (5 cent increase
from the SY 2015–2016 level), reduced
price breakfast—174 cents (5 cent
increase), paid breakfast—29 cents (no
change); Alaska—free breakfast—327
cents (8 cent increase), reduced price
breakfast—297 cents (8 cent increase),
paid breakfast—44 cents (1 cent
Payment Chart
The following chart illustrates the
lunch National Average Payment
Factors with the sections 4 and 11
already combined to indicate the per
lunch amount; the maximum lunch
reimbursement rates; the reimbursement
rates for afterschool snacks served in
afterschool care programs; the breakfast
National Average Payment Factors
including ‘‘severe need’’ schools; and
the milk reimbursement rate. All
amounts are expressed in dollars or
fractions thereof. The payment factors
and reimbursement rates used for the
District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and
Guam are those specified for the
contiguous States.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS—MEAL, SNACK AND MILK PAYMENTS TO STATES AND SCHOOL FOOD AUTHORITIES—EXPRESSED IN
DOLLARS OR FRACTIONS THEREOF
[Effective from: July 1, 2016–June 30, 2017]
Less than
60%
+ 6 cents 2
Less than
60%
National School Lunch Program 1
Contiguous States:
Paid ...................................................
Reduced price ...................................
Free ...................................................
Alaska:
Paid ...................................................
Reduced price ...................................
Free ...................................................
Hawaii:
Paid ...................................................
Reduced price ...................................
Free ...................................................
Puerto Rico: 3
Paid ...................................................
Reduced Price ..................................
Free ...................................................
60% or more
60% or more
+ 6 cents 2
Maximum rate
Maximum rate
+ 6 cents 2
0.30
2.76
3.16
0.36
2.82
3.22
0.32
2.78
3.18
0.38
2.84
3.24
0.38
2.93
3.33
0.44
2.99
3.39
0.49
4.72
5.12
0.55
4.78
5.18
0.51
4.74
5.14
0.57
4.80
5.20
0.60
4.98
5.38
0.66
5.04
5.44
0.35
3.29
3.69
0.41
3.35
3.75
0.37
3.31
3.71
0.43
3.37
3.77
0.44
3.49
3.89
0.50
3.55
3.95
0.35
3.29
3.69
0.41
3.35
3.75
0.37
3.31
3.71
0.43
3.37
3.77
0.44
3.49
3.89
0.50
3.55
3.95
Non-severe
need
School breakfast program
Contiguous States:
Paid ...................................................................................................................................................................
Reduced price ..................................................................................................................................................
Free ..................................................................................................................................................................
Alaska:
Paid ...................................................................................................................................................................
Reduced price ..................................................................................................................................................
Free ..................................................................................................................................................................
Hawaii:
Paid ...................................................................................................................................................................
Reduced price ..................................................................................................................................................
Free ..................................................................................................................................................................
Puerto Rico: 3
Paid ...................................................................................................................................................................
Reduced price ..................................................................................................................................................
Free ..................................................................................................................................................................
Special milk program
All milk
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Pricing Programs without Free Option .........................
Pricing Programs with Free Option ..............................
Nonpricing Programs ....................................................
Afterschool Snacks Served in Afterschool
Care Programs
Contiguous States:
Paid ...............................
Reduced price ...............
Free ...............................
Alaska:
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0.43
0.86
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Paid milk
0.1975
N/A
0.1975
N/A
0.1975
N/A
Paid ...............................
Reduced price ...............
Free ...............................
Hawaii:
Paid ...............................
Reduced price ...............
Free ...............................
Puerto Rico: 3
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Severe need
0.29
1.41
1.71
0.29
1.74
2.04
0.44
2.43
2.73
0.44
2.97
3.27
0.33
1.69
1.99
0.33
2.08
2.38
0.33
1.69
1.99
0.33
2.08
2.38
Free milk
N/A.
Average Cost Per 1/2 Pint of Milk.
N/A.
0.12
0.70
1.40
0.09
0.50
1.01
Paid ...............................
Reduced price ...............
Free ...............................
0.09
0.50
1.01
1 Payment listed for Free and Reduced
Price Lunches include both section 4 and section 11 funds.
2 Performance-based cash reimbursement
(adjusted annually for inflation).
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 151 / Friday, August 5, 2016 / Notices
3 Beginning July 1, 2016, FNS approved
Puerto Rico to receive a 17-percent increase
in school meal reimbursement rates.
This action is not a rule as defined by
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601–612) and thus is exempt from the
provisions of that Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507),
no new recordkeeping or reporting
requirements have been included that
are subject to approval from the Office
of Management and Budget.
This notice has been determined to be
not significant and was reviewed by the
Office of Management and Budget in
conformance with Executive Order
12866.
National School Lunch, School
Breakfast and Special Milk Programs are
listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance under No. 10.555, No. 10.553
and No. 10.556, respectively, and are
subject to the provisions of Executive
Order 12372, which requires
intergovernmental consultation with
State and local officials. (See 2 CFR
415.3–415.6).
Authority: Sections 4, 8, 11 and 17A of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch
Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1757,
1759a, 1766a) and sections 3 and 4(b) of the
Child Nutrition Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C.
1772 and 42 U.S.C. 1773(b)).
Dated: August 2, 2016.
Yvette S. Jackson,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016–18650 Filed 8–4–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Cooperative
Wildland Fire Management and
Stafford Act Response Agreements
Forest Service USDA, Bureau
of Land Management DOI, Fish and
Wildlife Service DOI, National Park
Service DOI, and Bureau of Indian
Affairs DOI.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service is seeking comments
from all interested individuals and
organizations on the new information
collection, Cooperative Wildland Fire
Management and Stafford Act Response
Agreements.
DATES: Comments must be received in
writing on or before October 4, 2016 to
be assured of consideration. Comments
received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable.
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SUMMARY:
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17:42 Aug 04, 2016
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Comments concerning this
notice should be addressed to Tim
Melchert, Cooperative Fire Specialist,
USDA Forest Service, 1400
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250.
Comments also may be submitted via
facsimile to 208–387–5398 or by email
to: CoopFire_Agreements@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments
received at Forest Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250 during normal
business hours. Visitors are encouraged
to call ahead to 202–205–1637 to
facilitate entry to the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim
Melchert, Cooperative Fire Specialist, at
USDA Forest Service, 208–387–5887.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339
twenty-four hours a day, every day of
the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Forest Service
will submit a request for a new
information collection to Office of
Management and Budget.
Title: Cooperative Wildland Fire
Management and Stafford Act Response
Agreements.
OMB Number: 0596—NEW.
Type of Request: New.
Abstract: To allow the performance of
specific activities in cooperation with
Federal, State, local, and Tribal
governments, Congress enacted
authorities allowing the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to
enter into cooperative agreements with
fire organizations to improve efficiency
by facilitating the coordination and
exchange of personnel, equipment,
supplies, services, and funds among the
parties in sustaining wildland fire
management activities, such as
prevention, preparedness,
communication and education, fuels
treatment and hazard mitigation, fire
planning, response strategies, tactics
and alternatives, suppression, and postfire rehabilitation and restoration. In
addition, agreements allow for the
parties to respond to presidentially
declared emergencies or disasters. The
primary authorities allowing for the
agreements are the Reciprocal Fire
Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. 1856, and the
Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121. The
proposed Cooperative Wildland Fire
Management and Stafford Act Response
Agreement template will allow
authorized agencies to streamline
ADDRESSES:
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51845
coordination with other Federal, State,
local, and Tribal governments in
wildland fire protection activities, and
to document in an agreement the roles
and responsibilities among the parties,
ensuring maximum protection of
resources.
To negotiate, develop, and administer
Cooperative Wildland Fire Management
and Stafford Act Response Agreements,
the USDA Forest Service, DOI Bureau of
Land Management, DOI Fish and
Wildlife Service, DOI National Park
Service, and DOI Bureau of Indian
Affairs DOI must collect information
from willing State, local, and Tribal
governments from the pre-agreement to
the closeout stage via telephone calls,
emails, postal mail, and person-toperson meetings. There are multiple
means for cooperators to communicate
responses, which include forms,
optional forms, templates, electronic
documents, in person, telephone, and
email. The scope of information
collected includes the project type,
project scope, financial plan, statement
of work, and cooperator’s business
information. Without the collected
information, authorized Federal
agencies would not be able to negotiate,
create, develop, and administer
cooperative agreements with
cooperators for to wildland fire
protection, approved severity activities,
and presidentially declared emergencies
or disasters. Authorized Federal
agencies would be unable to develop or
monitor projects, make payments, or
identify financial and accounting errors.
The regulations governing Federal
financial assistance relationships are not
applicable to agreement templates under
this information collection request. The
regulations in 2 CFR 200 set forth the
general rules that are applicable to all
grants and cooperative agreements made
by the USDA and DOI. Because the
Federal Government’s use of
Cooperative Wildland Fire Management
and Stafford Act Response Agreements
entered into under cited Federal statutes
are not financial assistance for the
benefit of the recipient but instead are
entered into for the mutual benefit of
the Federal government and the nonFederal cooperators, the assistance
regulations in 2 CFR 200, as adopted
and supplemented by the USDA and
DOI, are not applicable to such
agreements.
This is a new information collection
request. The Cooperative Wildland Fire
Management and Stafford Act Response
Agreement template can be viewed at
www.fs.fed.us/managing-land/fire/
master-agreement-template.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 4 to 24
hours annually per respondent.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 151 (Friday, August 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51842-51845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18650]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast
Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice announces the annual adjustments to the ``national
average payments,'' the amount of money the Federal Government provides
States for lunches, afterschool snacks and breakfasts served to
children participating in the National School Lunch and School
Breakfast Programs; to the ``maximum reimbursement rates,'' the maximum
per lunch rate from Federal funds that a State can provide a school
food authority for lunches served to children participating in the
National School Lunch Program; and to the rate of reimbursement for a
half-pint of milk served to non-needy children in a school or
institution which participates in the Special Milk Program for
Children. The payments and rates are prescribed on an annual basis each
July. The annual payments and rates adjustments for the National School
Lunch and School Breakfast Programs reflect changes in the Food Away
From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
Food and Nutrition Service has approved a 17-percent increase in school
meal reimbursement rates for Puerto Rico to reflect their higher cost
of providing school meals. The rate adjustment will take effect
beginning July 1, 2016, for school year 2016-2017. This increase is
based on data indicating that the cost of producing school lunches,
breakfasts, and snacks are higher than those in the continental United
States, as well as other factors impacting Puerto Rico's school meal
program. The annual rate adjustment for the Special Milk Program
reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products.
DATES: These rates are effective from July 1, 2016 through June 30,
2017
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Saracino, Branch Chief,
Program Monitoring and Operational Support Division, Child Nutrition
Programs, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 640, Alexandria, Virginia 22302-1594;
phone 703-457-7743.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Special Milk Program for Children--Pursuant to section 3 of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1772), the
Department announces the rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk
served to non-needy children in a school or institution that
participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. This rate is
adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Producer Price Index for
Fluid Milk Products, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
Department of Labor.
For the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, the rate of
reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to a non-needy child in a
school or institution which participates in the Special Milk Program is
19.75 cents. This reflects a decrease of .25 cents from the School Year
(SY) 2015-16 level, based on the 1.32 percent decrease in the Producer
Price Index for Fluid Milk Products from May 2015 to May 2016 (from a
level of 219.0 in May 2015, as previously published in the Federal
Register, to 216.1 in May 2016).
As a reminder, schools or institutions with pricing programs that
elect to serve milk free to eligible children continue to receive the
average cost of a half-pint of milk (the total cost of all milk
purchased during the claim period divided by the total number of
purchased half-pints) for each half-pint served to an eligible child.
National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs--Pursuant to
sections 11 and 17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch
Act, (42 U.S.C. 1759a and 1766a), and section 4 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773), the Department annually announces the
adjustments to the National Average Payment Factors and to the maximum
Federal reimbursement rates for lunches and afterschool snacks served
to children participating in the National School Lunch Program and
breakfasts served to children participating in the School Breakfast
Program. Adjustments are prescribed each July 1, based on changes in
the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
Department of Labor. The changes in the national average payment rates
for schools and residential child care institutions for the period July
1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 reflect a 2.64 percent increase in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the 12-month period
May 2015 to May 2016 (from a level of 255.322 in May 2015, as
previously published in the Federal Register, to
[[Page 51843]]
262.074 in May 2016). Adjustments to the national average payment rates
for all lunches served under the National School Lunch Program,
breakfasts served under the School Breakfast Program, and afterschool
snacks served under the National School Lunch Program are rounded down
to the nearest whole cent.
Lunch Payment Levels--Section 4 of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753) provides general cash for food
assistance payments to States to assist schools in purchasing food. The
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act provides two different
section 4 payment levels for lunches served under the National School
Lunch Program. The lower payment level applies to lunches served by
school food authorities in which less than 60 percent of the lunches
served in the school lunch program during the second preceding school
year were served free or at a reduced price. The higher payment level
applies to lunches served by school food authorities in which 60
percent or more of the lunches served during the second preceding
school year were served free or at a reduced price.
To supplement these section 4 payments, section 11 of the Richard
B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1759a) provides special
cash assistance payments to aid schools in providing free and reduced
price lunches. The section 11 National Average Payment Factor for each
reduced price lunch served is set at 40 cents less than the factor for
each free lunch.
As authorized under sections 8 and 11 of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1757 and 1759a), maximum
reimbursement rates for each type of lunch are prescribed by the
Department in this Notice. These maximum rates are to ensure equitable
disbursement of Federal funds to school food authorities.
Section 201 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010--Section
201 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 made significant
changes to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. On January
3, 2014, the final rule entitled, ``Certification of Compliance With
Meal Requirements for the National School Lunch Program Under the
Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010'' (79 FR 325), was published and
provides eligible school food authorities with performance-based cash
reimbursement in addition to the general and special cash assistance
described above. The final rule requires that school food authorities
be certified by the State agency as being in compliance with the
updated meal pattern and nutrition standard requirements set forth in
amendments to 7 CFR parts 210 and 220 on January 26, 2012, in the final
rule entitled ``Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and
School Breakfast Programs'' (77 FR 4088). Certified school food
authorities are eligible to receive performance-based cash assistance
for each reimbursable lunch served (an additional six cents per lunch
available beginning October 1, 2012, and adjusted annually thereafter).
Afterschool Snack Payments in Afterschool Care Programs--Section
17A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1766a) establishes National Average Payments for free, reduced price
and paid afterschool snacks as part of the National School Lunch
Program.
Breakfast Payment Factors--Section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) establishes National Average Payment Factors for
free, reduced price and paid breakfasts served under the School
Breakfast Program and additional payments for free and reduced price
breakfasts served in schools determined to be in ``severe need''
because they serve a high percentage of needy children.
Revised Payments
The following specific section 4, section 11 and section 17A
National Average Payment Factors and maximum reimbursement rates for
lunch, the afterschool snack rates, and the breakfast rates are in
effect from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Beginning July 1, 2016,
Puerto Rico will receive a 17-percent increase adjustment to these
rates due to the higher cost of producing a meal in Puerto Rico. In
addition, the average payments and maximum reimbursements for Alaska
and Hawaii are higher due to the higher cost of living in these States.
The District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Guam use the figures
specified for the contiguous States.
National School Lunch Program Payments
Section 4 National Average Payment Factors--In school food
authorities which served less than 60 percent free and reduced price
lunches in School Year (SY) 2014-2015, the payments for meals served
are: Contiguous States--paid rate--30 cents (1 cent increase from the
SY 2015-2016 level), free and reduced price rate--30 cents (1 cent
increase), maximum rate--38 cents (1 cent increase); Alaska--paid
rate--49 cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced price rate--49 cents
(1 cent increase), maximum rate--60 cents (2 cent increase); Hawaii and
Puerto Rico--paid rate--35 cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced
price rate--35 cents (1 cent increase), maximum rate--44 cents (2 cent
increase).
In school food authorities which served 60 percent or more free and
reduced price lunches in School Year 2014-2015, payments are:
Contiguous States--paid rate--32 cents (1 cent increase from the SY
2015-2016 level), free and reduced price rate--32 cents (1 cent
increase), maximum rate--38 cents (1 cent increase); Alaska--paid
rate--51 cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced price rate--51 cents
(1 cents increase), maximum rate--60 cents (2 cent increase); Hawaii
and Puerto Rico--paid rate--37 cents (1 cent increase), free and
reduced price rate--37 cents (1 cent increase), maximum rate--44 cents
(2 cent increase).
School food authorities certified to receive the performance-based
cash assistance will receive an additional 6 cents (adjusted annually)
added to the above amounts as part of their section 4 payments.
Section 11 National Average Payment Factors--Contiguous States--
free lunch--286 cents (8 cent increase from the SY 2015-2016 level),
reduced price lunch--246 cents (8 cent increase); Alaska--free lunch--
463 cents (12 cent increase), reduced price lunch--423 cents (12 cent
increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--free lunch--334 cents (8 cent
increase), reduced price lunch--294 cents (8 cent increase).
Afterschool Snacks in Afterschool Care Programs--The payments are:
Contiguous States--free snack--86 cents (2 cent increase from the SY
2015-2016 level), reduced price snack--43 cents (1 cent increase), paid
snack--07 cents (no change); Alaska--free snack--140 cents (3 cent
increase), reduced price snack--70 cents (2 cent increase), paid
snack--12 cents (no change); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--free snack--101
cents (2 cent increase), reduced price snack--50 cents (1 cent
increase), paid snack--09 cents (no change).
School Breakfast Program Payments
For schools ``not in severe need'' the payments are: Contiguous
States--free breakfast--171 cents (5 cent increase from the SY 2015-
2016 level), reduced price breakfast--141 cents (5 cent increase), paid
breakfast--29 cents (no change); Alaska--free breakfast--273 cents (7
cent increase), reduced price breakfast--243 cents (7 cent increase),
paid breakfast--44 cents (1 cent increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--
free breakfast--199 cents (5 cent increase), reduced price breakfast--
169 cents (5
[[Page 51844]]
cent increase), paid breakfast--33 cents (no change).
For schools in ``severe need'' the payments are: Contiguous
States--free breakfast--204 cents (5 cent increase from the SY 2015-
2016 level), reduced price breakfast--174 cents (5 cent increase), paid
breakfast--29 cents (no change); Alaska--free breakfast--327 cents (8
cent increase), reduced price breakfast--297 cents (8 cent increase),
paid breakfast--44 cents (1 cent increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--
free breakfast--238 cents (6 cent increase), reduced price breakfast--
208 cents (6 cent increase), paid breakfast--33 cents (no change).
Payment Chart
The following chart illustrates the lunch National Average Payment
Factors with the sections 4 and 11 already combined to indicate the per
lunch amount; the maximum lunch reimbursement rates; the reimbursement
rates for afterschool snacks served in afterschool care programs; the
breakfast National Average Payment Factors including ``severe need''
schools; and the milk reimbursement rate. All amounts are expressed in
dollars or fractions thereof. The payment factors and reimbursement
rates used for the District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Guam are
those specified for the contiguous States.
School Programs--Meal, Snack and Milk Payments to States and School Food Authorities--Expressed in Dollars or Fractions Thereof
[Effective from: July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 60% 60% or more + Maximum rate +
National School Lunch Program \1\ Less than 60% + 6 cents \2\ 60% or more 6 cents \2\ Maximum rate 6 cents \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contiguous States:
Paid................................................ 0.30 0.36 0.32 0.38 0.38 0.44
Reduced price....................................... 2.76 2.82 2.78 2.84 2.93 2.99
Free................................................ 3.16 3.22 3.18 3.24 3.33 3.39
Alaska:
Paid................................................ 0.49 0.55 0.51 0.57 0.60 0.66
Reduced price....................................... 4.72 4.78 4.74 4.80 4.98 5.04
Free................................................ 5.12 5.18 5.14 5.20 5.38 5.44
Hawaii:
Paid................................................ 0.35 0.41 0.37 0.43 0.44 0.50
Reduced price....................................... 3.29 3.35 3.31 3.37 3.49 3.55
Free................................................ 3.69 3.75 3.71 3.77 3.89 3.95
Puerto Rico: \3\
Paid................................................ 0.35 0.41 0.37 0.43 0.44 0.50
Reduced Price....................................... 3.29 3.35 3.31 3.37 3.49 3.55
Free................................................ 3.69 3.75 3.71 3.77 3.89 3.95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-severe
School breakfast program need Severe need
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contiguous States:
Paid................................ 0.29 0.29
Reduced price....................... 1.41 1.74
Free................................ 1.71 2.04
Alaska:
Paid................................ 0.44 0.44
Reduced price....................... 2.43 2.97
Free................................ 2.73 3.27
Hawaii:
Paid................................ 0.33 0.33
Reduced price....................... 1.69 2.08
Free................................ 1.99 2.38
Puerto Rico: \3\
Paid................................ 0.33 0.33
Reduced price....................... 1.69 2.08
Free................................ 1.99 2.38
------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special milk program All milk Paid milk Free milk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pricing Programs without Free Option.......... 0.1975 N/A N/A.
Pricing Programs with Free Option............. N/A 0.1975 Average Cost Per 1/2 Pint of
Milk.
Nonpricing Programs........................... 0.1975 N/A N/A.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afterschool Snacks Served in Afterschool Care Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contiguous States:
Paid................................................ 0.07
Reduced price....................................... 0.43
Free................................................ 0.86
Alaska:
Paid................................................ 0.12
Reduced price....................................... 0.70
Free................................................ 1.40
Hawaii:
Paid................................................ 0.09
Reduced price....................................... 0.50
Free................................................ 1.01
Puerto Rico: \3\
Paid................................................ 0.09
Reduced price....................................... 0.50
Free................................................ 1.01
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Payment listed for Free and Reduced Price Lunches include both
section 4 and section 11 funds.
\2\ Performance-based cash reimbursement (adjusted annually for
inflation).
[[Page 51845]]
\3\ Beginning July 1, 2016, FNS approved Puerto Rico to receive a 17-
percent increase in school meal reimbursement rates.
This action is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) and thus is exempt from the provisions of that
Act.
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507), no new recordkeeping or reporting requirements have been
included that are subject to approval from the Office of Management and
Budget.
This notice has been determined to be not significant and was
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget in conformance with
Executive Order 12866.
National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Special Milk Programs
are listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No.
10.555, No. 10.553 and No. 10.556, respectively, and are subject to the
provisions of Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental
consultation with State and local officials. (See 2 CFR 415.3-415.6).
Authority: Sections 4, 8, 11 and 17A of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1757, 1759a,
1766a) and sections 3 and 4(b) of the Child Nutrition Act, as
amended, (42 U.S.C. 1772 and 42 U.S.C. 1773(b)).
Dated: August 2, 2016.
Yvette S. Jackson,
Acting Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-18650 Filed 8-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
