National School Lunch, Special Milk, and School Breakfast Programs, National Average Payments/Maximum Reimbursement Rates, 34105-34108 [2018-15465]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices
34105
ESTIMATED ANNUAL REPORTING BURDEN FOR THE FY 2021 QUESTIONNAIRE
Number of
respondents
Respondents
Food industry and academic experts ....................................................................................
Respondents: Food Industry and
Academic Experts.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
510.
Estimated Number of Annual
Responses per Respondent: 1.
Estimated Total Burden on
Respondents: 340 hours.
Copies of this information collection
assessment can be obtained from Gina
Kouba, Office of Policy and Program
Development, Food Safety and
Inspection Service, USDA, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,
South Building, Washington, DC 20250–
3700; (202) 720–5627.
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of FSIS’s functions, including whether
the information will have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of FSIS’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information, including the
validity of the method and assumptions
used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (d) ways to minimize
the burden of the collection of
information, including through the use
of appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques, or other forms of
information technology. Comments may
be sent to both FSIS, at the addresses
provided above, and the Desk Officer for
Agriculture, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington,
DC 20253.
Responses to this notice will be
summarized and included in the request
for OMB approval. All comments will
also become a matter of public record.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Additional Public Notification
Public awareness of all segments of
rulemaking and policy development is
important. Consequently, FSIS will
announce this Federal Register
publication on-line through the FSIS
web page located at: https://
www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
FSIS also will make copies of this
publication available through the FSIS
Constituent Update, which is used to
provide information regarding FSIS
policies, procedures, regulations,
Federal Register notices, FSIS public
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Jul 18, 2018
Jkt 244001
170
Participation time
Burden
(hours)
40 minutes ...........
113.3
meetings, and other types of information
that could affect or would be of interest
to our constituents and stakeholders.
The Update is available on the FSIS web
page. Through the web page, FSIS is
able to provide information to a much
broader, more diverse audience. In
addition, FSIS offers an email
subscription service which provides
automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and
information. This service is available at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe.
Options range from recalls to export
information, regulations, directives, and
notices. Customers can add or delete
subscriptions themselves, and have the
option to password protect their
accounts.
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center
at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
SUMMARY:
No agency, officer, or employee of the
USDA shall, on the grounds of race,
color, national origin, religion, sex,
gender identity, sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/
parental status, income derived from a
public assistance program, or political
beliefs, exclude from participation in,
deny the benefits of, or subject to
discrimination any person in the United
States under any program or activity
conducted by the USDA.
How To File a Complaint of
Discrimination
To file a complaint of discrimination,
complete the USDA Program
Discrimination Complaint Form, which
may be accessed online at https://
www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_
12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you
or your authorized representative.
Send your completed complaint form
or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email:
Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400
Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
DC 20250–9410.
Fax: (202) 690–7442.
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.),
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Paul Kiecker,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018–15461 Filed 7–18–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
National School Lunch, Special Milk,
and School Breakfast Programs,
National Average Payments/Maximum
Reimbursement Rates
Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
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 that participates
in the Special Milk Program for
Children. 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. The annual rate adjustment
for the Special Milk Program reflects
changes in the Producer Price Index for
Fluid Milk Products. Further
adjustments are made to these rates to
reflect higher costs of providing meals
in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The
payments and rates are prescribed on an
annual basis each July.
DATES: These rates are effective from
July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jessica Saracino, Branch Chief, Program
Monitoring and Operational Support
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
34106
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Division, Child Nutrition Programs,
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park
Center Drive, Room 640, Alexandria, VA
22302–1594.
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.
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.
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. 1759(a)) provides special cash
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Jul 18, 2018
Jkt 244001
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.
Performanced-Based
Reimbursement—In addition to the
funding mentioned above, school food
authorized certified as meeting the meal
pattern and nutrition standard
requirements set forth in 7 CFR 210 and
220 are eligible to receive performancebased 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.
Adjusted 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,
2018 through June 30, 2019. Due to a
higher cost of living, the average
payments and maximum
reimbursements for Alaska, Puerto Rico
and Hawaii are higher than those for all
other States. The District of Columbia,
Virgin Islands, and Guam use the figures
specified for the contiguous States.
These rates do not include the value of
USDA Foods or cash-in-lieu of USDA
Foods which schools receive as
additional assistance for each meal
served to participants under the
Program. A notice announcing the value
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
of USDA Foods and cash-in-lieu of
USDA Foods is published separately in
the Federal Register.
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.
Special Milk Program Payments
For the period July 1, 2018 through
June 30, 2019, the rate of reimbursement
for a half-pint of milk served to a nonneedy child in a school or institution
that participates in the Special Milk
Program is 20.50 cents reflecting a
decrease of 0.25 cents from the School
Year (SY) 2017–2018 level.This change
is based on the 0.22 percent decrease in
the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk
Products from May 2017 to May 2018.
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 Program
Payments
Overall, payments for the National
School Lunch Program and the
Afterschool Snack Program either
remained the same or increased from
last years payments due to a 2.68
percent increase in the national average
payment rates for schools and
residential child care institutions for the
period July 1, 2018 through June 30,
2019 in the Consumer Price Index for
All Urban Consumers during the 12month period May 2017 to May 2018
(from a level of 268.128 in May 2017, as
previously published in the Federal
Register to 275.307 in May 2018).
These changes are reflected below.
Section 4 National Average Payment
Factors—In school food authorities that
served less than 60 percent free and
reduced price lunches in School Year
(SY) 2016–2017, the payments for meals
served are: Contiguous States—paid
rate—31 cents (no change from the SY
2017–2018 level), free and reduced
price rate—31 cents (no change),
maximum rate—39 cents (no change);
Alaska—paid rate—51 cents (1 cent
increase), free and reduced price rate—
51 cents (1 cent increase), maximum
rate—61 cents (no change); Hawaii and
Puerto Rico—paid rate—37 cents (1 cent
increase), free and reduced price rate—
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
34107
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices
37 cents (1 cent increase), maximum
rate—45 cents (no change).
In school food authorities that served
60 percent or more free and reduced
price lunches in School Year 2016–
2017, payments are: Contiguous
States—paid rate—33 cents (no change
from the SY 2017–2018 level), free and
reduced price rate—33 cents (no
change), maximum rate—39 cents (no
change); Alaska—paid rate—53 cents (1
cent increase), free and reduced price
rate—53 cents (1 cent increase),
maximum rate—61 cents (no change);
Hawaii and Puerto Rico—paid rate—39
cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced
price rate—39 cents (1 cent increase),
maximum rate—45 cents (no change).
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—3 dollars (8 cents increase from
the SY 2017–2018 level), reduced price
lunch—2 dollars and 60 cents (8 cents
increase); Alaska—free lunch—4 dollars
and 87 cents (13 cents increase),
reduced price lunch—4 dollars and 47
cents (13 cents increase); Hawaii and
Puerto Rico—free lunch—3 dollars and
51 cents (9 cents increase), reduced
price lunch—3 dollars and 11 cents (9
cents increase).
Afterschool Snacks in Afterschool
Care Programs—The payments are:
Contiguous States—free snack—91 cents
(3 cents increase from the SY 2017–2018
level), reduced price snack—45 cents (1
cent increase), paid snack—8 cents (no
change); Alaska—free snack—1 dollar
and 48 cents (4 cents increase), reduced
price snack—74 cents (2 cents increase),
paid snack—13 cents (no change);
Hawaii and Puerto Rico—free snack—1
dollar and 6 cents (2 cents increase),
reduced price snack—53 cents (1 cent
increase), paid snack—9 cents (no
change).
School Breakfast Program Payments
Overall, payments for the National
School Breakfast Program either
remained the same or increased from
last years payments due to a 2.68
percent increase in the national average
payment rates for schools and
residential child care institutions for the
period July 1, 2018 through June 30,
2019 in the Consumer Price Index for
All Urban Consumers during the 12month period May 2017 to May 2018
(from a level of 268.128 in May 2017, as
previously published in the Federal
Register to 275.307 in May 2018).
These changes are reflected below.
For schools ‘‘not in severe need’’ the
payments are: Contiguous States—free
breakfast—1 dollar and 79 cents (4 cents
increase from the SY 2017–2018 level),
reduced price breakfast—1 dollar and 49
cents (4 cents increase), paid breakfast—
31 cents (1 cent increase); Alaska—free
breakfast—2 dollars and 87 cents (8
cents increase), reduced price
breakfast—2 dollars and 57 cents (8
cents increase), paid breakfast—46 cents
(1 cent increase); Hawaii and Puerto
Rico—free breakfast—2 dollars and 9
cents (6 cents increase), reduced price
breakfast—1 dollar and 79 cents (6 cents
increase), paid breakfast—35 cents (1
cent increase).
For schools in ‘‘severe need’’ the
payments are: Contiguous States—free
breakfast—2 dollars and 14 cents (5
cents increase from the SY 2017–2018
level), reduced price breakfast—1 dollar
and 84 cents (5 cents increase), paid
breakfast—31 cents (1 cent increase);
Alaska—free breakfast—3 dollars and 43
cents (8 cents increase), reduced price
breakfast—3 dollars and 13 cents (8
cents increase), paid breakfast—46 cents
(1 cent increase); Hawaii and Puerto
Rico—free breakfast—2 dollars and 50
cents (7 cents increase), reduced price
breakfast—2 dollars and 20 cents (7
cents increase), paid breakfast—35 cents
(1 cent increase).
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, 2018–June 30, 2019]
Less than
60%
National school lunch program 1
CONTIGUOUS STATES:
PAID ..................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ............................................................................
FREE ................................................................................................
ALASKA:
PAID ..................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ............................................................................
FREE ................................................................................................
HAWAII and PUERTO RICO:
PAID ..................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ............................................................................
FREE ................................................................................................
Less than
60% +6
cents 2
Maximum
rate
Maximum
rate +6
cents 2
0.31
2.91
3.31
0.37
2.97
3.37
0.33
2.93
3.33
0.39
2.99
3.39
0.30
3.08
3.48
0.45
3.14
3.54
0.51
4.98
5.38
0.57
5.04
5.44
0.53
5.00
5.40
0.59
5.06
5.46
0.62
5.22
5.62
0.67
5.28
5.68
0.37
3.48
3.88
0.43
3.54
3.94
0.39
3.50
3.90
0.45
3.56
3.96
0.45
3.66
4.06
0.51
3.73
4.12
60% or
more
Non-severe
need
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
School breakfast program
CONTIGUOUS STATES:
PAID .................................................................................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ............................................................................................................................................
FREE ................................................................................................................................................................
ALASKA:
PAID .................................................................................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ............................................................................................................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Jul 18, 2018
Jkt 244001
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
60% or
more +6
cents 2
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
Severe need
0.31
1.49
1.79
0.31
1.84
2.14
0.46
2.57
0.46
3.13
34108
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 139 / Thursday, July 19, 2018 / Notices
Non-severe
need
School breakfast program
FREE ................................................................................................................................................................
HAWAII and PUERTO RICO:
PAID .................................................................................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ............................................................................................................................................
FREE ................................................................................................................................................................
Special milk program
All milk
SPECIAL PROGRAMS WITHOUT FREE OPTION .................................
PRICING PROGRAMS WITH FREE OPTION .........................................
NONPRICING PROGRAMS .....................................................................
Paid milk
0.2050
N/A
0.2050
Severe need
2.87
3.43
0.35
1.79
2.09
0.35
2.20
2.50
Free milk
N/A
0.2050
N/A
N/A.
Average Cost Per 1/2 Pint of Milk.
N/A.
After school snacks served in after school care programs
CONTIGUOUS STATES:
PAID .............................................................................................................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ........................................................................................................................................................................
FREE ............................................................................................................................................................................................
ALASKA:
PAID .............................................................................................................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ........................................................................................................................................................................
FREE ............................................................................................................................................................................................
HAWAII and PUERTO RICO:
PAID .............................................................................................................................................................................................
REDUCED PRICE ........................................................................................................................................................................
FREE ............................................................................................................................................................................................
1 Payment
0.08
0.45
0.91
0.13
0.74
1.48
0.09
0.53
1.06
listed for Free and Reduced Price Lunches include both section 4 and section 11 funds.
cash reimbursement (adjusted annually for inflation).
2 Performance-based
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
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: July 13, 2018.
Brandon Lipps,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–15465 Filed 7–18–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:34 Jul 18, 2018
Jkt 244001
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Child and Adult Care Food Program:
National Average Payment Rates, Day
Care Home Food Service Payment
Rates, and Administrative
Reimbursement Rates for Sponsoring
Organizations of Day Care Homes for
the Period July 1, 2018 Through June
30, 2019
AGENCY:
Food and Nutrition Service,
USDA.
ACTION:
Notice.
This notice announces the
annual adjustments to the national
average payment rates for meals and
snacks served in child care centers,
outside-school-hours care centers, atrisk afterschool care centers, and adult
day care centers; the food service
payment rates for meals and snacks
served in day care homes; and the
administrative reimbursement rates for
sponsoring organizations of day care
homes, to reflect changes in the
Consumer Price Index. Further
adjustments are made to these rates to
reflect the higher costs of providing
meals in Alaska and Hawaii. The
adjustments contained in this notice are
made on an annual basis each July, as
required by the laws and regulations
governing the Child and Adult Care
Food Program.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
These rates are effective from
July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DATES:
Background
Pursuant to sections 4, 11, and 17 of
the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1753, 1759a and
1766), section 4 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) and 7 CFR
226.4, 226.12 and 226.13 of the Program
regulations, notice is hereby given of the
new payment rates for institutions
participating in the Child and Adult
Care Food Program (CACFP). As
provided for under the law, all rates in
the CACFP must be revised annually, on
July 1, to reflect changes in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI), published
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
United States Department of Labor, for
the most recent 12-month period. These
rates are in effect during the period July
1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
Adjusted Payments
The following national average
payment factors and food service
payment rates for meals and snacks are
in effect from July 1, 2018 through June
E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM
19JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34105-34108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15465]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 that
participates in the Special Milk Program for Children. 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. The annual rate
adjustment for the Special Milk Program reflects changes in the
Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. Further adjustments are
made to these rates to reflect higher costs of providing meals in
Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The payments and rates are prescribed
on an annual basis each July.
DATES: These rates are effective from July 1, 2018 through June 30,
2019.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Saracino, Branch Chief,
Program Monitoring and Operational Support
[[Page 34106]]
Division, Child Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 640,
Alexandria, VA 22302-1594.
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.
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.
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. 1759(a)) 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.
Performanced-Based Reimbursement--In addition to the funding
mentioned above, school food authorized certified as meeting the meal
pattern and nutrition standard requirements set forth in 7 CFR 210 and
220 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.
Adjusted 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, 2018 through June 30, 2019. Due to a higher cost of
living, the average payments and maximum reimbursements for Alaska,
Puerto Rico and Hawaii are higher than those for all other States. The
District of Columbia, Virgin Islands, and Guam use the figures
specified for the contiguous States. These rates do not include the
value of USDA Foods or cash-in-lieu of USDA Foods which schools receive
as additional assistance for each meal served to participants under the
Program. A notice announcing the value of USDA Foods and cash-in-lieu
of USDA Foods is published separately in the Federal Register.
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.
Special Milk Program Payments
For the period July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019, the rate of
reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served to a non-needy child in a
school or institution that participates in the Special Milk Program is
20.50 cents reflecting a decrease of 0.25 cents from the School Year
(SY) 2017-2018 level.This change is based on the 0.22 percent decrease
in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products from May 2017 to
May 2018.
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 Program Payments
Overall, payments for the National School Lunch Program and the
Afterschool Snack Program either remained the same or increased from
last years payments due to a 2.68 percent increase in the national
average payment rates for schools and residential child care
institutions for the period July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during the 12-month period
May 2017 to May 2018 (from a level of 268.128 in May 2017, as
previously published in the Federal Register to 275.307 in May 2018).
These changes are reflected below.
Section 4 National Average Payment Factors--In school food
authorities that served less than 60 percent free and reduced price
lunches in School Year (SY) 2016-2017, the payments for meals served
are: Contiguous States--paid rate--31 cents (no change from the SY
2017-2018 level), free and reduced price rate--31 cents (no change),
maximum rate--39 cents (no change); Alaska--paid rate--51 cents (1 cent
increase), free and reduced price rate--51 cents (1 cent increase),
maximum rate--61 cents (no change); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--paid rate--
37 cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced price rate--
[[Page 34107]]
37 cents (1 cent increase), maximum rate--45 cents (no change).
In school food authorities that served 60 percent or more free and
reduced price lunches in School Year 2016-2017, payments are:
Contiguous States--paid rate--33 cents (no change from the SY 2017-2018
level), free and reduced price rate--33 cents (no change), maximum
rate--39 cents (no change); Alaska--paid rate--53 cents (1 cent
increase), free and reduced price rate--53 cents (1 cent increase),
maximum rate--61 cents (no change); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--paid rate--
39 cents (1 cent increase), free and reduced price rate--39 cents (1
cent increase), maximum rate--45 cents (no change).
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--3 dollars (8 cents increase from the SY 2017-2018 level),
reduced price lunch--2 dollars and 60 cents (8 cents increase);
Alaska--free lunch--4 dollars and 87 cents (13 cents increase), reduced
price lunch--4 dollars and 47 cents (13 cents increase); Hawaii and
Puerto Rico--free lunch--3 dollars and 51 cents (9 cents increase),
reduced price lunch--3 dollars and 11 cents (9 cents increase).
Afterschool Snacks in Afterschool Care Programs--The payments are:
Contiguous States--free snack--91 cents (3 cents increase from the SY
2017-2018 level), reduced price snack--45 cents (1 cent increase), paid
snack--8 cents (no change); Alaska--free snack--1 dollar and 48 cents
(4 cents increase), reduced price snack--74 cents (2 cents increase),
paid snack--13 cents (no change); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--free snack--1
dollar and 6 cents (2 cents increase), reduced price snack--53 cents (1
cent increase), paid snack--9 cents (no change).
School Breakfast Program Payments
Overall, payments for the National School Breakfast Program either
remained the same or increased from last years payments due to a 2.68
percent increase in the national average payment rates for schools and
residential child care institutions for the period July 1, 2018 through
June 30, 2019 in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers
during the 12-month period May 2017 to May 2018 (from a level of
268.128 in May 2017, as previously published in the Federal Register to
275.307 in May 2018).
These changes are reflected below.
For schools ``not in severe need'' the payments are: Contiguous
States--free breakfast--1 dollar and 79 cents (4 cents increase from
the SY 2017-2018 level), reduced price breakfast--1 dollar and 49 cents
(4 cents increase), paid breakfast--31 cents (1 cent increase);
Alaska--free breakfast--2 dollars and 87 cents (8 cents increase),
reduced price breakfast--2 dollars and 57 cents (8 cents increase),
paid breakfast--46 cents (1 cent increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--
free breakfast--2 dollars and 9 cents (6 cents increase), reduced price
breakfast--1 dollar and 79 cents (6 cents increase), paid breakfast--35
cents (1 cent increase).
For schools in ``severe need'' the payments are: Contiguous
States--free breakfast--2 dollars and 14 cents (5 cents increase from
the SY 2017-2018 level), reduced price breakfast--1 dollar and 84 cents
(5 cents increase), paid breakfast--31 cents (1 cent increase);
Alaska--free breakfast--3 dollars and 43 cents (8 cents increase),
reduced price breakfast--3 dollars and 13 cents (8 cents increase),
paid breakfast--46 cents (1 cent increase); Hawaii and Puerto Rico--
free breakfast--2 dollars and 50 cents (7 cents increase), reduced
price breakfast--2 dollars and 20 cents (7 cents increase), paid
breakfast--35 cents (1 cent increase).
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, 2018-June 30, 2019]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 60% or Maximum
National school lunch program \1\ Less than 60% +6 60% or more +6 Maximum rate +6
60% cents \2\ more cents \2\ rate cents \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTIGUOUS STATES:
PAID...................................... 0.31 0.37 0.33 0.39 0.30 0.45
REDUCED PRICE............................. 2.91 2.97 2.93 2.99 3.08 3.14
FREE...................................... 3.31 3.37 3.33 3.39 3.48 3.54
ALASKA:
PAID...................................... 0.51 0.57 0.53 0.59 0.62 0.67
REDUCED PRICE............................. 4.98 5.04 5.00 5.06 5.22 5.28
FREE...................................... 5.38 5.44 5.40 5.46 5.62 5.68
HAWAII and PUERTO RICO:
PAID...................................... 0.37 0.43 0.39 0.45 0.45 0.51
REDUCED PRICE............................. 3.48 3.54 3.50 3.56 3.66 3.73
FREE...................................... 3.88 3.94 3.90 3.96 4.06 4.12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-severe
School breakfast program need Severe need
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTIGUOUS STATES:
PAID................................ 0.31 0.31
REDUCED PRICE....................... 1.49 1.84
FREE................................ 1.79 2.14
ALASKA:
PAID................................ 0.46 0.46
REDUCED PRICE....................... 2.57 3.13
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 34108]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-severe
School breakfast program need Severe need
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE................................ 2.87 3.43
HAWAII and PUERTO RICO:
PAID................................ 0.35 0.35
REDUCED PRICE....................... 1.79 2.20
FREE................................ 2.09 2.50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special milk program All milk Paid milk Free milk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PROGRAMS WITHOUT FREE 0.2050 N/A N/A.
OPTION.
PRICING PROGRAMS WITH FREE N/A 0.2050 Average Cost Per 1/2 Pint of Milk.
OPTION.
NONPRICING PROGRAMS............. 0.2050 N/A N/A.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
After school snacks served in after school care programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTIGUOUS STATES:
PAID................................................ 0.08
REDUCED PRICE....................................... 0.45
FREE................................................ 0.91
ALASKA:
PAID................................................ 0.13
REDUCED PRICE....................................... 0.74
FREE................................................ 1.48
HAWAII and PUERTO RICO:
PAID................................................ 0.09
REDUCED PRICE....................................... 0.53
FREE................................................ 1.06
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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).
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: July 13, 2018.
Brandon Lipps,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15465 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
