August 12, 2019

In a Federal Register notice published on August 7, the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced SY 2019-20 reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Special Milk Program (SMP) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The annual payments and rate adjustments for the NSLP, SBP and CACFP reflect changes in the Food Away from Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustments for the SMP reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products. The rates are effective from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Overall, reimbursement rates this year for NSLP, SBP and SMP either remained the same or increased compared to last year. Of note, the performance-based reimbursement for lunches certified as meeting the meal pattern increased from 6 cents to 7 cents.  Click here to view the SY 2019/20 payment chart. 

USDA previously announced the  SY 2019/20 Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines to determine eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk. SNA posts current school meal participation stats, reimbursement rates, income eligibility rates and other key stats in the  About School Meals section of SNA’s website.