November 4, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) yesterday published a report on the state of implementation of direct certification for school meals. The report, “Direct Certification of the National School Lunch Program: State Implementation Progress,” found that a number of local education agencies (LEA) or school districts, conducting direct certification rose to 78 percent, up from 67 percent last year. The LEAs conducting direct certification represent approximately 96 percent of all students.
The 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act required all LEAs to establish a system of direct certification of children from households that currently receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Direct certification allows states and LEAs to use data from other means-tested programs to certify children for free school meals without the need for household applications.
This report fulfills a legislative requirement of the 2008 Farm Bill, which asked USDA to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals.
The report also looks at the effectiveness of individual direct certification programs, finding that some programs are more effective than others. It identifies best practices.
For additional information, please visit the link below.
Direct Certification of the National School Lunch Program: State Implementation Progress - Report
USDA Report Highlights Positive Effects of Direct Certification on School Meal Access – Press Release