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Oregon Child Nutrition Programs COVID-19 Response and Resources

This page contains the most recent information and resources available on how the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is affecting Child Nutrition Programs in Oregon.


All Programs COVID Information

Memos, Q&A, Oregon and USDA Waivers
Oregon Guidance​
  • Program Comparison: National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/School Breakfast Program (SBP); Summer Foods Service Program (SFSP);​ Seamless Summer Option (SSO) -Coming Soon​
This image is a link to current Nationwide and State waivers available to Oregon Sponsors of Child Nutrition Programs. To apply for applicable program waivers, please complete a 2022-2023 Oregon Waivers Application​.

Oregon Waivers Chart.JPG


Nationwide Waivers

T​his image is a link to previous memos issued. No Kid Hungry (2019) Summary of COVID-19 Child Nutrition Programs Response Nationwide Waivers & Memos. Retrieved from: nokidhungry.org​

NKH Waiver Table

Oregon​ Waivers

Waivers Pending Approval

USDA Foods
​USDA Foods (direct delivery, finished end products, and DoD Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) can and should be used.
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Existing USDA Foods inventories can and should be utilized in your feeding operations. Many food distributors are reporting shortages of grab n go type food items. It may be more feasible to order in bulk and re-package. Re-packaging could be in baggies, pc cups, paper/plastic bags, etc. Hot foods may be packaged and served in grab-n-go situations. It is important to have instructions telling families that these items should be consumed within 2 hours or refrigerated to 41 degrees or below and then re-heated to 165 degrees when ready for consumption.

ODE has posted pictures of school district submitted photos of to-go options utilizing USDA Foods on the USDA Foods Best Practices ​web page. ODE has compiled a list of Grab-N-Go end products from USDA Foods processors. Existing USDA Foods inventory balances can be used while saving the school money during the COVID-19 crisis: List of available Grab-N-Go end products​

USDA Foods can be given to other sponsors or donated to the Oregon Food Bank/local food bank if the sponsor is unable to utilize. Many USDA Foods have extended shelf life, please keep this in mind before sharing or donating.

For questions related to USDA Foods, you can contact the following staff directly:

Meal Service and Safety Resources for All Programs
​Meal Service Tips
Safety and Sanitation Resources
Supply Chain Disruptions
​ODE CNP is receiving reports of food distributors and suppliers in Oregon canceling orders and deliveries, sometimes with little or no notice to the sponsor. The primary reason we are hearing is “due to labor shortages in their warehouse and delivery drivers". There are also nationwide shortages of certain menu items and paper products. 

Please use these resources:

Non-competitive Procurement during Emergency
In response to such cases as mentioned above, School Food Authorities and Program Sponsors may use the regulatory authority found in Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(c)(3) and ORS 279B.080, which allows operators to use the emergency noncompetitive proposal procurement method to negotiate a new one-year contract for school year 2021-2022. The situation described above is an appropriate time to utilize this provision as it is always available to operators if they determine that current emergency circumstances exist. More information can be found on the ODE CNP Procurement web page. 

Potential Vendors
ODE has compiled a list of vendors that may be able to provide services to you. If you are aware of other vendors, please notify ODE and we will add them to these lists.
Known Oregon Broadline Food Distributors

Program-Specific Information

Some information may be duplicated across multiple programs depending on its relevance

School Nutrition Programs

For regulation and additional information, not related to operation during COVID-19, visit the SNP Webpage

School Meal Programs Communications Toolkit

Schools and school districts returned to standard school meal programs on July 1, 2022 when federal waivers related to COVID ended. As a reminder, families have not needed to apply for free/reduced-price meals throughout the pandemic due to the federal waivers allowing all students to be served meals at no charge. 

As school districts transition to requiring applications, we encourage you to develop a communications and outreach plan to support families as they adjust to this process. Staff, please visit the SNP training page to view available trainings on this topic.

Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Program has developed resources to communicate the transition to the traditional meal service model as well as Oregon's Student Success Act nutrition initiatives to increase student access to meals at no cost in public schools. (Translations of materials coming soon)

In addition to the materials created by ODE CNP, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service has developed a comparison table designed to assist sponsors as they transition from the flexibilities in operations for School Year (SY) 2021-2022 to 2022-2023 SY.

​Key Messages - Share these key messages with education, school leaders and administrators in your community to promote and inform them of changes to school meal programs. ​


Transition Letter Template - Download and customize this letter to send to families and the community, notiying them of the changes in school meal programs.

​Post these videos developed by the School Nutrition Association on your Media platforms to promote and inform families and the community about changes in school meal programs.


​Signage - Communicate ​with participants at serving sites about changes in school meal programs. 

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​Copy and post these social media messages on your media platforms to promote and inform families and the community about changes in school meal programs.


Child and Adult Care Food Programs

For regulation and additional information, not related to operation during COVID-19, visit the CACFP Webpage
CACFP and SFSP Contacts
CACFP Resources

Operational Resources

Meal Service Tips
  • CACFP: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time for Children During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - USDA created tip sheet for providing bulk meals - Coming Soon
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Summer Food Service Programs

For regulation and additional information, not related to operation during COVID-19, visit the SFSP Webpage
CACFP and SFSP Contacts
SFSP Resources

Operational Resources

Meal Service Tips

Let's show the nation how Oregon's Child Nutrition Programs are rising to meet the need of feeding children during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Share your District or Organizations' success stories with us by emailing ODE CNP at ODE Nutrition Programs. 

Don't forget to Follow ODE on Twitter @ORDeptEd