Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Q&A #3


On January 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued policy memorandum SFSP 03-2025, SP 08-2025: Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3.

This is the third set of questions and answers issued by USDA on the rural non-congregate meal service option and the intent of this policy memorandum is to provide additional clarification on the following operational topics: (a) meal service and quality, (b) civil rights requirements, and (c) monitoring and program integrity.

You can review the USDA policy memorandum External link opens in new window or tab..

A management bulletin will not be forthcoming.

The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes that program operators have many questions about rural non-congregate meal service. Additional guidance can be found on the CDE web page. Our web page and frequently asked questions have been updated to reflect the most current information.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact the Summer Nutrition Programs and Grants Unit by email at SFSP@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, February 10, 2025
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition

  • Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan (added 14-Jan-2025)
    The Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan allows approved school food authorities to offer non-congregate meals to students fasting during Ramadan.
  • Buy American Provision (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The Buy American provision is a procurement standard that SFAs must comply with when purchasing food products served in School Nutrition Programs (SNP). SFAs are required to purchase domestic commodities or products to the maximum extent practicable.
  • NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant: Allowable Costs (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The USDA issued Policy Memo SP 06-2025: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants (EAG): Installation Expenditures which provides guidance on costs related to installing and using new equipment purchased with EAG funds.
  • Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the Palisades Fire.
  • FFAVORS new requirement (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Effective January 5, 2025, (FFAVORS) user are now required to receipt within 2 business days of receipt of product or required delivery date (RDD).