Summer Food Service Program - Summer 2025 Child Nutrition Programs 12(l) Waiver Checklist

Oct 10, 2026

Summer 2025 Child Nutrition Programs 12(l) Waiver Checklist outlines how Illinois and other State agencies may request USDA waivers under Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell NSLA for SFSP and the Seamless Summer Option. The optional form streamlines waiver submissions for specified 2025 operations dates and requires public notice, eligible-provider good-standing affirmation, and acknowledgment of waiver limitations. It includes detailed sections on excessive heat waivers, non-congregate meal service restrictions, meal service time rules, parent/guardian meal pickup requirements, sponsor challenges and benefits, procedures, and monitoring steps.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Waiver authority and purpose

Scope and limitations of the optional form

State agency notice requirements

Waiver request information

State agency and staff contact

Region selection

Eligible providers good standing

Waivers related to excessive heat

Non-congregate meal service requirements

Meal service times requirements

Parent or guardian meal pickup requirements

Sponsor acknowledgements and impact questions

Acknowledgment of meal service times waiver limitations

Challenges without waivers

Benefits with waivers

Program procedures and integrity

Anticipated implementation challenges

Implementation steps by the State agency

Proposed monitoring and review procedures

Summer Food Service Program Summer 2025 Child Nutrition Programs 12(l) Waiver Checklist Child Nutrition Programs are expected to be administered according to all statutory and regulatory requirements; waivers to the requirements are exceptions. However, Section 12(l) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA), 42 U.S.C. 1760(l), provides USDA authority to waive requirements for State agencies or eligible service providers under certain circumstances. This optional form is designed to streamline the process for State agencies requesting a waiver of statutory or regulatory requirements for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for 2025 summer operations (May 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025) . The form does not allow States to modify their request to waive additional regulations for those waiver types or to submit other types of waivers. SFSP and SSO operators may not use this form to submit waivers for their own operation. Operators that wish to apply for a waiver separately from a statewide waiver must contact the State agency and provide them with the necessary information to complete the waiver request on their behalf, including the required elements in SP 15-2018, CACFP 12-2018, SFSP 05- 2018, Child Nutrition Program Waiver Request Guidance and Protocol-Revised, May 24, 2018. As with any waiver request, State agencies using this form must provide notice and information to the public about their application for a waiver in accordance with the requirements at Section 12(l) of the NSLA. 1. State agency submitting waiver request and responsible State agency staff contact information: State Agency: Illinois State Board of Education Date (click on box to select date): 5/15/25 Physical Address: 100 North First Street W-270, Springfield, IL 62777 Name of person completing this form: Title of person completing this form: Kari Broughton Principal Consultant 2. Region (click on box to select region): Midwest 3. Affirmation that eligible service providers participating in the waiver(s) are in good standing: Please check one: Yes No If No, please explain: Waivers Related to Excessive Heat: The waivers in this section allow State agencies to approve SFSP and SSO sponsors, in good standing, to operate outdoor meal sites without temperature-controlled alternative sites as noncongregate sites on days when the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory, an Excessive Heat Warning, or an Excessive Heat Watch for the area where the site is located. These waivers are effective May 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024. * Non-Congregate Meal Service: [42 U.S.C. 1753(b)(1)(A), 42 U.S.C. 1761(a)(1)(D), and 7 CFR 225.6(i)(15)], meals must be served in a congregate setting and must be consumed by participants on site. Meal Service Times: [7 CFR 225.16(c)(1),(2), and (3)], Meals must follow meal service time requirements. Parent or Guardian Meal Pickup: 42 U.S.C. 1761(f)(3), 7 CFR 225.2 (Meals), and 7 CFR 225.9(d)(7)], meals must be served to eligible children. 1. To use the meal service times waiver, sponsors may not change meal service times less than 24 hours in advance of the previously scheduled meal service time. In addition, sponsors must post a printed notice at the site informing participants of the change; notify the community through appropriate channels, such as a school or neighborhood listservs; and comply with any additional requirement(s) set by the state agency. Do you acknowledge the limitations of the meal service times waiver outlined in this section? Yes No If No, please explain: 2. What challenges would Program sponsors face without these waivers? Choose all that apply. Increased Program costs Increased food waste Reduced participation Exposure of participating children to excessive heat Negative Impact on the ability to meet the needs of children and at-risk youth Other, des

FAQs

What is the purpose of this 12(l) Waiver Checklist form?

The form streamlines the process for State agencies requesting USDA waivers for SFSP and SSO summer operations in 2025. It is limited to the waiver types covered by the checklist and does not allow additional waiver requests beyond those waiver categories.

What waivers are included for excessive heat, and what conditions apply?

The excessive heat waivers allow approval for operating outdoor meal sites as noncongregate sites without temperature-controlled alternative sites on days when the National Weather Service issues a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, or Excessive Heat Watch. The waivers referenced in the form are effective May 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024.

What limitations apply to using the meal service times waiver?

Sponsors may not change meal service times less than 24 hours in advance of the previously scheduled meal service time. They must post a printed notice at the site, notify the community through appropriate channels, and comply with any additional requirements set by the State agency.

Oct 10, 2026

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