Local Meal Charge Policy

1. Local Meal Charge Policy [Add School Food Authority Name Here] USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and Lender

2. Today’s Agenda • Introductions • USDA Requirement • [SFA Name]’s Local Charge Policy • [SFA Name]’s Policy Communication Strategy • Preventing Unpaid Meal Charges • Preventing “Lunch Shaming” • Resources • Questions and Answers

3. Introductions • [Presenter 1 Name] • [Presenter 1 Title] • [Presenter 1 Background Information] • [Presenter 2 Name] • [Presenter 2 Title] • [Presenter 2 Background Information]

4. Local Charge Policy Requirement

5. Why Does USDA Require a Local Meal Charge Policy? • In 2010, Congress required USDA to examine and report to Congress on charge and alternate meal policies • Rather than adopt a Federal policy, USDA determined a local approach would work best for schools

6. USDA Requirement: Local Charge Policy • All school food authorities (SFAs) operating the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program must develop a meal charge policy • SFAs have discretion in developing the specifics of their policies

7. USDA Requirement: Communication • SFAs must communicate the policy, in writing, to: • All families at the start of the school year • Families with students who transfer mid-year • SFAs must provide the policy, in writing, to any school or district-level staff members responsible for policy enforcement • Best Practice: Share in multiple ways!

8. USDA Requirement: Recordkeeping • SFAs must provide the policy to the State agency during the Administrative Review • SFAs must maintain documentation of policy communication methods

9. USDA Recommendations • Maintain the financial integrity of the Programs • Provide children with adequate nutrition to learn • Prevent “lunch shaming” of children with meal charges

10. [SFA Name]’s Local Charge Policy

11. [SFA Name]’s Policy Development Process • Possible examples include: • Inviting key stakeholders to provide input • Tracking unpaid meal charges over time in order to tailor the policy to the magnitude of the problem • Investigating the reasons why children are accruing debt • Reviewing USDA guidance materials

12. [SFA Name]’s Local Charge Policy • Make sure to address the following: • How will families be notified of low/negative balances? • Are children allowed to charge a meal? • What are the consequences for failing to repay a debt? • Are resources available to children with an unpaid balance?

13. [SFA Name]’s Policy Communication Plan • Make sure to address the following: • How and when will families be notified of the policy? • How and when will families transferring to the SFA mid-year be notified of the policy? • How will staff members responsible for policy enforcement be notified of the policy?

14. Additional Communication Options • “Send home” folder • School website or social media • Student handbooks • Newsletters, cafeteria menus, etc.

15. Preventing Unpaid Meal Charges

16. Reach All Eligible Children • Provide application assistance, especially for families with language or literacy barriers • Improve direct certification systems

17. Reach Children Mid-Year • Remind families they may submit an application at any time • Accept prior eligibility status for transfer students

18. Provide Payment Options • Pre-payment systems • Online payment • Automatic payment • Repayment plans

19. Provide Payment Reminders • Encourage families to track spending • Remind families of a low balance BEFORE the account goes negative • Make sure contact information is current

20. Offset Costs from Unpaid Meals • Community donations • “Angel funds” • School fundraisers • End of year donations

21. Preventing “Lunch Shaming”

22. Communication Strategies • Communicate privately with families about a child’s outstanding balance • Communicate payment reminders directly and discreetly to adults in the household • Send payment reminders in a plain, white envelope

23. Avoid Singling Out Students • Do not throw a child’s meal in the trash if they are unable to pay! • Do not identify children with meal charges using hand stamps, stickers, or other visual markers!

24. Always Aim for High Quality Alternate Meals • Do not serve alternate meals that single out children with unpaid meal charges!

25. Other Considerations • Consider costs vs. benefits of debt collection efforts • Determine whether children may be eligible for free meals

26. Give Us Your Feedback! • Our local charge policy will be reviewed on a regular basis • Please let us know what’s working, and what we can do better!

27. Resources • [SFA Name]’s Local Charge Policy: includes an overview of our policy requirement, publicly available via the web. [LINK] • USDA’s Unpaid Meal Charges Website: includes policy guidance, best practice resources, presentations, and other tools for schools! https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/unpaid-meal-charges • [Other Resources, As Applicable]

28. Questions and Answers

29. Thank You! [Presenter 1 Name] [Presenter 1 Title] [Presenter 1 Contact Information] [Presenter 2 Name] [Presenter 2 Title] [Presenter 2 Contact Information]