SNA Hosts Call With USDA Deputy Undersecretary 2020-08-26Last week, when USDA declined to extend Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option (SFSP/SSO) waivers through next school year, SNA reached out to USDA to schedule an urgent conference call with SNA’s Board of Directors and USDA Deputy Undersecretary of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Brandon Lipps, to discuss the dire financial status of school meal programs. SNA reiterated its request that USDA allow schools to continue serving meals via SFSP/SSO and extend all waivers. During the call on August 25th the Board shared specific details on the declines in school meal participation, the devastating financial impacts on school meal programs, and concern about the sustainability of the programs and their ability to continue to serve meals to hungry students. Lipps expressed appreciation for SNA’s forthright communication and said that USDA continues to look at ways to find additional support for school meal programs going forward. SNA will continue discussions with USDA in follow up to this call and keep members advised on ongoing developments.