1. SP 19–2015: Paid Lunch Equity Waiver Guidance for SY & Kentucky Department of Education School and Community Nutrition Deborah Thompson

2. Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for SY 2015-16
This memorandum extends through SY & , the availability of an exemption to the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) requirement for certain School Food Service Authorities in strong financial standing.

3. Exemption Determination:
Factors for Consideration:
Might funds be better used to operate or improve the SFA’s program to meet program requirements and goals, or to address deficiencies in program operations?

4. Examples for SFA to use Extra Funds:
Improvements to the quality of meals
Improvements to cafeteria equipment

5. Exemptions from last year do not carry over to this year
Exemptions from last year do not carry over to this year. SFA Must re-apply for SY

6. KDE SCN’s: exemption documentation includes:
Evaluation: All aspects of the FSA Operation
Meal Costs
Non-program Revenue
Compliance with Meal Pattern Standards
Compliance with Smart Snacks Standards

7. SY Exemption factors
1.) Meal Standards, Meal Service & Participation
Sponsor has been certified as meeting the meal pattern requirements.
SFA is financially prepared to meet future meal pattern requirements. Explain how the SFA is prepared to meet requirements.
Sponsor has made simple menu improvements to encourage students to eat healthier meals. Provide examples of improvements, including any taste testing, menu planning by students.

8. SY Exemption factors
Meal Standards, Meal Service & Participation
Students participation in SBP and NSLP is strong. (SBP 50% or higher, NSLP 70% or higher. Submit ADP% for SBP and NSLP.)
Does the sponsor utilize signage? Other marketing techniques? Provide examples and pictures of signage.

9. SY 2015-15 Exemption factors 2.) Competitive Foods
Sponsor has taken steps toward meeting the new Smart Snacks in schools standards for items sold from the school food service account. Sponsor has utilized the Alliance for Healthier Generations Smart Snacks calculator for all items sold and source documentation is maintained. (Nutrition fact panels or Manufacturer Specifications Sheets). Are there any potential financial considerations associated with these changes? Submit a statement.

10. SY 2015-15 Exemption factors 3.) Resource Management
All paid lunch equity requirements have previously been met ( , , , , and ).
Submit a completed PLE tool for
Provided a written statement of how the required increase to paid lunches would cause the district to exceed a three month operating balance. Submit a balance sheet for February or March, 2015.

11. SY 2015-15 Exemption factors 4.) Staff/Cafeteria & Kitchen Equipment
All child nutrition staff vacancies are filled.
All necessary cafeteria and kitchen equipment for storing, preparing and serving healthy meals and competitive food have been purchased.

12. SY 2015-15 Exemption factors 5.) Administrative Reviews
Correct all deficiencies, implemented all corrective actions and complied with any fiscal action identified in the most recent administrative review.

13. For Further Questions:
Deborah Thompson
Child Nutrition Program Consultant
School and Community Nutrition
Kentucky Department of Education
Ph Ext. 4928

14. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at _filing_cust.html, or any USDA office, or call (866) to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C , by fax (202) or at Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) ; or (800) (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.