Frequently Asked Questions

National School Lunch & Breakfast Programs

Requirements for Meal Content and Quality

Competitive Foods

Accommodations for Children with Special Dietary Needs

Free and Reduced Price Meals

Denial of Meals

Program Participation

Requirements for Meal Content and Quality

What items must be part of a school lunch or breakfast?

School meals are required to meet the specifications set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Schools have a great deal of flexibility in deciding which menu planning approach they choose to show they meet the standards. Nutrient Standard Menu Planning allows the school to use a computer to analyze all the foods offered. Assisted Nutrient Standard Menu Planning allows the school to select a menu which has been analyzed by another entity. Food Based Menu Planning requires the schools to serve foods by food group and meet a serving requirement each day. The state office will analyze this type of menu for nutritional compliance.

Do children have to select everything that is offered?

By law, children in senior high school must be permitted to decline lunch items they do not intend to eat. Program regulations allow schools to elect to extend this permission to elementary and junior high school children as well. This means that high school children in a school using Food Based Menu Planning may decline as many as two of the five items in a lunch, and younger children may decline one or two items depending on local policy. If lunches are prepared using Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, children may decline one item other than the entrée. For breakfast, a child may decline one item regardless of which menu planning system is used.

What can be done to improve the meals served in schools?

School meals must look and taste good if children are going to eat them. This issue is most effectively addressed at the local level through the efforts of concerned parents. We encourage parents to become involved in their children's school meals and to bring concerns and suggestions to the attention of the local district and/or school. Contact the district or school and ask to speak to the school food service director.

Following is a checklist of ten steps that parents can take to ensure that school meals are healthy, nutritious and appealing:
  1. Eat breakfast or lunch at school with your children. See what the meals are like. Notice the atmosphere. If you don't like what you see, contact the school and the district and work to change it.
  2. Make your opinions heard. Talk to other parents. Work with your PTA, the school food service director and school board to support healthy school meals.
  3. Go to the principal. Discuss the importance of good nutrition and physical activity. Suggest programs. Ask for cooperation. Most importantly, follow through.
  4. Get a weekly menu of school meals. Ask for the nutrition facts so you can be sure the menu meets the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Keep the menu tacked to your refrigerator and discuss the healthy choices with your children.
  5. Visit the school cafeteria. Get to know the staff. Let them know you value their services and appreciate good daily nutrition for your child.
  6. Show your children and their friends where healthy food comes from. Help your school start an edible landscape with a garden of goodies like fruits, vegetables and herbs.
  7. Volunteer to organize a classroom tasting party to introduce and encourage nutritious new foods the children may never have tried.
  8. Get involved. Form a parent advisory committee for school meals or a school health advisory panel. Recruit enthusiastic "can do" people to work with you.
  9. Make sure your children appreciate how healthy breakfasts and lunches serve their minds as well as their bodies.
  10. Listen to what your children are learning at school about good nutrition. You can help them put their knowledge to work at home, too.

Competitive Foods

Are items such as carbonated beverages allowed to be sold in schools?

Carbonated beverages are listed in the regulations as a food of minimal nutritional value. As such, their sale is prohibited in the serving and eating areas during the meal service. Regulations cannot prohibit the sale of foods of minimal nutritional value outside of the meal service, but local schools have the authority to do so, and many have adopted such restrictions.

What is the Department of Agriculture doing to address the sale of carbonated beverages in schools?

Because children have so many opportunities to select foods both inside and outside the school, the issue of competitive foods must be addressed through education and awareness rather than just through regulation. Regulations govern the meal time service, but they do not speak to foods sold outside the meal service. Parents can help children understand the principles of sound nutrition and making healthy food choices. Much of what children learn about eating, they learn at home. Local schools and districts may make rules regarding the sale of carbonated beverages during non-meal service.

Accommodations for Children with Special Dietary Needs

Are schools required to make menu substitutions for children who cannot eat the regular lunch or breakfast?

Federal law and the regulations for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program require schools to make accommodations for children who are unable to eat the school meal as prepared because of a disability. In order to make substitutions for items in reimbursable meals, the school must have on file a written statement signed by a licensed physician indicating what the child's disability is, what foods must be omitted from the child's diets, and what foods must be substituted.
Schools may, at their option, make substitutions for persons who have special needs that do not meet the definition of disability under federal law. In these instances, the school must have a written statement signed by a recognized medical authority (physician, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, registered dietitian or a nurse) indicating what foods should be substituted.

Free and Reduced Price Meals

What are the eligibility standards for free and reduced price meals?

Schools are required to serve meals at no charge to children whose household income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. Children are entitled to pay a reduced price if their household income is above 130% but below 185% of these guidelines. Current income and family size criteria can be found at the USDA website here. Children are automatically eligible for free meals if their household receives food stamps, benefits under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or, the child receives benefits under Utah's Family Employment Program.

What income is counted in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals?

For the most part, all income received by the household is counted. This includes salary, public assistance benefits, social security payments, pensions, unemployment compensation and the like. For complete information, contact the school or the food service director of the district your child attends.

If a child and the child's parent live with the child's grandparent, must the grandparent's income be included on the application for free and reduced price meals?

A household is defined as a group of related or unrelated individuals who are not residents of an institution or boarding house but who are living as one economic unit. This means they generally reside in the same house and share expenses such as rent, utilities and food. In this example, therefore, the grandparent's income would be considered along with any income received by the parent and the grandparents would be counted in the household size. Foster children are an exception to this rule because they remain the legal responsibility of the court. A foster child is considered a "household of one," and only the income actually made available to the child for personal expenses is counted in making the eligibility determination.

Our family has very high medical bills. Do we qualify for free meals for our children?

All income received by the household is counted and medical bill deductions or subtractions are not allowed. Qualification for free or reduced price meals is based on family income (without subtracting outstanding bills due or other financial obligations).

We received a letter in the mail telling us that our children were certified to receive free meals and were told to bring the letter to the school, but we have lost the letter. How can we get another copy?

A duplicate copy of the letter is not available. Simply complete an application for free and reduced price meals noting the case number of each child receiving Food Stamp, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or Family Employment Program benefits, sign the application and turn the application in at the child's school.

Denial of Meals

Are schools required to replace meal tickets if they are lost or stolen?

Schools may limit the number of meal tickets (or other media of exchange) they will replace for each child. If a school does elect to establish a limit on replacements for children eligible for free or reduced price meals, it must meet the following requirements. First, each child must be allowed a minimum of three replacements each school year. Secondly, parents and students must be advised in writing at the time of application that the school is adopting this policy. Thirdly, the school must maintain a list of children who have reported lost and stolen tickets and the number of occurrences for each child. At least one advance warning must be given to the child and his or her parents prior to refusing to replace a ticket.
Schools must always provide meals to preprimary and younger primary students or to students with disabilities that may make them unable to take full responsibility for their meal tickets, but the school may provide an alternate meal, and not the reimbursable meal, to the student.

Can schools refuse to serve a child who pays the full price but forgets his or her money?

All full price policies for school meals are matters of local discretion. This includes decisions about whether or not to extend credit to children who forget their meal money or whether or not to provide an alternate meal to such children. Therefore, a school could decide not to provide meals to children who must pay the full price for their meals but do not have the money to do so. In some cases, the PTA or other school organization may establish a fund to pay for children who forget or lose their money. Schools should ensure that parents are fully aware of the policy adopted for children who do not have their meal money.

Program Participation

How does a school apply for National School Lunch or Breakfast participation?

All non-profit private and public schools are eligible to apply for the program. We have a videotape which explains the responsibilities of participation. Contact us at 538-7680 to learn more about the requirements.

BACK

Child And Adult Care Food Program

What is CACFP?

CACFP is the Child and Adult Care Food Program, a federal program that provides healthy meals and snacks to children and adults receiving day care. It plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families.
CACFP reimburses participating centers and day care homes for their meal costs. It is administered at the federal level by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The state education or health department administers CACFP in most states. Independent centers and sponsoring organizations enter into agreements with their State agencies to operate the program

What types of facilities provide CACFP meals?

  • Child Care Centers.

    Public or private nonprofit child care centers, Head Start programs, and some for-profit centers which are licensed or approved to provide day care may serve meals and snacks to infants and children through

  • Family Day Care Homes.

    CACFP provides reimbursement for meals and snacks served to small groups of children receiving nonresidential day care in licensed or approved private homes. A family or group day care home must sign an agreement with a sponsoring organization to participate in CACFP. The sponsoring organization organizes training, conducts monitoring, and helps with planning menus and filling out reimbursement forms.

  • After School Care Programs.

    Community-based programs that offer enrichment activities for at-risk children and teenagers, after the regular school day ends, can provide free snacks through CACFP. Reimbursable suppers are also available to children in eligible afterschool care programs in seven States-- Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

  • Homeless Shelters.

    Emergency shelters which provide residential and food services to homeless families may participate in CACFP. Unlike most other CACFP facilities, a shelter does not have to be licensed to provide day care.

  • Adult Day Care Centers.

    Public, private nonprofit, and some for-profit adult day care facilities which provide structured, comprehensive services to functionally impaired, nonresident adults may participate in CACFP.

Who gets CACFP meals and snacks?

Children age 12 and younger are eligible to receive up to two meals and one snack, each day, at a day care home or center, through CACFP. Children who reside in homeless shelters may receive up to three reimbursable meals each day until they reach age 18. Migrant children age 15 and younger, and persons with disabilities, regardless of their age, are also eligible for CACFP. Afterschool care snacks are available to children through age 18. Adult participants must be functionally impaired or age 60 or older, and enrolled in an adult care center where they may receive up to two meals and one snack, each day, through CACFP.

We are a child care center participating in the CACFP program. When will we receive our check for reimbursement?

Reimbursement checks are issued at the beginning of the month following the month claimed. If you have not received your reimbursement check by the end of the month, call us to check on it.

I provide home daycare. How can I find out how to get on the food program?

The sponsors in Utah are listed on the agency web site here. You can contact any of the sponsors to find out more about program requirements and find out how to sign up for the program.

I have a day care center. How can I find out how to get on the food program?

Once each month, our office provides training for new child care centers. At the training, you will receive an application and information about the program requirements. Call our office at 538-7680 to sign up for the training.

How can I become a sponsor of day care homes?

All Family Day Care Home sponsoring organizations must be either government or private nonprofit institutions. Private individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible to function as sponsors. In order to apply for participation in the program, your institution must first submit the documentation requested in the first eight items below. Once the institution demonstrates it has these basic qualifications, Management Plan and Budget forms will be provided together with technical assistance on how to complete them.

  • Incorporation and certification, according to state law, as tax exempt organization (Utah Department of Commerce).
  • Recognition by Internal Revenue Service as private nonprofit corporation under Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (usually based on 501(c) (3) status).
  • Governing board composition satisfactory to CACFP (Documentation showing the majority of the governing board is made up of individuals who are members of the community and who are not financially interested in the organizations activities and are not related to organization personnel or to each other).
  • Document unserved facilities or participants according to the following criteria:
    1. Recruited facilities are not currently participating or were recently terminated for convenience by another Sponsoring Organization (SO) due to being outside the SO's service area and
    2. Recruited facilities have not been terminated for cause, have no unresolved serious deficiency pending with another SO and do not owe a refund to another SO and
    3. The State Agency certifies other SOs are unable to accommodate the targeted facilities or the area(s) where it/they are located because:
    4. The other SOs generate insufficient resources to properly train and monitor facilities, and/or
    5. Supervising additional facilities would threaten other SO's viability, capability or accountability.
  • Certification that neither the organization nor any of its principals has ever been disqualified from participation in any other publicly funded program and that neither the organization nor any of its principals has been convicted in the last seven years of any activity that indicated a lack of business integrity (e.g., fraud, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, etc.).
  • Documentation of financial viability (resources to withstand temporary interruptions in program payments or demand for repayment of funds as shown in audits, financial statements, bank statements, etc.).
  • Documentation of administrative capability (adequate staff to operate the program and provide supervision and monitoring of participating facilities).
  • Documentation of program accountability (financial management system, record keeping system, training capability, etc.).

    The prospective sponsoring organization must refrain from actively recruiting currently affiliated family day care providers.

    • BACK

    Food Distribution Program

    Where can I get food help for my family?

    There are a number of food banks and food pantries available throughout Utah. To find the nearest emergency services, contact the Community Services Council by dialing 211. They can direct you to immediate resources to help you obtain food.
    Some of the additional resources you may be interested in include WIC (Women, Infants and Children), free or reduced price meals for your children who attend a school participating in the National School Lunch or Breakfast programs, food stamps, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and congregate dining programs. The Community Services Council will be able to explain your options regarding these programs.
    If you have more questions about the food distribution program, please visit USDA's list of frequently asked food distribution questions and program descriptions here.

    BACK

    Summer Food Service Program

    What is the Summer Food Service Program?

    Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child's need for good nutrition. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

    How does the program operate?

    The Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administers SFSP at the federal level. State education agencies administer the program in most states. In some areas, the state health or social service department or an FNS regional office may be designated. Locally, SFSP is run by approved sponsors, including school districts, local government agencies, camps, or private nonprofit organizations. Sponsors provide free meals to a group of children at a central site, such as a school or a community center. They receive payments from USDA, through their state agencies, for the meals they serve and for their documented operating costs.

    Where does the program operate?

    States approve SFSP meal sites as open, enrolled, or camp sites. Open sites operate in low-income areas where at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, making them eligible for free and reduced-price school meals. Meals are served free to any child at the open site. Enrolled sites provide free meals to children enrolled in an activity program at the site where at least half of them are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Camps may also participate in SFSP. They receive payments only for the meals served to children who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

    Who is eligible to get meals?

    Children 18 and younger may receive free meals and snacks through SFSP. Meals and snacks are also available to persons with disabilities, over age 18, who participate in school programs for people who are mentally or physically disabled.

    How many meals do participants receive each day?

    At most sites, children receive either one or two reimbursable meals each day. Camps and sites that primarily serve migrant children may be approved to serve up to three meals to each child, each day.

    How much reimbursement does the government provide?

    Reimbursement rates vary and can be found on our Reimbursement Rates information page here.

    BACK

    Child Care Centers

    Does milk have to be served if the parent doesn't want it?

    Unless there is a statement from a medical authority stating that the participant must not have milk, milk must be served with each meal.

    Does the participant have to be served everything if he/she doesn't want it?

    If the meal is pre-plated, all required components in required serving sizes must be served to all participants.

    Does a family day care home provider have to provide care in her/his own home or can it be in someone else's home? What if the provider rents a home or rents a non-home (commercial) space?

    Childcare must be provided in a home setting. It can be the provider's home or someone else's home. It cannot be in a commercial property.

    What if the parent doesn't want to return an Income Eligibility Form (IEF) to qualify for free or reduced price meals? (or give a SS# or income)?

    It up to the center if it wants to make a policy that all IEFs are returned. The parent or guardian can not be required to give their SS# or income; however, if they do not, the center may only claim the participants in the "paid" category.

    What is the difference between family style and pre-plated meal service?

    Pre-plated means that all required components are served in the correct amounts to each child at the beginning of the meal. Family style is when enough of all required components are prepared and placed on the table for the child to serve her/himself. All items are then passed to each child so that the child has the opportunity to serve themselves. The child should be encouraged to take or sample all items, but should not be forced.

    What are the Benefits of serving family Style meals?

    Family style meal service provides an opportunity to reach nutritional goals by encouraging a pleasant eating environment which will help give children the opportunity to enhance lifetime skills, such as motor skills, language, social skills, table manners, and independence. This method allows children to identify, and be introduced to new foods, new tastes, and new menus, while developing a positive attitude toward nutritious foods, sharing in group eating situations, and developing good eating habits.

    Family-style meals may also have a very positive effect on the picky eater. When children sit together and serve themselves, the picky eater may see others accepting foods and want to try the foods as well. The adult may need to encourage the picky eater to taste the food.

    Family-style meal service takes time, but persistence results in children who will develop lifetime skills at an early age.

    When using "family style" meal service, must the participant have all meal items placed on their plate?

    The participant must have an opportunity to take all food items, and all food items must be available in the proper serving sizes for all participants. The participant should be encouraged to take the required amount of all components. However, if the participant does not wish to have one of the items served, the participant does not have to place the item on their plate.

    Do I have to do one or the other (pre-plate or family style)?

    Yes, the center must choose to do one or the other for each meal. The center can use both in any given day i.e.; Breakfast pre-plated, Lunch served family style. Or, 3-5 year olds in a separate classroom are served family style and the 1-2 year olds meals are pre-plated.

    Can I save money by serving food with family style service?

    No, the center must still prepare and place on the table all components of a meal in big enough amounts to serve all children the minimum portions. Food that has been sitting out on the table or passed around the table can not be saved for later use.

    Are medical statements needed for food other than milk?

    In most cases, there are other components in the same category that can replace ones that can't be used. If there is a disability at issue, the center should get a medical statement.

    Do I have to cater to family religious or other preferences?

    That is a customer service issue between the family and the center. In most cases, there are items in each component grouping that can be substituted.

    BACK

    USDA Faith-Based & Community Initiatives

    What is the Faith-Based & Community Initiative?

    One of President Bush's first official acts as President was to create the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The Office was tasked at its inception with leading a "determined attack on need" by strengthening and expanding the role of faith-based and other community organizations in addressing the nation's social problems. The guiding principle behind President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative is that all social service providers, including faith-based charities, should be able to compete on an equal footing for public dollars to provide public services.

    What is USDA's involvement with the Faith-Based & Community Initiative?

    In December 2002, President Bush announced the addition of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to his Faith-Based and Community Initiative. On January 28, 2003, the Secretary of Agriculture appointed a Special Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (FBCI) at USDA. Since that time, the Director and her staff have been working closely with appropriate USDA agencies, particularly the Food and Nutrition Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and Rural Development agencies, to enhance the participation of faith-based and community organizations in key programs that deliver food, housing, and other services to low-income families and individuals in the United States and abroad.

    Hasn't USDA been working with faith-based and community organizations for many years? How is this different?

    It is true that USDA has long recognized the value that faith-based and community organizations bring to the table in delivering social services to those in need. Reaching out to and partnering with community organizations, including ones which are faith-based, has been the Food and Nutrition Service's way of doing business for many years. The President's Initiative calls on USDA to build upon and expand successful partnerships of the past. It demonstrates a renewed commitment to integrating faith-based and other community organizations in agency programs and to allowing faith-based organizations to participate in Federal programs without impairing their independence, autonomy, expression, or religious character. It also asks us to explore new, innovative approaches in providing services involving organizations that may have previously considered themselves ineligible or were simply unaware of USDA's many programs. At the end of the day, the President's Initiative dovetails with the Food and Nutrition Service's mission and has the same ultimate goal: to see more people served in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

    Does this mean that faith-based organizations get "special treatment"?

    No. The Initiative does not give preference to faith-based organizations. Faith-based organizations that receive Federal funding are held to the same standards as all other providers of services. For example, they must comply with the accounting requirements that apply to other organizations, and they must demonstrate that their organization serves the purposes of the program. The Initiative simply recognizes that faith-based organizations, along with other community organizations, have a role to play in the provision of Federally-funded social services, and it clarifies the principles that apply when a faith-based organization receives government funds.

    Is there any money specifically set aside for faith-based organizations?

    No. The Federal government does not set aside funds specifically for faith-based organizations. Some small programs like the Compassion Capital Fund (administered by the Department of Health & Human Services) are designed to help faith-based and other community groups with the challenges they face in providing services to the poor. However, in awarding grants and other direct assistance, the Federal government does not ask, "Does your organization believe in God?" It asks, "Does your program work? Does it meet the specific requirements of the grant? Is it turning people's lives around? Is it accountable for the money it receives?"

    What is Executive Order 13279?

    This Presidential directive, signed in December 2002, is entitled "Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith-Based and Community Organizations." Among other things, this Executive Order clarifies the rights and responsibilities of faith-based organizations that partner with the Federal government. It required all Departments and Agencies to ensure their policies were aligned with the principles outlined in the Executive Order. USDA has issued a final regulation in accordance with this Executive Order, as discussed below.

    What does USDA's final rule on Equal Opportunity for Religious Organizations mean for Food and Nutrition Service programs?

    This regulation, issued on July 9, 2004, clarifies both the rights and the responsibilities of faith-based organizations that receive USDA grants and other forms of direct assistance. It specifies that faith-based organizations may not be excluded from the competition for USDA grants simply because they are religious. Neither the Federal government nor a State or local government receiving USDA assistance may discriminate for or against a religious organization on the basis of the organization's religious character or affiliation. The regulation also provides that faith-based organizations that receive Federal grants may participate without sacrificing their religious character and autonomy so that they can continue to carry out their missions consistent with their beliefs. For example, they do not need to change their name or chartering documents, or remove religious art or symbols from their facilities.
    The regulation also imposes certain restrictions on an organization's use of Federal funds for religious activities. The regulation specifies that organizations that receive direct Federal funds must serve all eligible participants, regardless of those persons' religious beliefs. It also prohibits organizations from using direct Federal funds to support any inherently religious activities (such as worship, religious instruction, or proselytization).
    You can find the text of the rule by downloading the following file PDF and see all the "dos" and "don'ts" enumerated in the rule.

    Does this "Equal Opportunity" rule apply to all Food and Nutrition Service programs?

    Yes.

    What are the rules on funding religious activity with Federal money?

    The United States Supreme Court has said that direct government assistance may not be used to support "inherently religious" activities. This means a faith-based organization may not use any direct Federal assistance to fund worship, religious instruction or proselytization. Instead, organizations may use government money only to support the non-religious social services that they provide.
    This does not mean the organization may not have religious activities; it simply means an organization may not use taxpayer dollars to fund inherently religious activities. If an organization receives direct government funds from USDA, any inherently religious activities must be privately funded, separate from the government-funded services, and voluntary. Therefore, faith-based organizations that receive direct governmental funds should take steps to separate, in time or location, their inherently religious activities from the government-funded services that they offer. Additionally, although an organization may invite program beneficiaries to join in its inherently religious activities, it must be clear to the beneficiaries that participation in such religious activity is voluntary and will have no bearing on receipt of the government-funded social service.
    All organizations should carefully account for their use of government money. Some faith-based organizations even choose to set up separate charitable organizations (such as a so-called "501(c)(3) corporation") to assist in keeping government-funded activities separate from inherently religious activities.

    Will the way in which a faith-based grant recipient hires employees change if they receive Federal funding?

    No. Food and Nutrition Service programs do not place nondiscrimination hiring requirements on recipients.

    If a faith-based organization receives a Federal grant to provide public assistance, may it choose not to provide that Federal assistance to some people on the basis of religion?

    No. If a faith-based organization receives a Federal grant to provide public assistance, it is not allowed in providing that program assistance, to discriminate against people on the basis of religion or religious belief. For example, if a religious organization receives public money to run an emergency food distribution program, it may not serve only persons of its faith and turn away others. In addition, and as discussed above, it may not require those it serves to profess a certain faith or participate in religious activities, in order to receive the service it provided for the Federal government.

    What will happen if an organization violates any of these rules?

    If an organization violates the requirements specified in the grant or otherwise improperly uses the funds it receives, it may be subject to administrative or legal action. Among other things, it may lose its grant funds, be required to repay the funds it received, and be required to pay any damages that might be awarded through court action. If an organization uses its funds fraudulently, it could be subject to criminal prosecution.

    Does a religious organization have to form a special nonprofit organization in order to receive Federal funding?

    Religious organizations do not have to form a special nonprofit organization in order to participate in Food and Nutrition Service programs.

    If an organization has a religious name and its chartering documents contain religious references, is it still eligible to receive Federal funding?

    Yes. A faith-based or religious organization does not need to change its identity - including its name or chartering documents - in order to qualify for a Federal grant. Nor does it need to remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other religious symbols from its property or its publications - although all of these items must have been purchased with private funds.

    If an organization has a requirement that the members of its governing board be members of the same faith, is it still eligible to receive Federal funding?

    Yes. This regulation specifically states that organizations may select their board members on a religious basis and still participate in Food and Nutrition Service programs.

    BACK