The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has demonstrated how incredibly connected the world has become and how “in-it-together” we all are. KidKare by Minute Menu wants to affirm our commitment to continue supporting our valued customers and lead with transparency during this ever-changing situation.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has issued several waivers to help child care providers and sponsors during this time. This article is meant to be informative and does not supersede sponsor guidance. Please follow all guidance provided by your sponsor.
Note: Your sponsor must enable some of these features for you.
Meal Pickup Waiver
On March 25, 2020, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service issued a nationwide waiver to allow parents to pick up meals for their children from childcare sites. You can read the full text of the waiver here. Note that this waiver may not apply to your state. Your sponsor should inform you whether you are eligible for this waiver and how to apply it.
Meal Pattern Flexibility
On March 25, 2020, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service issued a nationwide waiver to allow meal pattern flexibility in child nutrition programs. You can read the full text of the waiver here. Your sponsor will provide guidance on how they wish you to record meals for the duration of this waiver. This could be one or a combination of the following:
- Record incomplete meals with comments.
- Use sponsor-provided placeholder meal items for missing meal components, such as milk.
School Closures
With public schools across the nation closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you can update the School Calendar in Minute Menu CX. This functionality is not available in KidKare.
- Click the Menus/Attendance menu and select Manage School Calendar. The Manage School Calendar window opens.
- If school is out for all children in your care, select the Selected Center option. Otherwise, select the Select Child option and select a specific child.
- Click the starting day on the calendar, hold down Shift on your keyboard, and click the ending day on the calendar.
- Right-click the calendar, and select Add School Out.
- Click Save.
Adjust Estimated Attendance & Food Forecasts
You may see attendance numbers outside of the norm. We recommend that you use the Estimate Attendance and Menu Production Record features to estimate how attendance changes impact your food needs.
If you use Minute Menu CX, see our tutorial videos here. If you use KidKare, see Estimate Attendance and Menu Production Record.
Grants & Financial Support
The following is a list of grant and financial support resources for child care and small businesses. We will continue to update this list as needed.
- Office of Child Care: Resources for Child Care Providers
- Grant Watch: Grants for Preschools, Early Childhood Grants
- Child Care Lounge: Grants for Early Childhood Education
- Assistance for Small Businesses US Treasury
- Coronavirus Relief Options (US Small Business Administration)
- Small Business Grant Program (Facebook)
- PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Guidance (Forbes)
Additional Resources
The following is a list of additional resources regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and CACFP. We will continue to add to this list, as needed.
- FNS's Program Guidance on Human Pandemic Response
- Child Nutrition Program Nationwide Waivers: Questions & Answers (FNS)
- Child Nutrition Program State by Sate COVID-19 Waivers
- Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide & Checklist (US Chamber of Commerce)
- Coronavirus Small Business Guides (US Chamber of Commerce)
