USDA Rolls Out Child Nutrition Hiring Flexibility Rule

The USDA recently announced the introduction of the Child Nutrition Hiring Flexibility Rule.  Ag officials say the rule will give states and local school districts the flexibility they need to operate their school meals programs as they see fit, all while protecting tax-payer dollars.

"This rule provides some much-needed regulatory relief in school districts with less than 25-hundred students, states will have more control over the hiring standards for their school meal staff," Deputy Ag Secretary Steve Senske.

School Nutrition Association president Lynn Harvey welcomed the news.

"This is probably a very mild modification, but it helps programs do what they're intended to do...so we appreciate the flexibility. And we appreciate the partnership that we see with the USDA ion making these programs the best they can be."

There is a 60-day comment period before the final rule is developed.

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