[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2913-2914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00877]
[[Page 2913]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Summer Food Service Program 2015 Reimbursement Rates
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to
the reimbursement rates for meals served in the Summer Food Service
Program for Children. These adjustments address changes in the Consumer
Price Index, as required under the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act. The 2015 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set
of rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. The 2015
rates are also presented individually, as separate operating and
administrative rates of reimbursement, to show the effect of the
Consumer Price Index adjustment on each rate.
DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tina Namian, Policy and Program
Development Division, Child Nutrition Programs, Food and Nutrition
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center
Drive, Suite 1206, Alexandria, Virginia 22302; or phone 703-305-2590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is
listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.559
and is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, which
requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials.
(See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V, and final rule-related notice
published at 48 FR 29114, June 24, 1983.)
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
3501-3518, no new recordkeeping or reporting requirements have been
included that are subject to approval from the Office of Management and
Budget.
This notice is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, and thus is exempt from the provisions of that
Act. Additionally, this notice has been determined to be exempt from
formal review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive
Order 12866.
Definitions
The terms used in this notice have the meaning ascribed to them
under 7 CFR part 225 of the SFSP regulations.
Background
This notice informs the public of the annual adjustments to the
reimbursement rates for meals served in SFSP. In accordance with
sections 12(f) and 13, 42 U.S.C. 1760(f) and 1761, of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) and SFSP regulations under 7
CFR part 225, the United States Department of Agriculture announces the
adjustments in SFSP payments for meals served to participating children
during calendar year 2015.
The 2015 reimbursement rates are presented as a combined set of
rates to highlight simplified cost accounting procedures. Reimbursement
is based solely on a ``meals times rates'' calculation, without
comparison to actual or budgeted costs. Sponsors receive reimbursement
that is determined by the number of reimbursable meals served
multiplied by the combined rates for food service operations and
administration. However, the combined rate is based on separate
operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, each of which is
adjusted differently for inflation.
Calculation of Rates
The combined rates are constructed from individually authorized
operating and administrative reimbursements. Simplified procedures
provide flexibility, enabling sponsors to manage their reimbursements
to pay for any allowable cost, regardless of the cost category.
Sponsors remain responsible, however, for ensuring proper
administration of the Program, while providing the best possible
nutritional benefit to children. The operating and administrative rates
are calculated separately. However, the calculations of adjustments for
both cost categories are based on the same set of changes in the Food
Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United
States Department of Labor. They represent a 2.9 percent increase in
this series for the 12 month period, from November 2013 through
November 2014 (from 244.97 in November 2013 to 251.987 in November
2014).
Table of 2015 Reimbursement Rates
Presentation of the 2015 maximum per meal rates for meals served to
children in SFSP combines the results from the calculations of
operational and administrative payments, which are further explained in
this notice. The total amount of payments to State agencies for
disbursement to SFSP sponsors will be based upon these adjusted
combined rates and the number of meals of each type served. These
adjusted rates will be in effect from January 1, 2015, through December
31, 2015.
Summer Food Service Program 2015 Reimbursement Rates (Combined)
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All states except Alaska and Alaska Hawaii
Hawaii ---------------------------------------------------------------
Per meal rates in whole or fractions of U.S. dollars --------------------------------
Rural or self- All other Rural or self- All other Rural or self- All other
prep sites types of sites prep sites types of sites prep sites types of sites
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Breakfast............................................... 2.0775 2.0375 3.3750 3.3100 2.4300 2.3825
Lunch or Supper......................................... 3.6450 3.5875 5.9100 5.8150 4.2650 4.1950
Snack................................................... 0.8650 0.8450 1.4025 1.3700 1.0100 0.9875
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Operating Rates
The portion of the SFSP rates for operating costs is based on
payment amounts set in section 13(b)(1) of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C.
1761(b)(1). They are rounded down to the nearest whole cent, as
required by section 11(a)(3)(B) of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(3)(B).
[[Page 2914]]
Summer Food Service Program Operating Component of 2015 Reimbursement Rates
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All states
Operating rates in U.S. dollars, rounded down to the nearest except Alaska Alaska Hawaii
whole cent and Hawaii
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Breakfast....................................................... 1.89 3.07 2.21
Lunch or Supper................................................. 3.30 5.35 3.86
Snack........................................................... 0.77 1.25 0.90
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Administrative Rates
The administrative cost component of the reimbursement is
authorized under section 13(b)(3) of the NSLA, 42 U.S.C. 1761(b)(3).
Rates are higher for sponsors of sites located in rural areas and for
``self-prep'' sponsors that prepare their own meals, at the SFSP site
or at a central facility, instead of purchasing them from vendors. The
administrative portion of SFSP rates are adjusted, either up or down,
to the nearest quarter-cent.
Summer Food Service Program Administrative Component of 2015 Reimbursement Rates
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All states except Alaska and Alaska Hawaii
Hawaii ---------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative rates in U.S. dollars, adjusted, up or --------------------------------
down, to the nearest quarter-cent Rural or self- All other Rural or self- All other Rural or self- All other
prep sites types of sites prep sites types of sites prep sites types of sites
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Breakfast............................................... 0.1875 0.1475 0.3050 0.2400 0.2200 0.1725
Lunch or Supper......................................... 0.3450 0.2875 0.5600 0.4650 0.4050 0.3350
Snack................................................... 0.0950 0.0750 0.1525 0.1200 0.1100 0.0875
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Authority: Sections 9, 13, and 14, Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1761, and 1762a, respectively.
Dated: January 14, 2015.
Audrey Rowe,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-00877 Filed 1-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P