USDA released the reimbursement rates for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and After School Snack Programs effective from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011. Lunch
Paid - $0.26 Reduced - $2.32 Free - $2.72 Districts serving at least 60 percent free and reduced-price lunches in school year 2008-09 will receive a 2-cent supplemental lunch reimbursement. This additional reimbursement will be applied and paid automatically to eligible districts through the Child Nutrition Programs Information Management System (CNPIMS).
Snack
Paid - $0.06 Reduced - $0.37 Free - $0.74 Breakfast
Paid - $0.26 Reduced - $1.18 Free - $1.48 Breakfast - Severe Need*
Reduced - $0.28 Free - $0.28 Special Milk Program
Pricing Programs Without Free Option - All Milk $0.1775 Pricing Programs With Free Option - Paid Milk $0.1775 Nonpricing Programs - All Milk $0.1775 *Districts may qualify and apply for Severe Need Breakfast reimbursement in addition to the regular breakfast reimbursement. Within a district, some campuses may be eligible for severe need funding and others may not. For a campus to be eligible, at least 40 percent of its total lunches served in school year 2008-09 must have been free or reduced. The district must also complete a Severe Need Breakfast reimbursement application. There are instances where a new school may qualify for Severe Need Breakfast reimbursement. For additional information, e-mail the Food and Nutrition Division at squaremeals@texasagriculture.gov or call toll-free at (877) TEX-MEAL.
UPDATED: SY2011 Change In Rate Of Assistance
SY 2011 Commodity Meal Rate - The national average rate for the period July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, is 22.75 cents for NSLP schools.
USDA has published the new Rate of Assistance for SY 2011 as $0.2025. However, when determining entitlement, USDA added $0.025 to the published rate due to additional funding, making the new SY 2011 rate $0.2275. TDA will use the rate of $0.2275 to determine entitlement in the Texas Commodity System (TCS). USDA will be announcing additional offerings to help schools spend the additional entitlement. Our office will post the information on the TCS homepage as it becomes available from USDA.
All districts are required to have two health inspections per school before July 1. This is an annual program requirement and report that is filed with USDA every November. The results of these inspections must be submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture through the Child Nutrition Programs Information Management System (CNPIMS). Failure to meet this requirement can impact continued funding for the Child Nutrition Programs. Good faith effort on the part of the district to secure the inspections will be considered before any action is taken by the state agency.
If you have any questions about this program requirement, please contact your local education service center child nutrition program specialist or the Food and Nutrition Division at (888) TEX-KIDS. 
