State trainers emphasize confidentiality: eligibility data limited to meal administration and specified program uses

Randa Mead emphasized confidentiality requirements for eligibility data: information provided on household applications and obtained through direct certification can be used only to determine meal benefits. She cited the National School Lunch Act as permitting disclosure to persons "directly connected with the administration or enforcement of certain programs or activities" without prior notice or consent, and she noted state education programs administered by a state agency or LEA may also access eligibility status without prior notice.

Mead said any other sharing outside the school nutrition team requires parental or guardian consent, which is why the state restricts direct access to these data to school nutrition directors and grants access to other staff only on a case-by-case basis. She urged recipients to be "good stewards" of the data and to set up local processes and agreements before sharing eligibility information.