NSLP & School Breakfast Program (SBP) Updates:

For all Policy and Memos from USDA go here .

2023 School Nutrition Programs Annual Training

With 85 Food Service Professionals in attendance from across the State, we had a great experience at the annual training.  We thank everyone who attended and our speakers who contributed to the success of the training.

Thank You!! Robin Tennille with TCB/ICN, Terri Brown with PrimeroEdge, and Victoria Hoskins and Nancy McWilliams with the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

SNA 2023 ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE (ANC)

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) empowers and supports 50,000+ school nutrition professionals in advancing the accessibility, quality and integrity of school nutrition programs to advance our mission of well-nourished students, prepared to succeed. Our vision is that every student has access to nutritious meals at school, ensuring their optimal health and well-being.  The 2023 conference did not disappoint. This three-day event attended by 6,000+ school nutrition professionals is held every July. With 120+ education sessions, 800+ exhibit booths, and a host of networking events, it is known as the School Nutrition Event of the Year!  

NEW - Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 

Effective immediately, sponsors are no longer required to have a current SAM.gov registration to participate and receive payment for child nutrition, TEFAP, or other USDA reimbursements made through the state. All sponsors must have a UEI number, but do not need to renew and maintain an active SAM.gov registration.  All currently active sponsors meet this requirement, so no action is required on your part.

New sponsors and sponsors that have not been active yet in FY2023 must obtain a UEI number if they do not already have one and provide proof of registration, such as a screenshot of the registration page displaying your name and UEI number.

This change is only applicable for reimbursements made through the state for child nutrition/FNS programs.  If you receive Federal funds directly, you must have an active SAM.gov registration.  If you participate in other Federal grants, you should check with the grantor to ensure you comply with their requirements.

Debbie Soto 

Education Program Associate II (Special Milk Program)

“I joined DEED in 2012 and after a month in the Assessment Section transferred to Child Nutrition. I have had the pleasure of supporting the National School Lunch Program for 11 years as a Program Assistant and now as an Education Associate II. It has been my pleasure to assist districts/sponsors in any way I can to help them run a successful nutrition program to ensure the school children in the great state of Alaska are well fed and thus ready to learn. I worked for the Juneau School District for 8 years as a Para-Educator and saw firsthand the importance of good nutrition during the school day.  

My husband Edwin (of 35 years) and I are the proud parents of 4 beautiful children and the even prouder grandparents of 6 adorable grandchildren. Juneau has been home for 53 years! I enjoy hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing, and spending time with friends and family.

FNS’ new webpage, Serving Traditional Indigenous Foods in Child Nutrition Programs, houses resources such as the Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs Tip Sheet series, Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG), Gardens in Tribal Communities fact sheet, and USDA standardized recipes. Explore these resources and more on the traditional Indigenous foods webpage today at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/serving-traditional-indigenous-foods.

The Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs is a central resource that comprehensively outlines the required USDA Professional Standards for State and local school nutrition program professionals who manage and operate the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).* The resource supports school nutrition professionals in ensuring they have the knowledge, training, and tools they need to ensure the success of the NSLP and SBP. This updated version includes the four new hiring flexibilities established March 1, 2019, for new school nutrition program directors in small local educational agencies (LEAs) and new State directors of school nutrition programs under the Professional Standards regulations for the NSLP and SBP. It also provides useful information regarding available trainings in the Professional Standards Training Database and tracking training using the Professional Standards Training Tracker Tool (PSTTT). 

Master the Professional Standards Training Tracker Tool (PSTTT)! This webinar provides a demonstration of the PSTTT, as well as an overview of the Professional Standards requirements and resources. The webinar can be viewed in English and with Spanish captions at https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/professional-standards-resources.

The Nutrient Analysis Protocols: How to Analyze Menus for USDA’s School Meals Programs (NAP Manual) is a technical assistance resource for school nutrition or state agency professionals.

This manual provides guidance for the calculation of nutrient analyses of school menus, which allow the school and state agency to provide documentation that the school is meeting the dietary specifications for National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Link to Manual: Nutrient-Analysis-Protocols-Manual

Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition: https://theicn.org/cicn/ This new section of trainings from ICN is great for districts that want to do more scratch cooking, or have cooks who need additional culinary skills.

iLearn – ICN E-learning (docebosaas.com).  Child Nutrition Sharing Site (CNSS) - recruiting new resources

Navigating the Food Buying Guide Calculator This webinar provides an interactive demonstration of the Food Buying Guide (FBG) Calculator, a feature included with the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based Tool. Participants learn how to create a shopping list using the FBG Calculator when ordering food for their programs. The webinar can be viewed in English and with Spanish captions at https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/food-buying-guide-training-resources.

Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs