This monthly newsletter provides information on nutrition and physical activity programs, trainings and funding opportunities, and success stories from Iowa schools working to support healthy habits.

Stay Connected! Iowa Department of Education - Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services

Facebook: @healthyschoolsIA  Twitter: @IAhealthyschool Email: schoolmeals@iowa.gov

Sign up to be a 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Site

Schools are invited to register online for recognition at either the bronze, silver or gold level based on implementation of 5-2-1-0 strategies at their location. Registration can be completed online. Registered sites will be eligible to apply for a Healthiest State Award and have the opportunity to be highlighted during state-level presentations, in addition to other benefits. The 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! program provides a framework to create healthy environments and to teach kids how to make healthy choices. To access resources for teachers, caregivers, parents or health care sites, visit Iowa 5-2-1-0. This recognition was developed in partnership with the Healthiest State Initiative, Iowa Dept. of Public Health, United Way of Central Iowa and the Iowa Dept. of Education.

Resources from Nutrition.gov

Are you a teacher looking for nutrition-related handouts, lesson plans, or historical documents for your classes? Nutrition.gov has developed a collection of resources that can be used for the classroom, health fairs, and other educational events. Educators teaching history can find historical Federal nutrition education materials. Materials in this collection include posters, recipes, and radio transcripts starting from the late 1890s.

USDA Team Nutrition Stickers!

Team Nutrition is offering the following stickers exclusively for Team Nutrition schools until Oct 31 or while supplies last! Not sure if you are a Team Nutrition School? Check and update your enrollment status or sign up by visiting the Team Nutrition Website. It's quick and easy! - Make Today a Try-Day! - MyPlate Nate and Kate - Launch You Day with Breakfast! Ordering Information: https://orders.gpo.gov/TNPromotion_505P.aspx  Username: TNUser2  Password: Backtoschool2018 Find posters, songs, and fun activity ideas at the Team Nutrition Back to School Resources page.

Upcoming Dates:

Local Food Day Q&A Webinar (Sept. 5 at 1pm):  Overview of the day, best places to find local farmers and hear from two districts about their plans. Register today!  

News to Know Webinar (Sept. 24 at 2pm): Overview of how to prepare for your School Nutrition Administrative Review, lead by Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services Consultants. Register today!

Healthiest State Walk and Walk to School Day (Oct. 3): Hosting a walking event is a great step in promoting health and wellness at your school! For more info or to sign up, visit Iowa Healthiest State.

Iowa Local Food Day (Oct. 11): Sign up to participate! Visit Iowa Local Food Day webpage.

National School Lunch Week (Oct. 15-19): The #NSLW18 them is "School Lunch: Lots 2 Love," designed to help students and school nutrition professionals connect and share what each loves most about school lunch! Visit School Nutrition Association for a collection of resources.

Preparing Quality School Meals Culinary Workshop (Oct. 26): Iowa Team Nutrition is holding a culinary workshop led by Chad Taylor, Executive Chef for Des Moines Public Schools that will include a tour of the Central Nutrition Center, demostration of culinary techniques, and hands-on food production lab. For more information and to register visit the event page!

5-2-1-0 Summit (Oct. 30): Professionals from the health care, child care, community and education sectors are invited to attend. The event will be at Des Moines University. Mileage and sub-pay reimbursement will be available. Registration will open Sept. 10th. Stay connected for updates!

Reduce Food Waste in School Meals

When considering strategies to reduce waste in school meal programs, first focus on ways to increase consumption (i.e. offer vs. serve, adequate time to eat, variety of foods, etc.). If food waste is still a concern, consider a Sharing Table, a station where students may place items they choose not to eat and are made available for other students or utilized in the nurse’s office, afterschool activities, etc. What can be placed on a Sharing Table?  Packaged shelf-stable foods (crackers, cereal packs, etc.) or whole fruit. What about milk, string cheese, or yogurt? A variance needs to be submitted to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals that includes a food safety plan. Visit Food Waste Reduction in School Meals for a collection of resources.

School Meal Adminstrative Reviews

School Meal Programs are reviewed at least once every three years. The process is called an Administrative Review (AR) and covers the many aspects of the operation. Critical areas include benefit issuance, meal counting and claiming, the meal pattern and nutritional quality requirements. General areas address resource management, wellness policy, food safety, procurement, professional standards, and other areas of compliance.  Scheduled for a review this year? Visit Preparing for a Review to find a collection or resources to assist you.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter ad- dressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the com- plaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Ave SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone numbers 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.