Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter

Indiana Department of Education sent this bulletin at 04/18/2018 03:45 PM EDT

4/18/2018

Dear Food Service Contact,

This email provides the most up-to-date news for schools about the Child Nutrition Programs from USDA and the State. If you are the food service contact for your school or corporation, it is your responsibility to relay important information provided to you about the Child Nutrition Programs to other staff members.

Registration Now Open! Culinary Skills for A+ School Meals

  • Want to enhance your culinary skills? Looking to improve the flavor of your school meals? Want to work smarter, not harder in the kitchen?
  • Sign up for this five-day culinary skills workshop designed for school nutrition professionals (directors, managers, head cooks, staff).
  • In the kitchen you will learn more about.
    • Culinary basics, mise en place, and knife skills
    • Cooking vegetables for greater appeal
    • Preparing great grains
    • Building a better sandwich
    • Success with salads and salad bars
  • Additionally, you will learn more about:
    • Smarter Lunchroom techniques
    • Farm-to-school
    • Utilizing speed scratch
    • Enhancing flavor in foods
    • Food safety and sanitation with salads and salad bars
  • There are eight different dates for this workshop - you'll select your date and location during registration.
  • Space is limited to 32 participants for each location.
  • There is no cost for the workshop.
  • You are responsible for your transportation and housing costs.
  • Registration link:  http://www.cvent.com/d/fgqk7d/4W
  • Summary page link: http://www.cvent.com/d/fgqk7d
  • For more information, email Cathy Powers or call 330-416-5943.

SY 2018-2019 Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Requirements

  • We have received many calls about the updated PLE Tool for next school year (SY).
  • Recently we learned that there will be changes to the PLE Requirement for SY 2018-2019 but have not received the final instructions from USDA with the updated PLE Tool.
  • We hope to receive that information soon and will put the changes in the weekly newsletter as soon as we get it.
  • Please keep reading the weekly School Nutrition Newsletters for PLE updates.

HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Discontinued 

  • USDA will no longer be accepting applications for the HUSSC Award Program, effective Sunday, July 1. 
  • USDA recognizes the value the award program has had to its stakeholders and is committed to maintaining the program through the end of the 2017-2018 school year. 
  • USDA will continue to work with schools during this phase-out period and provide support as they close-out the application process. 
  • Any applications submitted to State agencies by Saturday, June 30 will be reviewed for approval.
  • The USDA National Office will announce the final set of awards by Monday, December 31. 
  • Questions? Email TN-HUSSC@fns.usda.gov. 

Upcoming Webinar: Turn Your Students into School Meal Foodies! 

  • USDA's Team Nutrition and the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) are hosting a webinar to help immerse your students in the food culture and get them excited about tasty school meals. 
  • Webinar takes place on Thursday, April 26 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET. 
  • Webinar registration information can be found here. 

Missed a Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter? Click here to access previous newsletters!

Please do not reply directly to this email. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this email, please contact Allie Caito-Sipe at acaito@doe.in.gov, call (317)232-0849 or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20849. Or, contact Sarah Kenworthy at skenworthy@doe.in.gov, call (317)232-0857 or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20857.