Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter

Indiana Department of Education sent this bulletin at 06/21/2018 12:58 PM EDT

6/21/2018

Dear Food Service Contact,

This email provides current news for schools concerning 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.

Procurement Records Management Trainings

  • The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will be hosting a series of regional Procurement Records Management Trainings.
  • The in-person procurement trainings will cover four areas:
    • Procurement Review
    • Procurement Procedures
    • Code of Ethics/Conflict of Interest
    • Records Management
  • Attendees will receive credit toward their annual Professional Standards requirements.
  • All trainings are from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. local time.
  • To view dates, locations, and to register, click here. 
  • If you have any questions, email Cindy Harris or call her at 317-232-9143.

Meal Pattern Updates for School Year 2018-2019

Whole Grain-Rich Exemption Extended for School Year 2018-2019

  • USDA has extended the whole grain-rich exemption for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) through school year 2018-2019.
  • School Food Authorities (SFAs) that were previously approved for a whole grain-rich exemption in a previous school year are not required to reapply for this next school year.
  • SFAs that do not currently have a whole grain-rich exemption or would like to request additional exemptions can submit their request here.
  • In order to qualify for an exemption, SFAs must be able to demonstrate a hardship in procuring compliant whole grain-rich products that are acceptable to students.
  • SFAs must still ensure that over the course of the week, at least half of the grains offered must be whole grain-rich.
  • Please note:
    • This policy still does not apply to competitive foods (foods that are not part of the reimbursable meal). Grain products served a la carte, as seconds, in vending machines, through fundraisers, or through any other venue that sells to students during the school day, must still be whole grain-rich or a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable.
    • The whole grain-rich exemption does not apply to those SFAs that must implement the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern for students less than six years old.
  • To view USDA’s recent memo, click here.
  • Questions? Email Ashley Heller or call her at 317-232-0544.

Additional Milk Flexibilities for School Year 2018-2019

  • For school year 2018-2019, the USDA Interim Final Rule allows SFAs the option to offer low-fat flavored milk as part of a reimbursable meal for students in grades K through 12 (for NSLP and SBP) and for Special Milk Program (SMP) and CACFP participants six years of age and older without applying for an exemption. SFAs may also offer low-fat flavored milk as a competitive beverage for sale without applying for an exemption.
  • Please note:
    • SFAs are not required to file an exemption for the 2018-2019 school year.
    • This flexibility for school year 2018-2019 does not apply to those SFAs that must implement the CACFP meal pattern for students less than 6 years old. Those students cannot be served flavored milk.
  • To view USDA’s recent memo, click here.
  • Questions? Email Ashley Heller or call her at 317-232-0544.

Retaining Sodium Target 1 for School Year 2018-2019

  • SFAs must continue to meet Sodium Target 1 for school year 2018-2019.
  • USDA and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will continue to support SFAs in sodium reduction efforts with resources, technical assistance, and information through the FNS "What’s Shaking?" and "Team Up for School Nutrition Success" initiatives and through USDA Foods and USDA Recipes.
  • Schools are encouraged to continue to work towards creating low-sodium menus that students enjoy.
  • Click here to view USDA’s meal pattern including Sodium Target 1.
  • To view USDA’s recent memo, click here.
  • Contact your Field Specialist with any questions. 

Notes from the Food Distribution Program (FDP)

  • State contracted warehouses will make their final deliveries to Recipient Agencies (RAs) for school year 2017-2018 by Saturday, June 30. Warehouse deliveries will resume in Fall 2018.
  • When transferring USDA Foods (commodities) from one RA to another, a transfer form is now required. Please click here to access a copy of the form on our FDP webpage.
  • IDOE will again start charging excess storage fees for product left at the state contracted warehouses (Dilgard, Stanz, McFarling and Wabash) past the 45 day grace period. Fees will be assessed and invoiced beginning Monday, October 1. Inventory should be removed from the warehouse as quickly as possible. For more information regarding excess storage fees, please click here to read the latest Brown Box to Bulk newsletter which is posted on the FDP webpage.
  • Questions? Email Cheryl Moore or call her at 317-234-2516.

Common Textbook Questions and Answers

  • A household paid for their meals all year long and in the last week of school they submitted a free and reduced application. They are now eligible for free meals, do I give them free textbooks?
    • Even if the household waits to apply for benefits near the end of the school year, if a student is determined eligible for assistance they should receive free textbooks at that time.
  • A household submitted a new application after our school year has concluded. The application was approved for free benefits. Does that mean they should get free textbooks for the 2017-2018 school year?
    • If a student is determined eligible for assistance, the school corporation pays the required fees.  However, when the school year has ended, it is a local decision whether or not the application approval retroactively applies to past-due textbook fees.  Schools should have a local policy regarding this.
  • A household declined Direct Certification benefits at the beginning of the year, now that they received their textbook bill they want to re-instate their free status. Can I do that?
    • It is up to the school as to whether or not free/reduced lunch status is reinstated. Schools should have a consistent policy to address this issue.
  • A household was pulled for verification and could not provide documentation to support their free status. They changed to paid. Does this mean they also are responsible for their textbook fees?
    • If a student no longer qualifies for assistance, the school would prorate the amount of textbook costs due. Under IC 20-33-5-6, after a determination of ineligibility, the school may bill the parent for the student’s fees. 
  • The person who processes textbook benefits logged into our student database and reviewed all free/reduced information, is this allowable?
    • While the textbook processor is considered “need to know” in order to process textbook benefits, SFAs should only release free/reduced information from those households that signed the box stating they want textbook benefits. Any household that did not sign this box on the application or any direct certified household that opted out of textbook benefits cannot be disclosed to the textbook processor.
  • Questions about Textbook benefits? Email Melissa Ambre.  

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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.