Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter

Indiana Department of Education sent this bulletin at 01/10/2019 09:22 AM EST

01/10/2019

Dear Food Service Contact,

This email provides 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.

The Federal Government Shutdown’s Effect on Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) Reimbursement

  • The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has an allotment of CNP funds that will provide reimbursement well into the month of March.
    • The Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) include the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Special Milk Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
  • IDOE will continue to keep institutions informed on the status of the shutdown and CNP funding.

Coffee Break Webinars

  • Don't forget! IDOE is hosting Coffee Break Webinars this month!
    • The next webinar will be next Wednesday, January 16, at 1:30 p.m. on using the new calendar of due dates.
  • For more information and to register for the webinars, click here.
  • Can't listen to the webinar live? All coffee break webinars will be recorded and uploaded to inTEAM's Blackboard.
  • Questions? Contact Maggie Schabel at mschabel@doe.in.gov.

Indiana School Nutrition Association (ISNA) Winter Seminar and New Certificate Program Courses

  • Mark your calendars! ISNA's Winter Seminar will be Friday, February 1 at the Willows on Westfield.
    • Topics include an exciting opening session by Dr. Patricia Payne, standardized recipes, an IDOE updates panel, food insecurity, food waste, and more!
    • For more information, click here.
    • To register, click here.
  • ISNA and IDOE have partnered together to present the first two courses of the new Indiana Food Service Director Certificate Program.
    • These courses will take place Thursday, January 31 at the Willows on Westfield.
    • The morning course will be on reimbursable school meals by Cathy Powers, and an afternoon course on menu planning to increase participation.
    • These courses are a part of a series of specific courses that will be conducted in Indiana throughout 2019 and beyond. 
    • For more information and to register, click here.
  • Questions? Contact Jan Frost at jan@indianasna.org. 

Food Buying Guide (FBG) Calculator

  • NEW! USDA has released a new calculator to use alongside the Food Buying Guide (FBG).
    • This calculator is designed to assist in creating a shopping list to make ordering food easier and more streamlined for sponsors.
  • Don't forget that the FBG can be accessed via app! You can now easily take the whole FBG with you wherever you go with the mobile app, which is available on iOS and Android platforms and can be downloaded on both phones and tablets. 
    • The app provides quick access to food yield information to help make purchasing decisions from your mobile device.
    • Compare yield information to determine the foods that best meet program needs.
    • Create a favorites list of food items.
    • Email and print search results, food comparisons, and favorites list. 
  • Click here to access the Food Buying Guide and Calculator. 

Grant Opportunity

  • Is your cafeteria in need of new and/or additional equipment to keep your dairy products on display, cold, and easily accessible?
  • If you said yes, you're in luck! The American Dairy Association of Indiana is offering its Dairy Dollars Grant again.
  • Food Service can apply for up to $2,000 for new cafeteria equipment.
  • The application is now open and will close on Thursday, January 31.
  • Click here to complete an application. 

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. You can also contact Sarah Kenworthy at skenworthy@doe.in.gov, call (317) 232-0857, or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20857.