Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter

Indiana Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/22/2019 09:25 AM EDT

08/22/2019

Dear Food Service Contact,

This email provides news for schools concerning the Child Nutrition Programs from the USDA and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). 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.

Updated Direct Certification Data

The Direct Certification (DC) system was recently updated with the most current eligibility information for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid Free, and Medicaid Reduced benefits.

Foster data has not been updated for this current month, once the data has been received it will be posted and sponsors will be notified.

Sponsors should be conducting a DC Standard Match, No Counties Match, and Extended Eligibility Match every month.
Click here to access the DC database.

Requirements for Student Transfers from Provision to Non-Provision Schools Now In Effect

USDA wants to remind sponsors that new requirements for student transfers from Provision to Non-Provision schools are effective July 1, 2019.
Provision schools are those that are operating the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Provision 2, or Provision 3. This means all students receive a free meal without having to complete an annual application or being identified through the Direct Certification system.
Whether the student transfers at the beginning of the year or during the middle of the school year, sponsors should provide (and claim) free meals for the first 30 operating days or until a new eligibility determination is made, whichever comes first.
Click here for USDA’s memo.
Click here for IDOE’s Transferring Eligibility fact sheet.
Questions? Contact Allie Caito-Sipe at acaito@doe.in.gov.

Equipment Purchases

We are happy to announce that USDA recently approved IDOE’s Pre-Approved Kitchen Equipment Purchase List for Child Nutrition Programs.
The list consists of commonly purchased non-expendable, tangible equipment items that exceed the $5,000 threshold.
School Food Authorities (SFAs) will no longer need to receive prior state agency approval, as long as the items are included on the pre-approved list.
For all other kitchen equipment purchases not included on the pre-approved list or for large renovation projects, SFAs must submit the IDOE Equipment Approval Form to the state agency for prior approval.
Please note! Proper procurement practices must be followed for all kitchen equipment purchases, and SFAs must maintain a copy of all receipts and invoices for a minimum of three years, plus the current year.
Click here to visit the Procurement Resources webpage, which has the pre-approved equipment purchase list, as well as, information on the equipment purchase process and other procurement fact sheets.
Questions? Contact the finance team at SCNFinance@doe.in.gov.

Open Comment Period on Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

USDA proposes updating the regulations to refine categorical eligibility requirements based on receipt of TANF benefits.
Specifically, USDA proposes:
- To define “benefits” for categorical eligibility to mean ongoing and substantial benefits; and
- to limit the types of non-cash TANF benefits conferring categorical eligibility to those that focus on subsidized employment, work supports and childcare.
Written comments must be received on or before Monday, September 23. Click here to comment.

National School Lunch Week (NSLW) 2019

NSLW will be here before you know it!
Taking place October 14-18, the #NSLW19 theme this year is "School Lunch: What's On Your Playlist?"
SNA has many ideas, resources and materials for schools to utilize during this week. Click here to access those resources and for more information on the week.

Team Nutrition's Healthy Meals Resource System (HMRS) has Moved!

HMRS has moved to the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) and is now part of the ICN's new Child Nutrition Sharing Site!
The ICN's Child Nutrition Sharing Site (CNSS) is an online resource center providing Child Nutrition Programs with a means for sharing valuable resources related to program operations.
The CNSS will give child nutrition professionals a one-stop shop to access high-quality resources and training materials that support current Federal regulations, policies, and guidance.
The CNSS will be rolled out in multiple phases.
Phase one of the CNSS, which is available now, gives child nutrition professionals access to resources and trainings that were housed previously on the Healthy Meals Resource System.
Click here to access current resources.

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

Was the newsletter forwarded to you? Want to add other employees to receive the newsletter? Click here to be added to the contact list.

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 Ashley Heller at aheller@doe.in.gov, call (317) 232-0544, or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20544.

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