Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter

Indiana Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/24/2019 01:31 PM EDT

10/24/2019

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.

Claims Due Soon!

Don't forget! The last day to open your August claim is Wednesday, October 30. If you are still not approved in the CNPweb, you will not be able to open or submit a claim.
Questions about being approved in the CNPweb? Contact Ashley Heller at aheller@doe.in.gov.
Questions about claims? Contact the Finance Team at SCNFinance@doe.in.gov.

Deadline Approaching! 2019 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant

Don't forget! The deadline for applying for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant is Friday, November 1.
This grant, funded through USDA, provides assistance to schools with helping purchase new or updated equipment for their kitchens.
Equipment should promote the goals of encouraging the consumption of healthy meals, meeting the approved meal pattern, safely storing and preparing food, and energy efficiency.
The maximum individual grant per site will be $50,000.
Per USDA mandates, preference will be given to:

Those with a higher free and reduced percentage
Schools and corporations that have not previously received equipment grants

Please note! Food service operating balances will be reviewed for excess funds (defined as over three months average operating expenses) that could fund the new equipment.
Schools that have submitted grants in the past, but have not been awarded funds, should consider reapplying.
Award recipients will be announced by February 1, 2020.
For more information and to access the application, click here.
Questions? Contact Joe Olivadoti at jolivadoti1@doe.in.gov.

Food Distribution Program Food Update

The specifications for USDA Refried Beans 100362 have been changed by USDA.
The change comes from a request for better flavored beans.
The refried beans that schools receive may now be labeled as spicy refried beans.
Questions? Contact Cheryl Moore at cmoore@doe.in.gov.

NEW Financial Management Resources

The Finance Team is happy to announce NEW training resources are now available for all Child Nutrition Program sponsors. Refer to the Financial Management webpage to access the following fact sheets:
- Nonprofit School Foodservice Account
  - Addresses management of federal funds (allowable and unallowable costs, internal controls, and equipment purchases).
- Revenue from Nonprogram Foods
  - Provides sponsors with guidance on the sale of non-reimbursable meals to students, adults, and the public (a la carte, adult meals, and catering, etc.).
- Indirect Costs
  - Clarifies direct and indirect expenses.
  - Addresses rate calculations for public, private, and charter schools (also School Food Authorities (SFAs) with a Food Service Management Company).
- How to File Site Claims for CEP Sponsors
  - Provides step-by-step instructions on how to properly file a monthly site claim for approved CEP schools.
- How to Correct AFR Errors
  - Offers detailed directions on how to correct AFRs that have been returned to SFAs by the state agency.
Questions? Please contact the finance team at SCNFinance@doe.in.gov.

New USDA Memos

USDA released five new memos regarding the School Nutrition Program.
Clarification on the Milk and Water Requirements in the School Meal Programs
- Clarifies regulations that water made available to students in the NSLP and School Breakfast Program (SBP) shall not compete with the milk requirement.
Questions and Answers on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements
- Addresses questions regarding the memo released December 12, 2018 "Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements," which provided menu planning flexibilities beginning July 1.
Salad Bars in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
- Provides schools with information on how salad bars can effectively improve the service of reimbursable meals and includes information on portion size, location of the salad bar, production records, and food safety.
Smoothies Offered in Child Nutrition Programs
- Clarifies juice and yogurt allowances and incorporates the meal pattern flexibilities related to flavored milk and other food/beverage items.
Meal Requirements Under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Questions and Answers for Program Operators
- Covers a variety of questions and information on meal requirements in the NSLP and SBP, including incorporating changes per new memos, updated crediting questions, and a new resources section.
You can find a link to USDA memos here.
Questions? Contact your field specialist.

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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 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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