Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter

Indiana Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/31/2019 01:02 PM EDT

10/31/2019

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.

Orientation to School Nutrition Management Registration Now Open!

  • IDOE, in partnership with the Institute of Child Nutrition, will be providing Orientation to School Nutrition Management December 2-6. 
    • The target audience of this training includes school nutrition program staff with fewer than five years of experience as a director or those on track to become a director.
    • This training will provide an overview of many topics within school nutrition. 
    • This 4.5 day training will take place in Shelbyville, Indiana on Monday, December 2, through Thursday, December 5, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday, December 6, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET.
    • Click here for a flyer with more information.
    • Click here to register for this training.
  • Questions? Contact Maggie Schabel at mschabel@doe.in.gov.

Verification Summary Report

  • The last step of the verification process is to complete the Verification Summary Report (VSR) in the CNPweb (under the Claims/AFR tab).
  • This report will not be ready until the October claim for reimbursement has been filed.
  • New this year! The VSR due date has moved from December 15 and will now be due Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
  • Want more information? View the recent VSR webinar here.
  • Click here for instructions, a fact sheet, and a worksheet for the VSR.
  • Questions about the VSR? Contact Allie Caito-Sipe at acaito@doe.in.gov or your Field Specialist.

Serving Up USDA Foods Photo Contest

  • In celebration of National School Lunch Week 2019 USDA is announcing the 4th annual Photo Contest!
  • Previously known as the “Show Us Your Tray” contest, this contest gives schools a chance to showcase how they are “Serving Up USDA Foods” in their meals!
  • Inspire other child nutrition professionals and submit a picture of your most creative meal, whether it is breakfast or lunch, utilizing direct-delivered USDA Foods.
  • Show how you use USDA Foods proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy to liven up your meals! Your submissions will provide child nutrition professionals with healthy, creative, student-approved meal ideas utilizing USDA Foods.
  • The Serving Up USDA Foods photo contest beings tomorrow, Friday, November 1 and ends Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
  • For 2020 contest and submission details, click here.
  • Send all entries to USDAFoods@usda.gov.

Food Distribution Program Updates

School Holidays and Breaks Deliveries Reminder

  • Reminder! Schools must have a plan in place for accepting and handling USDA Foods deliveries from the state contracted warehouses (Dilgard, McFarling, Stanz, and Wabash) during holiday and winter breaks. 
  • It is a great inconvenience to the delivery drivers when they attempt to make a school delivery and school staff is unavailable to accept it.
    • If they cannot unload the attempted delivery, the driver has to rearrange and work around several USDA Foods cases before he or she can make the next delivery.
  • Here are some USDA Foods delivery best practices for schools:
    • Check the school calendar for holidays, breaks, and closures before scheduling deliveries.
    • Always have staff available to inspect, verify, and accept ALL deliveries, even during meal services, holidays, and school breaks. This will help avoid missed deliveries and schools being charged delivery drop fees from the warehouse.
    • Do not place an order for a week that the school will be closed or on break, unless someone will definitely be available to accept it.
  • Questions? Contact Cheryl Moore at cmoore@doe.in.gov.

Bonus Items

  • The issue with the bonus items listed below has been corrected.
  • Recipient Agencies (RAs) should see USDA Foods bonus items, Sweet Frozen Cherries-110872, canned Sliced Pears 100224, and canned Diced Pears 100225 in their inventory. RAs will also see Pulled Pork - 110730 in their inventory, which is another bonus item from USDA.
  • Sponsors can now place these items on an order form for delivery to your sites.
  • Please note that taking these items is optional.
  • Questions? Contact Cheryl Moore at cmoore@doe.in.gov.

Last Chance! 2019 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant

  • Don't forget! The deadline for applying for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant is tomorrow, Friday, November 1.
  • For more information and to access the application, click here.
  • Questions? Contact Joe Olivadoti at jolivadoti1@doe.in.gov.

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

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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.