Deadline has Now Passed to Submit Verification Summary Report (VSR)
If you did not submit the VSR prior to the Monday, January 16, deadline, please do so as soon as possible. As a reminder, all sponsors must complete the VSR even if verification was not required. Training is available on the Moodle platform, under the verification tile, for those needing assistance. Instructions by sponsor type can be found on IDOE's Verification & Direct Verification webpage.
Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Attestation Statement Due Friday, January 25
Round two and three SCA funds are now available for all sponsors, including those that declined funds in round one and those that received funds. Funds may be used for the purchase of unprocessed and minimally processed domestic food, such as fresh fruit, milk, cheese, frozen vegetables, and ground meat. Please note, SCA funds cannot be used to pay for labor, supplies, or administrative expenses. Funds will be allocated to sponsors based on student enrollment after a minimum, set amount of $5,000 per sponsor is allocated.
Next Steps:
- Complete the SCA Attestation for round two and/or round three, either by accepting or refusing the SCA funds no later than Friday, January 20, at 5 p.m. ET.
- Sponsors that do not submit an attestation statement will be considered as refusing the additional funds.
- Distribution to sponsors that accept round two and/or three funds will occur no later than Tuesday, February 28.
- Any remaining funds will be calculated, and notification will be sent to sponsors interested in reallocation funds after the initial distribution.
Additional information is available via the documents linked below.
USDA Announces Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Reimbursement Rates
USDA announced adjustments in SFSP payments for meals served during calendar year 2023. The rates are presented as a combined set of rates based on separate operating and administrative rates of reimbursement, each of which are adjusted differently for inflation. SFSP reimbursement is based solely on a “meals multiplied by rate” calculation. To view the combined rates, click here.
School-Appointed School Nutrition Director Hiring Requirements for Sponsors Using Food Service Management Company
Sponsors utilizing a food service management company, vendor, or educational service center for the role of the school nutrition director, must internally appoint a school nutrition director to maintain oversight of the School Nutrition Programs. When hiring a school nutrition director, there are minimum hiring requirements set by USDA. If the school nutrition director duties are equally shared between multiple people, then all individuals sharing responsibilities must meet the USDA hiring standards. The school nutrition director must:
- Maintain oversight and responsibility for the school nutrition program
- Provide on-site assistance
- Meet hiring standards based on enrollment - hiring standards differ based on sponsor enrollment size. As enrollment increases, program demands and complexity follow. Thus, minimum requirements are more stringent for larger districts.
- Meet annual training requirements
- Maintain food safety certification
All school appointed directors must be submitted to the state for review of compliance prior to or upon appointment. Directors hired by the FSMC, vendor, and/or educational service center will be assessed during the Administrative Review Process. For further information, please view this fact sheet.
Start Preparing Now for the USDA Foods Annual Pre-Order (Forecast) Survey
The USDA Foods annual pre-order survey is anticipated to open on Tuesday, January 24, at 9 a.m. ET. In case of delay, the delay information will be available in CNPweb under the FDP link on the welcome screen. More information regarding the annual pre-order survey is forthcoming. To find tips and suggestions for choosing USDA Foods for the 2023-2024 school year, click here.
Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in School Meals Programs: Presented by the Food and Nutrition Service Civil Rights Division
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When: Wednesday, February 8, at 11 a.m. ET
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Where: This one-hour session will be held virtually, via Webex.
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Registration: Registration is required, and any local educational agency (LEA) registering must be approved by IDOE. Please register no later than 24 hours in advance to ensure you receive an attendee link. To register, click here.
Farm to School Subgrant
IDOE will be awarding Farm to School subgrants with the purpose of increasing the use of local proteins in Indiana school and childcare center cafeterias. Applications will be made at the site-level, and funding will be available in predetermined amounts for specific equipment, including chef knives, cutting boards, thermometers, and vacuum sealers. Applicants can also submit original project proposals for their farm to school activities. Subgrants are structured to be easily accessible, and IDOE encourages all sites, including those new to farm to school, to apply. Applications will be accepted through Friday, February 17, at 5 p.m. ET. Full instructions, including a link to the application, can be found here.
Please also join us Thursday, February 9, at 2 p.m. ET for a webinar on procuring local proteins and a brief introduction to the subgrants available. (registration coming soon) For questions, please contact Hanna Cahalan.
Indiana Department of Health: Call for Letters of Interest
The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity is applying for a competitive grant provided by the Centers for Disease Control and is calling for letters of interest from schools to participate in the Indiana Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) funding opportunity. If IDOH is awarded this grant, one priority LEA would receive up to $100,000 per year for five years for school wellness initiatives. To be eligible, LEAs must have a SY 2022-2023 total enrollment of at least 1,000 students and a SY 2022-2023 free and reduced lunch rate of approximately 60% or higher. Letters of interest must be emailed to Jenna Sperry at jsperry@health.in.gov and Emma Smythe at esmythe@health.in.gov by Wednesday, January 25, at 5 p.m. ET. Click here for more information and requirements.
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