Weekly Meal Pattern Requirements
Minimum weekly meal pattern requirements must be met for all components, including grain, meat/meat alternate, vegetable subgroups, fruit, and milk.
When calculating weekly meal pattern amounts for grain, for instance, choose the grain offering with the lowest offered ounce equivalent each day of the week. For example, if a grain choice, offered daily, is one ounce equivalent of grain, the maximum grains a student will receive if they choose this option is five ounce equivalents of grain for the week. That amount is not enough to meet the weekly requirements for any grade grouping.
Additionally, ensure each meal serving line and entree choice allows students to select all of the vegetable subgroups in the minimum weekly serving amounts. For instance, an entree salad that does not meet the weekly vegetable subgroup requirements must allow for a student to select additional vegetables as part of the reimbursable meal.
Similarly, each meal serving line must meet the minimum weekly meal pattern requirements for all components. When students can go through the same line each day, each line must offer full component serving sizes, including vegetable subgroups, for the week.
Food Distribution Program Invoices
IDOE has begun to process Food Distribution Program invoices. Administrative Fees are charged to schools at $3.75 per case for direct delivered (brown box) and one cent per pound for direct diverted (processed) USDA Foods through December. Most schools should see an offset by way of invoice credits uploaded for the year. Invoices for Excess Storage Fees have been generated for one month so far. Deductions from claims will be processed beginning on Thursday, February 16, through the end of the year.
To learn more about USDA Foods program fees, click here.
USDA Foods Annual Pre-order (Forecast) Survey Now Open
The annual pre-order (forecast) survey is now open through Friday, March 10, at 4 p.m. ET. The annual pre-order (forecast) survey must be completed in the FDP link in CNPweb. Once the survey closes, it cannot be reopened.
New for School Year 2023-2024
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Annual Pre-order (Forecast) Survey Toolkit - Click here to access the toolkit, located in the blue alert box in the middle of the page. The toolkit includes a training webinar, USDA Foods material prices and list of available foods, worksheets, and more!
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Changes to direct delivered item availability - Due to significant direct delivered cheese losses, IDOE will only offer direct delivered (Brown Box) cheeses in September, November, and January. This change is reflected on the annual pre-order survey.
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New direct delivered items - New items include 100119 - Turkey Taco Filling, Cooked, Frozen and 110721 ‐ Sweet Potatoes, Crinkle Cut Fries, Frozen.
February Webinars from IDOE
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Direct Certification Overview and Reminders - With specific time allowed for the explanation of Medicaid benefits!
- Thursday, February 23, at 2 p.m. ET.
- Register here.
Virtual Culinary Skills for A+ Meals is back!
Join Chef Cathy Powers for virtual Culinary Skills for A+ Meals training from the comfort of your own kitchen! Throughout 2023, Cathy and team will lead cafeteria staff through specific skills for the topic of the week. The virtual trainings will take place from 1 to 2:15 p.m. ET. Training will feature live chef demonstrations, efficient techniques, and important nutritional insights.
Choose from 20 topics to enhance culinary skills and learn tips and tricks from the pros. Each class earns 1.25 training hours and includes great giveaways and plenty of time to ask questions! For more information and to register, click here. Contact Cathy Powers with questions.
Nominations for the School Food Service Employee of the Year Due Wednesday, March 8
Help IDOE recognize school food service employees who contribute significantly to the health and learning capabilities of students by nominating them for the IDOE 2023 School Food Service Employee of the Year Award. This award was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of school food service employees who excel in the areas of customer service, attitude, professionalism, and teamwork.
Submit your nomination by Wednesday, March 8. Questions? Contact Suzette Hartman.
Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Open for Comment
Based on the latest nutrition science and extensive feedback from school meals partners, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is proposing updates to the school nutrition standards in a few key areas to give children the right balance of nutrients for healthy and appealing meals. The proposed updates reflect the goals of the most recent Dietary Guidelines, as required by law, and build in time for planning and implementation to ensure the school meals community and the children they serve are set up for success.
Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is open for comment until Monday, April 10. Comments may be submitted in writing by one of the following methods:
- Online (preferred) - Visit https://www.regulations.gov, and follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
- Mail - Send comments to:
School Meals Policy Division, Food and Nutrition Service
P.O. Box 9233
Reston, Virginia, 20195
All written comments submitted in response to this proposed rule will be included in the record and will be made available to the public at https://www.regulations.gov. Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public disclosure.
FNS is hosting a webinar for schools focused on the proposed rule. The webinar Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will be held on Tuesday, February 21, at 2 p.m. ET. Click here to register.
DIG IN to School Breakfast
School Breakfast Week is coming Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10, and to help celebrate, IDOE has compiled the following list of celebration ideas! As a reminder, sponsors entering the School Breakfast Week Challenge must incorporate one special celebration idea. To learn more about the School Breakfast Week, click here.
Farm to School Subgrant - Deadline Coming Soon
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.
For questions, please contact Hanna Cahalan.
2023 School Nutrition Association (SNA) Awards
SNA is now accepting nominations for outstanding school nutrition professionals. Award categories include Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Director of the Year.
The SNA Awards program highlights the outstanding and important work of SNA members and state affiliates. Members and state associations are eligible for a variety of honors that recognize their achievements in school foodservice, leadership, membership recruitment, and professional development.
For more information, click here.
Upcoming Dates |
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Friday, February 17
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Deadline to Submit School Breakfast Week Challenge Jotform
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Friday, February 17
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Farm to School Subgrant Application Due
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Tuesday, February 21,
at 2 p.m. ET
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Proposed Rule Webinar for Schools
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Thursday, February 23,
at 2 p.m. ET.
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February Webinar from IDOE: Direct Certification Overview and Reminders. Register here.
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Wednesday, March 1
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December Claim Deadline
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Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10
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School Breakfast Week
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Wednesday, March 8
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Food Service Employee of the Year nominations due
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Friday, March 10
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USDA Foods Annual Pre-order (Forecast) Survey Closes
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