Meal Pattern
As menu planners start to make plans for next school year, it’s a great time to brush up on the meal pattern requirements. The School Nutrition section of Moodle houses training modules for all areas of focus.
For meal pattern and menu planning, the following courses are available:
- Breakfast Meal Pattern
- Lunch Meal Pattern
- Crediting
- Special Dietary Needs
Equipment Grant Award Notifications Delayed
Due to the immediate deadline for claim adjustments resulting from the recently discovered bug in the Direct Certification system, equipment grant award notifications have been delayed. Award notifications are now anticipated to be sent by Friday, March 17. Questions can be sent to SCNfinance@doe.in.gov. Please include "Equipment Grant" in the subject line.
March is National Nutrition Month!
Celebrate National Nutrition Month by focusing on the nutrition education goals written into your local wellness policy, promoting nutrient dense foods, and by celebrating School Breakfast Week from Monday, March 6, through Friday, March 10.Culinary Skills for A+ School Meals virtual training is a great way to learn about the importance of the nutrition offered in school meals and how to apply new cooking methods, efficient shortcuts, and exciting recipes into your school’s menu. Click here for webinar topics and registration information. Each class provides 1.25 continuing education units, includes great giveaways, and leaves plenty of time to ask questions!
USDA Foods Annual Pre-order (Forecast) Survey Closes Next Friday, March 10
The annual pre-order (forecast) survey must be completed in the FDP link in CNPweb. Once the survey closes, it cannot be reopened. The survey must be submitted by 4 p.m. ET.
USDA Foods Annual Pre-order (Forecast) Survey Reminders
- The survey must be completed in order to receive USDA Foods for school year 2023-2024.
- Click the submit button as you enter your USDA Foods choices as well as when the final entry is made to ensure your school’s USDA Foods choices have been saved.
- There will be no message confirming submission of the survey.
- It is recommended that schools print a copy of their saved survey for their records.
Rich Products Corporation No Longer Offering 100193 Pork Picnic
Rich Products Corporation is no longer offering 100193 pork picnic. If your school allocated pounds to Rich Products Corporation under the raw products button on the school year 2023-2024 annual pre-order survey, please remove them and reallocate those entitlement dollars to other pork picnic processors or other USDA Foods survey offerings.
March National Nutrition Month Webinars
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Culinary Skills for A+ School Meals Presents Whole Grains at Breakfast - Think beyond the bread when providing whole grains at breakfast. In this training. learn about a variety of options for healthy, delicious whole grain breakfast items, including both savory and sweet offerings.
- Thursday, March 2, at 1 p.m. ET
- Register here.
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Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) - Join this webinar from the IDOH Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity to hear about school nutrition environment best practices and farm to school opportunities.
- Wednesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. ET
- Register here.
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Purdue Nutrition Education Program (NEP) - Listen in and learn how Purdue NEP can help schools meet their nutrition education goals! They will provide an overview of the programs they offer to schools.
- Wednesday, March 15, at 2 p.m. ET
- Register here.
New Resources from Team Nutrition and the Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition (CICN)
Team Nutrition, in partnership with CICN, is excited to share new resources! The CICN is the division of the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) that provides school nutrition professionals with in-depth, hands-on culinary training and resources that are foundational for scratch-based cooking and the creation of culinary-inspired school meals that are healthy, flavorful, and student-approved.
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.
No Kid Hungry Level Up Roadshow
Join No Kid Hungry Indiana to discuss strategies on marketing, stakeholder buy-in, and culinary skills. During this day-long training, participants will learn how to:
- Market their program in a tech-savvy world;
- Obtain stakeholder buy-in;
- Involve students in school meals;
- Take visually-appealing school meal photos;
- Create an enticing serving line;
- Menu culturally responsive foods to reach your community; and
- Implement food theme days with a focus on the bottom line.
Training will be offered on Tuesday, April 4, at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, as well as Thursday, April 6, at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. Register here.
Upcoming Dates |
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Wednesday, March 1
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December Claim Deadline
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Thursday, March 2, at 1 p.m. ET
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Culinary Skills for A+ School Meals Presents Whole Grains at Breakfast
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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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Wednesday, March 8, at 2 p.m. ET
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Indiana Department of Health Webinar
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Friday, March 10
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USDA Foods Annual Pre-order (Forecast) Survey Closes
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Wednesday, March 15, at 2 p.m. ET
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Purdue Nutrition Education Program Webinar
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