Charging Policy Updates
Summer is a great time to review and update your local charging procedure and bad debt policy. Resources for the charging procedure and bad debt policy can be found on IDOE’s Financial Management webpage. Contact SCNFinance@doe.in.gov with questions.
Income Application for Meal Benefits
USDA recently released a revised prototype application and instructions for school year (SY) 2023-2024. IDOE has updated the free and reduced application prototype, and approval from the State Board of Accounts is pending. Once the Indiana version is approved, we will post online and notify everyone via this newsletter.
Reminders for applications:
- Applications must be submitted in the current program year to be eligible for benefits. Applications distributed and processed prior to Saturday, July 1, would only be applicable for program year 2023.
- With the release of the new prototype application, please ensure online applications meet the requirements as well.
- Meal benefit applications for the new program year cannot be distributed until Saturday, July 1. Schools may opt to release the application later than Saturday, July 1, but not before.
- Distributing applications for kindergarten roundup in SY 2023-2024 enrollment packets or via online systems is unallowable prior to Saturday, July 1.
- Please see the school nutrition newsletter distributed Wednesday, May 17, for guidance on late in the year applications as they relate to textbook assistance.
Team Nutrition Child Nutrition (CN) Label Quiz
Test how much you know about CN labels with Team Nutrition’s latest web quiz! The Child Nutrition Label Quiz helps operators identify products that may need a CN label and understand the requirements for accepting CN-labeled products. The quiz consists of 10 self-paced questions that provide feedback for correct and incorrect answers. The user has the opportunity to retake the quiz and retry the questions as many times as desired. This quiz was created to support the information found in the CN Labeling Program and Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs.
This quiz is the newest addition to Team Nutrition Quizzes, which cover a variety of nutrition and nutrition program-related topics.
USDA Foods Surplus is Available for Dilgard and McFarling State-Assigned Warehouses
IDOE is in the process of clearing USDA Foods out of state-assigned warehouses. USDA Foods surplus is available for school sponsors on the Food Distribution Program. If your school is interested in attempting to retrieve surplus items, please navigate to CNPweb under the FDP link, and then click the Add Surplus button listed under the Allocations tab to see if surplus USDA Foods are still available.
End of Year Reminders
As we approach the end of the school year, here are some end-of-year reminders, including important dates and deadlines school sponsors should follow for effective USDA Foods inventory management and use of Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables allocations and entitlement funds.
Direct Delivered USDA Foods and DoD Funds Will Be Lost After Friday, June 30
Now is the time to remove USDA Foods from the state-assigned warehouses and processors, as well as spend USDA DoD Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program funds before Friday, June 30. USDA Foods are intended to be utilized during the school year allocated. IDOE will sweep all Direct Delivered (Brown Box) USDA Foods from school inventories as of Friday, June 30.
Meal Benefit Application Walkthrough and New School Year Preparation
Join IDOE to review the new meal benefit prototype application and steps to take prior to the start of the new program year on Saturday, July 1.
Tuesday, June 20, at 10 a.m. ET - Register here!
Coming Soon: Free and Reduced Information Training Series
IDOE will host a Free and Reduced Information Training series starting in July. The series will include both application and direct certification presentations. More information and registration links will be released soon.
2022-2023 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program School of the Year
On Tuesday, May 23, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) School of the Year Award was presented to Parker Elementary School of New Castle Community School Corporation by IDOE.
The food service department received a framed certificate and aprons printed with the FFVP School of the Year logo from IDOE. Piazza Produce provided a check for $250.
Dee Orick, director of food and nutrition services for the corporation, and Principal Lora Wilson, nominated Parker Elementary School for the award. Wilson stated the food service program has been steadfast in finding unique fruits and vegetables to present to the students. Orick added the staff and faculty have been great cheerleaders for the program.
This is the sixth year IDOE has sponsored the FFVP School of the Year award, which recognizes schools for creating a healthier school environment by providing fresh fruits and vegetables to students.
Parker Elementary School cafeteria staff pictured with Dee Orick, food service director.
Safer Communities Act: Stronger Connections Grant
Grant funding is available to expand upon and maintain alignment with the goals and purposes of Title IV, Part A, Focus Area B, Safe and Healthy Schools. Schools can request up to $400,000 in funding. Applications are due Saturday, July 15. To learn more, and to apply, click here. This funding will in no way impact past, current, or future Title IV, A funding. Note: LEAs must be Title I-eligible and meet at least one of the following “high need” criteria:
Safe
- High rates of absenteeism
- High rates of exclusionary discipline
- High rates of referrals to the juvenile justice system
- High incurrences of bullying and harassment
- High rates of community and/or school violence
Healthy
- Low community or school access to mental health supports
- Low access to nurses/nursing staff
- Disproportionate ratio of mental health professionals to students and/or community
- High or increased rates of suicide ideation
- High community and/or school rates of substance abuse
No Kid Hungry CEP Calculator
No Kid Hungry offers a CEP Calculator to assist school nutrition sponsors with making sound financial decisions related to CEP.
The CEP Calculator enables school nutrition staff to:
- Compare side-by-side expected annual revenue under both CEP and standard NSLP (standard counting and claiming)
- Compare side-by-side each school’s expected annual revenue under both CEP and standard NSLP
- Customize the financial analysis by manipulating expected breakfast and lunch participation rates by school, and see the impacts on revenue in real-time
- Optimize revenue with CEP by using strategic grouping, powered by the CEP grouping tool, Meals Count. It’s built right into the calculator!
For help with troubleshooting calculator-related issues, contact Paige Pokorney. For CEP eligibility questions contact your field specialist.
Indiana School Nutrition Association (ISNA) Industry Summit
Join ISNA for an exciting two days of all things school nutrition on Thursday, June 15, and Friday, June 16, in Bloomington. Don't miss this opportunity for tailored professional development and networking to benefit both school nutrition operators and industry partners! For registration and meeting agenda, click here.
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