Inventory Check
Now is a great time to review inventory on hand. Make sure inventory is rotated regularly (first in, first out) and no expired items are on hand. Also check inventory of USDA foods that need to be ordered and plan the menu around items in stock at the warehouse to ensure they are used and to avoid storage fees.
Team Nutrition Grant Trainings Update
A new section of training presentations on menu planning has been released for directors and managers. Directors and managers are welcome to begin working on these modules. Please keep in mind that not all 40 hours of manager and director courses have been released yet. This means that only frontline staff should be submitting the training completion form to IDOE at this time. We will notify via this newsletter when new sections of courses are released. If you are a frontline staff member who has completed all eight hours of required training, make sure you submit the Training Completion Form. Next steps will be sent to all who have completed the form in the coming weeks. Please review our frequently asked questions (FAQs) or contact the Team Nutrition Training Grant team with questions.
FDP 2.0 Update
Due to unforeseen circumstances, IDOE is postponing the FDP 2.0 rollout until further notice. Schools should continue to complete food distribution program transactions such as placing USDA Foods orders, annual pre-order surveys, and inventory management in CNPweb. IDOE will notify schools via this newsletter, and the CNPweb update and message screen when FDP 2.0 goes live.
Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program
It’s time to submit your school’s DoD Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program allocation request for school year (SY) 2024-2025. Schools must complete the form that applies to the appropriate School Food Authority. The deadline for submission is Friday, December 15, at 5 p.m. ET. DoD allocations are deducted from your school’s USDA Foods entitlement before the annual pre-order survey opens.
Click here if your school is on the DoD program for SY 2023-2024.
Click here if your school is not on the DoD program for SY 2023-2024.
For more information on the DoD Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, please visit the IDOE DoD Fresh Website, view IDOE’s three-part DoD series in Moodle, and/or review the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) and DoD Fresh comparison chart. Contact Cheryl Moore with questions.
Holidays and E-Learning Day USDA Foods Orders
Please remember that it is mandatory to have school staff available to inspect, verify and accept all USDA Foods orders that are placed. This is especially important for orders placed during e-learning days, school breaks and holidays. State-assigned warehouses Dilgard Frozen Foods, McFarling Foods, Stanz Foodservice and Wabash Foods are contracted to deliver Direct Delivered (Brown Box) USDA Foods to schools between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. local school time.
Direct Certification (DC) Refresher Trainings
Join IDOE for refresher trainings on the DC system. Those new to the process and those who didn’t join the presentations at the start of the year are encouraged to attend.
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DC Basics Refresher: Wednesday, January 17, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET. Register here.
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DC Processing Possible Matches Webinar: Thursday, January 18, 1 p.m. to 2 pm. ET. Register here.
Team Nutrition Incentivized Training
As a part of the 2022 Team Nutrition grant, IDOE is offering 40 hours of free virtual training for directors and managers, and eight hours of free training for frontline staff. Training topics include meal pattern, components and dietary specifications, menu planning, food preparation, procurement, and more. The training for frontline staff is available in English, Spanish, and Hakha Chin. All training is housed in Moodle, so it is easy and free to access.
The first 250 frontline staff who complete eight hours of training by May will be awarded $100. The first 250 directors and 250 managers who complete 40 hours of training by May will be awarded $500. Additionally, participants will be eligible for school nutrition promotion packages and directors who complete the training will be eligible for subgrants for their programs.
All training hours for frontline staff are available now. Employees can begin at any time and each employee must do the training individually to be eligible. Several modules of the 40 hour training are available for directors and managers to begin taking now. Please review the instructions for accessing and completing the training and read through the FAQ .
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USDA Farm to School Census Due Sunday, December 31
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has contracted with Decision Information Resources (DIR) and Mathematica to conduct the 2023 Farm to School Census with all sponsors that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) nationwide. An email was sent on Monday, October 2, from Farm2SchoolCensus@dir-online.com with a link to the census and instructions. When completing the census, provide information about your school food authority (SFA) for school year 2022-2023. The census will be open through Sunday, December 31, 2023. It is important that all SFAs participate, regardless of their participation in farm to school activities. Please email the project team or call toll-free at 866-986-2230 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET with any questions.
No Kid Hungry Webinar
During "Connecting Over Food: Breakfast After the Bell & Other Tools for Reducing Chronic Absenteeism", attendees will hear how relationship building is critical for improving attendance and student engagement, and how serving breakfast can contribute to relationships between students and adults at school while helping to create a welcoming, positive climate for students, families, and school staff. The webinar will take place on Thursday, December 14, at 2:30 p.m. ET. Learn more and register here.
Nutrition Education Resources from American Dairy Association Indiana (ADAI)
Looking for nutrition education resources? The National Dairy Council Fuel Up Learning Plan includes free downloadable resources aligned with National Health Education Standards. Each of the 4 units includes a lesson plan, activities and assignments, handouts, and vocabulary. Topics such as environmentally sustainable agriculture practices, how foods relate to gut health, and the connection between wellness and the practice of healthy eating are highlighted. There is something for everyone! Learn more here.
Upcoming Dates |
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Thursday, December 14, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
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Connecting Over Food: Breakfast After the Bell & Other Tools for Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
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Friday, December 15, at 5 p.m. ET
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SY 2024-2025 DoD Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program allocation request due
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Sunday, December 31
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USDA Farm to School Census due
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Tuesday, January 2
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October 2023 claim deadline
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Wednesday, January 17, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET.
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DC Basics Refresher
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Thursday, January 18, 1 p.m. to 2 pm. ET.
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DC Processing Possible Matches Webinar
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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