Nutrition Program Updates for the Week of March 4, 2019

department of education

Nutrition Program Updates for the Week of March 4, 2019

Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.


Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP)

CACFP New Resources and Updates

Team Nutrition educational materials: Team Nutrition’s popular “Grow It, Try It, Like It! nutrition education materials have been updated and customized for use by family child care homes. 

This garden-themed curriculum is for children ages 3 through 5. CACFP operators will be able to request printed copies this spring. But, if you'd like to receive them now, you can download the resources.

Grow It, Try It, Like It - USDA Team Nutrition resource

 

Infant Menu Recordkeeping Form: To improve the efficiency of infant room recordkeeping, we have created an Infant Menu Record that can be posted at your site as a monthly or weekly form.

Grain Product Portion Guide: The Grain Product Portion Guide lists the minimum required portion sizes for commonly served grain items available in retail stores, including whole grain-rich foods.

 

CACFP Compliance Check

Centers and day care homes must document the type of milk served on their menus. This includes listing the fat content (e.g., whole, low-fat/1 percent, or fat-free/skim), and if the milk is flavored. (See USDA Memo CACFP 17-2016 for more details.)

Milk options for the CACFP now allows flavored, low-fat (1%) milk for participants age 6 and older (including adults in adult care centers). (See USDA Memo CACFP 13-2018 for more details.)

 

Upcoming CACFP Training Opportunities 

This CACFP in-person training provides an introduction to the CACFP program, and is great for new center staff. Upcoming training dates are:

  • April 17, 2019 (8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Duluth
  • July 25, 2019 (8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) Roseville

Access further information and registration for CACFP Basic Training.

 

Celebrate National CACFP Week – March 17-23, 2019

CACFP week is a national education and information campaign sponsored annually by the National CACFP Sponsors Association, designed to raise awareness and support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). A CACFP Week Toolkit with sample flyers, newsletters, logos, and social media posts is available on the National CACFP Week webpage to help CACFP sponsors spread the word about the nutritious meal and snack programs provided by their organizations.

Thank you to all CACFP sponsors and staff for all that you do to provide healthy food to CACFP participants across Minnesota!

 


School Nutrition Programs

Upcoming School Nutrition Program Training Opportunities

All training opportunities are listed on the School Nutrition's Training and Professional Standards webpage.

Tuesdays @ 2 Webinars

  • Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (March 5, 2019, at 2 p.m.)
  • Local Wellness Policy – Triennial Assessments (March 12, 2019, at 2 p.m.)
  • Managing a Meal Contract (March 19, 2019, at 2 p.m.)

Access further information and registration for Tuesdays @ 2 webinars.

 


Opportunities From Our Partners

Native Youth and Culture Fund Grant Opportunity

The First Nations Development Institute is offering grants to tribal governments, Native nonprofits, or Native community organizations that work on youth projects focused on preserving, strengthening or renewing cultural and traditional practices. The grants are for work happening in rural and reservation-based communities. This could be a great opportunity to incorporate traditional Native foods into your Child Nutrition Program’s meals and snacks, within a Farm to School or Early Care and Education program.

A total of 20 one-year grants between $5,000 and $19,500 are available. The deadline to apply is March 12, 2019. More information and application can be found on the Native Youth and Culture Fund Grant Opportunity webpage.

 

March is National Nutrition Month! 

The National Nutrition Month (NNM) campaign is celebrated each year during the month of March.  NNM is a great opportunity for nutrition and foodservice professionals to focus on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a number of great resources to help you celebrate and spread the message of healthy eating with students and adults. The resources include coloring pages, crossword puzzles, tip sheets, and more. Access the National Nutrition Month resources. Happy eating!

 

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Halftime Webinar

Join USDA Team Nutrition on Thursday, March 21, 2019, for the training webinar on, “Identifying Whole Grain-Rich Foods in the CACFP, Part 2.”

 

Mini-Grants for "Every Kid Healthy" Week: April 22-26, 2019

Action for Healthy Kids' seventh annual Every Kid Healthy™ Week is happening April 22-26, 2019. This special week shines a spotlight on the great efforts schools are making to improve the health and wellness of their students and the link between nutrition, physical activity, and learning. Visit the Every Kid Healthy Week website for more details on how to participate, including ideas, toolkits, and resources.

Minnesota Action for Healthy Kids has up to ten $200 mini-grants available for schools interested in hosting an Every Kid Week event during the month of April. The simple online application is due Friday, March 15, at 3 p.m. Apply for Minnesota Every Kid Healthy Week Mini-Grant.

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