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Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.
Upcoming CACFP Training Opportunities
CACFP Basic Training provides an introduction to the CACFP program, and is great for new center staff. Upcoming in-person 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.
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Child Nutrition Program Eligibility Guidelines for School Year 2019-20
The Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines are used in determining eligibility for free and reduced price meals and free milk. The Federal Register Notice announcing the guidelines for the period from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, was published on March 20, 2019. Access the Federal Register Notice guidelines in PDF format.
Upcoming School Nutrition Program Training Opportunities
All training opportunities are listed on the School Nutrition's Training and Professional Standards webpage.
Tuesdays @ 2 Webinars
- UFARS and School Nutrition (April 2, 2019, at 2 p.m.)
- Special Milk Program and Minnesota Kindergarten Milk Program (April 9, 2019, at 2 p.m.)
- Food Safety: Cooling Procedures (April 16, 2019, at 2 p.m.)
Access further information and registration for Tuesdays @ 2 webinars.
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School Nutrition Program Training Updates
School Lunch Scramble
The June School Lunch Scramble event will be not be held this summer.
August Back to School Workshop!
Mark your calendar for August 13-14, 2019 for School Nutrition Program training sessions on the topics such as the Meal Pattern, Offer versus Serve, Applications for Educational Benefits Approval, Counting and Claiming, and more! Sessions will be held in multiple locations across the state via the blended learning method. More information regarding topics and locations will be available via this School Nutrition Program Bulletin and on the School Nutrition Program Training page toward the middle of May 2019.
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2019-20 Renewal of Contracts for Vended Meals and Food Service Management Contracts
Updated templates for renewing vended meals contracts and food service management contracts for the 2019-20 school year are available on the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) website.
Here is some general information about renewing both vended meals and food service management contracts in the 2019-20 school year, for School Food Authorities (SFAs):
- A current contract for vended meals may be renewed for school year 2019-20 if both parties agree to renew and the contract has not already been in effect for five years (the original contract plus four one-year renewals).
- 2019-20 meal prices or administrative fees in contracts may increase up to 2.5 percent of 2018-19 prices or fees. The percentage is based on the Consumer Price Index for food away from home in the Midwest region as of December 2018.
How to Renew Vended Meals Contracts for 2019-20 School Year:
- Complete the 2019-20 SNP Renewal of Contract for Vended Meals.
- Complete a Reconciliation of Credits for USDA Foods form, or equivalent documentation, to show that the SFA received full credits through U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution program for the current contract year.
- Upload the two completed documents – the Renewal of Contract for Vended Meals form, and the Reconciliation of Credits for USDA Foods form – into the “2019-20 SNP Application” tab in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS), when the application opens in May 2019.
How to Renew Food Service Management Contracts for 2019-20 School Year:
- Complete the 2019-20 Renewal of Food Service Management Contract template.
- Complete a Reconciliation of Credits for USDA Foods form to show that the school food authority has or will receive full credits for USDA Foods during the current contract year. For a fixed-price contract, the credits must reduce the total amount due to the company for the current year. For a cost-reimbursable contract, the credits show the amount that USDA Foods have reduced the company’s reimbursable costs during the current year.
- Email the two completed documents – the 2019-20 Renewal of Food Service Management Contract and the Reconciliation of Credits for USDA Foods form – to fsmc@state.mn.us. Indicate in the subject line that the message is for renewal of a contract.
Allow up to two weeks for MDE staff to review the contract information and notify you if the contract renewal has been approved or not. If we determine that the contract may not be renewed, the school food authority must competitively procure a new food service management contract for the 2019-20 school year.
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School Breakfast Program: Substitution of Vegetables for Fruit
Effective immediately, school food authorities (SFAs) participating in the School Breakfast Program may credit any vegetable offered, including potatoes and other starchy vegetables, in place of fruit without including vegetables from other subgroups in the weekly menus. This flexibility is effective through September 30, 2019. This provision provides additional flexibility in planning breakfast menus but does not require SFAs to make any menu changes. Read full USDA School Breakfast Program memo.
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National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Grants
USDA recently announced the allocation of $30 million in new equipment grant funding to state agencies. The Minnesota Department of Education will receive $403,904 of these funds, and will begin a new equipment grant application process in fall 2019.
These grants will be awarded to SFAs on a competitive basis, with priority given to high-needs schools, in order to purchase equipment that improves: the quality of school meals, the safety of food served in school meal programs, the overall energy efficiency of school foodservice operations, or participation in school meals. Read the full USDA NSLP memo for more details.
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