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July 15, 2019
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.
Reminder for CLiCS (Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System) Users
Nutrition program staff should not share CLiCS User IDs and passwords. Since CLiCS includes application and claims information, it is important to remove old users when they no longer need access. Please complete the updated CLiCS User ID request form to add and delete users.
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Upcoming CACFP Trainings
CACFP Infant Meal Pattern Webinar – July 17, 2019, from 1 to 2 p.m.
This live webinar provides sponsors information about the Infant Meal Pattern and how to credit offered infant meals and snacks.
Feeding Infants in the CACFP Webinar – August 7, 2019, from 1 to 2 p.m.
This live webinar provides sponsors with documentation tools to meet CACFP requirements and have effective conversations with staff and parents about infant feeding.
View all CACFP training opportunities at the CACFP for Centers Training page.
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Brighton e-Learning Modules for Implementing CACFP Meal Patterns
There are five new CACFP e-Learning modules for meal patterns and menu planning available on the MDE Brighton Training webpage. The modules take about 60 minutes per course, but you can pause or stop the video and pick it up later at the same place. The Brighton Training Group specializes in providing interactive nutrition program e-Learning modules. MDE contracted with Brighton to make these interactive, self-paced trainings available for Minnesota CACFP sponsors.
Because the Brighton modules are unlike any of our previous CACFP video trainings, start with the Quick Start Guide for instructions on creating a Brighton user account. Then review the Course Walk Through which explains course navigation.
These five Brighton modules for CACFP are only available for the next year, so be sure to take advantage of them! After one year, we will make another set of five new Brighton modules available.
The e-Learning modules include the following:
- Healthy Food Preparation Techniques and CACFP Menu Planning
- Nutrition Basics for Better CACFP Menu Planning
- A CACFP Meal Pattern Guide
- A CACFP Infant Meal Pattern Guide
- All Aboard The Whole Grain Express!
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA's) CACFP Meal Service Training Grant (MSTG), provides the funding for these Brighton e-Learning modules for CACFP.
For assistance with questions, contact Gloria Vellinga.
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Resources for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs – Now Available in Spanish
The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems recently released Spanish translations of two resources for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) programs:
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Local Food for Little Eaters: A Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Guide to Local Food Purchasing. This guide provides step-by-step instructions and interactive tools for programs purchasing and using local foods.
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Farm to Migrant and Seasonal Head Start in Action. This resource highlights MSHS programs nationwide that reflect and celebrate the cultures of children and families they engage, through the use of local foods.
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New: Buy American Fact Sheet
The USDA published a new resource for school meals program operators on the Buy American Provision – the provision in the National School Lunch Act which requires School Food Authorities (SFAs) to purchase, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic commodities or products. View the Buy American Fact Sheet.
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Funding Opportunity for Community Initiatives to Advance Health Equity
Application Deadline: Friday, August 23, 2019, at 1 p.m.
The Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota has announced a second round of catalyst funding, designed to ignite innovation and advance health equity. They are seeking to fund projects between $5,000 to $25,000 that lead to sustainable community health changes related to the Center for Prevention’s core issue areas: increasing access to physical activity, increasing access to healthy eating, and decreasing commercial tobacco use.
To learn more about the funding opportunity and application guidelines, go to the Blue Cross Blue Shield “Catalyst Funding Initiative” webpage.
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Save the Date: October is Farm to School Month!
Mark your calendars and start procuring local foods! October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connections that are happening all over the state between schools and local food! There are plenty of ways to celebrate and get involved. To learn more, visit the University of Minnesota Extension's Farm to School Month webpage and MDE’s farm to school webpage.
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Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) Conference – August 4-7, 2019
Join the MSNA for their annual statewide conference August 4-7, 2019, at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, MN. To learn more about this training opportunity and register, visit MSNA’s website.
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Webinars and Conference Calls from Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
Register now for upcoming conference calls and webinars hosted by FRAC:
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Afterschool Meals Matter Conference Call: Back to School, Back to Afterschool Meals: Getting Started and Maximizing Participation
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Summer Meals Matter Conference Call: Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Participation in August
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Afterschool Meals Matter Conference Call: Improving Meal Quality and Reducing Waste
See the Events email from FRAC for full details about these upcoming opportunities.
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