Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of October 7
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you are interested in by clicking the link.
Help Shape the Future of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Website
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) wants to hear from you about how we can improve our website to better meet your needs. We're planning a series of online and in-person sessions where you can provide feedback during the months of October and November – including listening sessions, website usability testing sessions, and one-on-one calls.
If you’re interested in participating in a focus group conversation to share your ideas about how we can improve the FNS section of the MDE website, please complete the FNS Website User Research Interest Survey. This work is being funded by a USDA grant.
Please contact brandon.tice@state.mn.us if you have any questions about this project.
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New USDA Memo: Smoothies Offered in Child Nutrition Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently released an updated seven-page memo that provides guidance on how smoothies, including commercially prepared smoothies, credit toward meal pattern requirements. For more information, see the Smoothies Offered in Child Nutrition Programs Memo (SP 40-2019, CACFP 17-2019, SFSP 17-2019).
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Indianhead Foodservice Distributors (IFD)
A recent business decision implemented by one of Minnesota’s prime vendor distributors has impacted a number of school food authorities. Due to a critical labor issue, Indianhead Foodservice Distributors (IFD) has released some sponsors from their USDA Foods National School Lunch distribution service contracts as well as their prime vendor distribution. If you have any concerns about an existing contract with IFD please do not hesitate to contact our office. We can provide assistance regarding USDA Foods delivery and/or securing a new prime vendor. Continue to monitor the Nutrition Bulletin for updates regarding this matter and/or call our offices at 651-582-8526 if you have any questions.
New USDA Memos for SNP
Below are new memos from the USDA that clarify aspects of meal nutrition requirements, and other aspects of the program:
Questions and Answers on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently released a six-page memo that provides guidance on using flexibilities for milk, whole grains and sodium requirements. For more information, read the Questions and Answers on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements Memo (SP 37-2019, CACFP 16-2019).
Meal Requirements under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Questions and Answers for Program Operators
The USDA FNS recently released a 43-page memo that provides updated guidance on school year 2019-20 meal requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Learn more about the Meal Requirements under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Questions and Answers for Program Operators Memo (SP 38-2019).
Clarification on the Milk and Water Requirements in the School Meal Programs
The USDA FNS recently released an updated two-page memo that explains that water made available to students in the NSLP and SBP shall not compete with the milk requirement. Review the Clarification on the Milk and Water Requirements in the School Meal Programs Memo (SP 39-2019).
Salad Bars in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
The USDA FNS recently released an eight-page memo that provides information on how to effectively improve the service of reimbursable meals using salad bars. For more details, refer to the Salad Bars in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program Memo (SP 41-2019).
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October Means It's Time to Start School Nutrition Verification
The annual verification process has started! Sponsors should be determining your verification sample from the active approved applications you’ve received as of October 1, 2019.
Here are some tips and resources that address some of the most common verification questions:
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Verification Process Timeline
Important dates related to the verification process.
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Verification of Applications for Educational Benefits
Instructions for schools to verify School Nutrition Programs meal benefits by obtaining documentation of household income or public assistance benefits from households.
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Verification Process for School Nutrition Programs (31 minutes)
School Nutrition Programs must annually verify household documentation provided and Applications for Education Benefits. This video walks through the Verification Process for School Nutrition Programs.
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Verification Reporting - Quick Reference Guide
Provides a "Quick Reference" to the CLiCS 2 Verification Collection Report. For more detailed instructions on each section, see Verification Reporting User Guide.
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School Food Authorities Required to Use Three Percent Error-Prone Sampling Method
Districts/schools on this list are required to select error prone applications for verification. Error prone applications are free or reduced-price income applications that fall within $100 per month of the income guidelines.
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Fruit and Vegetable Serving Guide now available
The Fruit and Vegetable Serving Guide is now available on the MDE website. This guide provides the measures and weights for commonly served fruits and vegetables that are equal to a half-cup portion size as determined by the USDA Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs.
This guide can be used when determining portion sizes both by weight (e.g., in ounces) or by measure (e.g., number). All portion sizes for fruits and vegetables must follow the Serving Guide. Prior to purchase, check the portion sizes of pre-packaged items carefully to ensure that the items credit as the meal planner intends.
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New USDA Memo for CACFP
New USDA Memo: Questions and Answers on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently released a six-page memo that provides guidance on using flexibilities for milk, whole grains and sodium requirements. For more information, read the Questions and Answers on the Final Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements Memo (SP 37-2019, CACFP 16-2019).
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Assistance Programs that Qualify Households for Category A (Free) Reimbursements
Message from the CACFP Review Team for Child Care Centers
Recently during child care center administrative reviews, we have seen Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) case numbers written on Household Income Statements, and sponsors categorizing the household as Category A (free). We wanted to remind CACFP sponsors that the Child Care Assistance Program in Minnesota is not an eligible assistance program to qualify participants as Category A (free) in CACFP.
The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are the only assistance programs that qualify a household as Category A. The July 2019 CACFP-Child Care Centers Household Income Statement includes a check box for households to indicate the assistance program they receive benefits from, and a line for the household to write the case number.
Use the Eligible Program Case Numbers Reported on Household Income Statements webpage to learn more about each assistance program, and the characteristics of their respective case numbers.
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2019 Farm to School Census – Make It Count, Minnesota!
The Farm to School Census captures information about the level to which farm to school efforts are underway or increasing across Minnesota and the nation. Check out the Census Preparation Worksheet for guidance on how to begin your farm to school data collection so you can report it in the Farm to School census.
How and when will SFAs receive the 2019 Census survey?
- USDA Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has contracted with the research firm, Abt Associates to administer the 2019 Farm to School Census. SFAs should have received information by email from Abt Associates the week of September 9-13, 2019.
- The 2019 Farm to School Census will be completed online and respondents can save progress and complete the survey at a later time.
Why participate in the Farm to School Census?
- The Census demonstrates the USDA’s commitment to providing healthy food and nutrition education to young people through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The census also helps USDA and states have a better understanding of the level of farm to school activities, best practices and challenges across the country.
- Your school may be a lucky winner of a "MN Grown" poster!
Spread the word! In 2015, Minnesota had a 77 percent response rate to the Census. This time our goal as a state is a 85 percent response rate! Help us get there by using #makeMNF2Scount to share your Farm to School efforts on social media.
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Farm to Cafeteria Conference
The 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is coming to Albuquerque, NM, April 21 - 23, 2020! Hosted by the National Farm to School Network, this biennial event will convene nearly 1,000 diverse stakeholders who are working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. Do you have expertise to share? The workshop and poster Request for Proposals is open through October 4, 2019. The scholarship application is open through November 1, 2019.
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Making Your Own Local Baby Food
Community Ground Works, a nonprofit organization that works to connect people to nature and local food, has posted a Making Your Own Local Baby Food guide on their website. Early care and education nutrition program sites can use this guide to make their own local baby food from fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables.
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2019 Fall Funding Opportunities for Farm to School
The beginning of a new school year is a great time to consider starting or ramping up farm to school activities in your community. Check out a list of Farm to School and ECE grant opportunities compiled by the Farm to School Network.
Grant opportunities and their deadlines are listed below:
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Every Kid Healthy Minnesota Conference – November 19
This biennial conference is hosted by Minnesota Action for Healthy Kids and will be held Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center, MN. Formerly known as the Healthy Schools Conference, the Every Kid Healthy Minnesota Conference will still support schools as well as other organizations and individuals who want to help make every kid in Minnesota healthy, active, and ready to learn. Register now for the Every Kid Healthy Minnesota Conference.
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