Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of September 21, 2020

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Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of September 21, 2020

Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the specific section by clicking the link.


What's New on the Website

Updated documents:

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All Nutrition Programs

Meal Pattern Waivers

USDA recently issued a waiver that allows modifications to meal pattern requirements. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is accepting meal pattern waiver requests via an online survey. Apply for the Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver School Year 2020-21. Waiver requests are intended to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to COVID-19. Requests must be for current needs of short duration and must be submitted by sponsor (not site or foodservice management company) contacts.

Additional information about the waiver may be found in the USDA meal pattern waiver memos: National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program or the Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option

 

CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Area Eligibility Waiver 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently released a nationwide waiver which waives the area eligibility requirement for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program sites. This waiver allows schools and afterschool care centers to serve At-Risk meals and snacks to students after the regular school day regardless of the location through December 31, 2020. For more information, please read the Nationwide Waiver of Area Eligibility in the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Care Component.

The Steps to Enroll in the At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program for Current School Nutrition Program Sponsors provides instructions for School Food Authorities (SFAs) to apply for CACFP At-Risk meals and provides links to information about the program. Please disregard Step 1, as the nationwide waiver mentioned above waives the site eligibility requirement.

The following waiver and Q&As provide additional information about operating the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meal Program during COVID-19:

 

Great Apple Crunch

Great Apple Crunch

Sign up to be part of the Minnesota Apple Crunch this October!

While farm to school month this October will look different, one way to celebrate is by participating in the Apple Crunch! Are you ready to have fun?

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign up to receive the K-12, ECE or At-Home Apple Crunch Guides or view the guides.

Step 2: Get your hands on some local apples!

Step 3: Grab your class, friends or family to CRUNCH into those apples!

Step 4: Take a video or picture of the fun and share using #MNAppleCrunch or #MNfarmtoschool.

Do you have questions or need some support finding a local grower? Contact Sami Burington.

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Child and Adult Care Food Programs

Team Nutrition Recipes for CACFP

USDA Team Nutrition has just released some of your favorite standardized recipes with new yields. The new recipes provide crediting information to make preparing and serving delicious meals for young children in home childcare and adults in centers easier in the CACFP. These recipes come in yields of six servings for 3-5-year-olds and 25-50 servings for adult participants. View the USDA Standardized Recipes for the CACFP.

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School Nutrition Programs

Tuesdays @ 2 Webinars 

Join school nutrition staff for a training webinar every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Read session descriptions and register for Tuesdays @ 2 webinars.

  • Verification 100 for School Nutrition Programs (September 29, 2020)
  • Verification 200 for School Nutrition Programs (October 6, 2020)
  • Labels, Labels, Labels (October 13, 2020)

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Opportunities from Our Partners

Good Food Access Program Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant

The Good Food Access Program Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant (GFAP) increases the availability of and access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food (including produce) for underserved communities in low and moderate income areas. Grants help grocery stores and small food retailers make physical improvements and purchase equipment to stimulate sales of such foods.

The application process is open for a new round of GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grants. Approximately $280,000 is available, with a maximum award of $50,000 and a minimum award of $2,500. Applications will be accepted until November 19, 2020, at 4 p.m. View the GFAP Equipment and Physical Improvement Grant request for proposals and application.

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