Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of October 18, 2021

Minnesota Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/20/2021 05:28 PM CDT
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Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of October 18, 2021

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

What's New on the Website

School Nutrition Program Webpage Organization Updates  

The Sponsor Claims, Program Applications and Reviews webpage was renamed Meal Counting, Program Applications and Reviews and the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) Claims and Reporting webpage was renamed Meal Counting and Claiming to better reflect the resources available on these webpages. School Nutrition Program CLiCS resources are available from the CLiCS webpage and are no longer listed on the Meal Counting and Claiming webpage.   

New Document 

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All Nutrition Programs

COVID-19 Emergency Procurement Guidance Memo

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently released a new guidance memo related to use of emergency procurement due to COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions. This memo has information on use of emergency noncompetitive procurement, required documentation, piggybacking onto existing contracts, and more. For more information, please read Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Programs Emergency Procurement Due to Supply Chain Disruptions. Additionally, we have developed a supply chain disruptions resource for school food authorities that addresses supply chain disruptions, managing USDA Foods, making meal pattern adjustments, and accommodating special diet needs.   

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School Nutrition Programs (SNP)

Thanking School Nutrition Professionals 

In recognition of National School Lunch Week, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona extend their thanks to school nutrition professionals for their commitment to ensuring children are well-nourished and ready to succeed in school. Share your thanks with school nutrition professionals at your school with free Stronger with School Meals digital thank you cards and a thank you video. We, at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), value all of the extraordinary contributions you have made over the past 18 months. Thank you!

Meal Pattern Flexibility Requests – Update

USDA’s Nationwide Waiver to Allow Specific School Meal Pattern Flexibility for School Year 2021-2022 Response #90 allows School Food Authorities (SFAs) to apply for a waiver for meal pattern flexibility. It is MDE’s responsibility to approve meal pattern flexibility by: 

  • Supporting the nutritional integrity of the USDA meal pattern requirements 
  • Maintaining accountability to USDA in the flexibilities approved 
  • Enabling SFAs to operate effectively given the constraints of the pandemic and current supply chain issues 

SFAs can apply for a meal pattern flexibility waiver anytime during the school year through the Meal Pattern Waiver Request for Schools – School Year 2021-22. If “Supply Chain/Other” is selected as a reason for requesting a meal pattern flexibility, sponsors must provide details for the supply chain or other challenges. Specifically, SFAs must explain what has happened within the operation that has now made the flexibility necessary. The approval process is significantly delayed when adequate information is not provided. As a reminder, please submit waiver requests only for current or recent needs. 

School Nutrition Program Consultant Position Available

The MDE School Nutrition Programs team has a one-year temporary full-time opening for a School Nutrition Program Consultant position. You may also search for Job ID 49623 at State of Minnesota Careers. Closing date for this position is November 2, 2021. 

Tuesdays @ 2 Webinars

Join school nutrition staff for a training webinar Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Read session descriptions and register for school year 2021-22 Tuesdays @ 2 webinars. 

  • Verification: Evaluating Household Documentation (October 26, 2021)
  • Afterschool Meal Opportunities for Schools (November 2, 2021) 
  • Submitting the Verification Report in CLiCS (November 9, 2021) 

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Opportunities from Our Partners

USDA Professional Standards Resource for School Nutrition 

School nutrition professionals may order a free packet of Professional Standards Training Reward Badges. The Training Reward Badges are stickers used to motivate and acknowledge staff who complete their annual required Professional Standards training. 

Order the Professional Standards Training Reward Badges packet and check out Team Nutrition’s Professional Standards webpage for additional resources. 

Technical Assistance (TA) Office Hour for Farm to School Grant Applications

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Agriculture, Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Farm to School Grants applications are open now and due November 4 at 4 p.m. The MDA AGRI Farm to School Grants support Minnesota school districts that want to purchase and serve Minnesota agricultural products. A technical assistance office hour will be held to help prospective applicants get ready to apply for the MDA Farm to School Grants. Register for the office hour to be held Tuesday, October 26, 3-4 p.m. Check out the Farm to School grant information on MDA’s website and the grant support resources on the Minnesota Farm to School webpage prior to the office hour, including a recorded webinar providing an overview of the grant opportunities. 

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