Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of September 12, 2022
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section by clicking the link.
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Public Health Alert – Mother's Touch Formula
On Tuesday September 6, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health alert advising parents and caregivers not to buy or give Mother's Touch Formula to infants under their care. The product is being marketed as an infant formula without the required pre-market notification to the FDA, and it does not meet infant formula nutrient requirements for seven nutrients.
More information including FDA action and recommendations for consumers can be accessed through the FDA's Alerts, Advisories and Safety Information: Mother's Touch Formula webpage.
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Update on Use of Nondiscrimination Statement
Religious educational institutions must continue using the 2022 version of the USDA nondiscrimination statement (NDS) on applicable documents and materials and display the 2022 version of the And Justice For All (AJFA) poster in accordance with Agency requirements. However, educational institutions that claim a Title IX religious exemption or seek USDA assurance of religious exemption from Title IX provisions may continue using the 2015 version of the USDA NDS and the 2019 version of the AJFA poster. The 2019 version of the AJFA poster (AD-475A) is located on the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights website. All And Justice for All posters must be printed at 11-inch width by 17-inch height per Departmental Regulation 4300-003. The minimum text size to be used on the posters is 14-point.
Please contact the respective Regional Civil Rights Officer to request a copy of the 2015 version of the NDS if needed. Additionally, USDA and State agencies will continue monitoring proper use of the NDS and the appropriate AJFA poster in program management evaluations, civil rights reviews, and administrative reviews. Please note that if program complaints of discrimination or any other compliance-related issues arise against these educational institutions they will have to demonstrate how using the 2022 version of the NDS and AJFA poster is against their religious tenet(s).
Second Allocation of Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has provided an additional $16,411,711 to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to distribute directly to schools and school districts currently operating the National School Lunch Program, to alleviate supply chain disruptions in the school meal programs. This amount plus the remainder of undistributed funds of $1,379,527.42 from the initial allocation is available for school year 2022-23.
To receive these funds, Sponsors that did not accept previous SCA funds, must submit an Attestation Statement. Sponsors that previously received SCA funds must only Opt-In. View the Second Allocation of SCA Funds by Sponsor list for individual award amounts and link to submit the proper form. Additional reference documents are available in the form link.
These funds are to be used exclusively to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed domestic food products and will financially offset some of the challenges faced due to supply chain disruptions. Many foods already being purchased meet this criteria, leaving existing funds available for unexpected higher prices of processed foods and delivery fees.
Collaboration between Food Service Director and Business Manager is highly encouraged to ensure compliance.
SP 15-2022 Second Allocation of Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funds
School Year (SY) 2022-23 Verification Requirements
School Food Authorities (SFAs) must annually verify student eligibility from a sample of household applications approved for free and reduced-price meals from the current school year.
Sample Selection
School Food Authorities Required to Use Three Percent Error-Prone Sampling Method – Check this list before determining your verification sample. SFAs on this list must use the Standard (Three Percent Error-Prone) Method.
Key Dates
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September 30 – Verify all Direct Certification files have been processed
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October 3 (first operating day of the month) – Determine verification sample
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October 31 – Determine number of directly certified students and students eligible by application
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November 15 – All verification activity must be completed
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December 1 – Verification Report deadline (All SFAs must submit a report)
Please take the time to review the resources on the Verification webpage as well as the new Verification Module coming soon to the SNP Training: Essentials page.
Have You Entered Your 2022-23 Paid Lunch Prices in CLiCS?
Each year, MDE must report to USDA every SFA's student-paid lunch price for the current year. In order to gather this data, we require that each SFA enter the data in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) by 5 p.m. on September 30, 2022. Detailed instructions on entering paid lunch prices can be found on the MDE CLiCS page.
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October is Farm to School and Early Care Education Month
Now is the time to prepare for Farm to School and Early Care Education (ECE) Month. There are many ways to celebrate in Farm to School such as the Great Lakes Apple Crunch or serving a Minnesota Thursday meal. Register your celebration, learn more and tell us about your celebration on the University of Minnesota Extension’s Farm to School Month webpage.
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