Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of July 1, 2024

Minnesota Department of Education sent this bulletin at 07/03/2024 08:00 AM CDT
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​​Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of July 1, 2024

Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.

All Nutrition Programs

Geographic Preference Option Guidance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a memo with updated guidance on Geographic Preference Option based on the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This guidance applies to anyone participating in any Child Nutrition Program (CNP) and to state agency purchases made for any CNP. The memo rescinds and replaces earlier memos Procurement Geographic Preference Questions and Answers [Q&As] (SP 18-2011) and Procurement Geographic Preference Q&As – Part II (SP 03-2013, CACFP 02-2013, SFSP 02-2013). For more information, please read Geographic Preference Option Questions & Answers.

Reminder: Office Closed

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2024, to observe Independence Day.

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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Household Income Statement (HIS) Packets Now Available 

The 2024–25 HIS Packets for childcare centers and adult care centers are now available on the CACFP for Centers HIS webpage. The packets include the household letter with instructions and the HIS form. Use this packet for new and renewing CACFP participants beginning July 1, 2024. The HIS Packet for childcare centers is available in Hmong, Somali and Spanish on the MDE webpage above. If you need the HIS form in additional languages, use the USDA’s Meal Benefits Income Eligibility Form, available in more than 30 languages.

To learn more about what’s required and how to approve HIS, refer to Approving Child Care Household Income Statements or Approving Adult Care Household Income Statements.

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School Nutrition Programs (SNP)

2024–25 Application for Educational Benefits Packet

The 2024–25 Application for Educational Benefits for households to apply for free and reduced-price benefits for school year (SY) 2024–25 is available on the MDE website. The earliest date that application packets can be distributed is July 1, 2024.

School Food Authorities (SFAs) that participate in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) at all sites should refer to the School Finance/Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS) Student Accounting page of the MDE website for further instructions about distributing alternate applications.

The 2024–25 Application for Educational Benefits packet includes:

  • A letter to households explaining free or reduced-price school meals benefits.
  • Instructions on how to complete the Application for Educational Benefits, which includes the updated household income guidelines. This page may be printed on the backside of the household letter.
  • Application for Educational Benefits form (two pages). Both pages must be distributed.

The application packet may include these other documents that SFAs are required to distribute at the beginning of the school year:

For information on processing applications, refer to the Procedures for approval/denial of Applications for Educational Benefits and 2024–25 Household Income Guidelines for school staff use only. Additionally, the USDA Eligibility Manual for School Meals serves as the most comprehensive resource on processing student meal applications.

Cafeteria Tables

  • Per recent updates to MN 124D.111, lunchroom furniture (cafeteria tables) may now be coded to the food service fund (Fund 02) at the discretion of the district.
    • Legislative change was made effective October 1, 2023. Fiscal year 24 Fund 02 surplus may be used for purchase.
    • Fund 02 may only be used if certain financial conditions exist: 
      • Surplus exists in the restricted fund balance (GL 4.64) at the end of a fiscal year for three successive years.
      • Restricted fund balance (GL 4.64) at the end of the last fiscal year is greater than the cost of the purchase.
  • Lunchroom furniture (cafeteria tables) will be added to the Child Nutrition Programs Pre-Approved Equipment List, which contains capital assets typically purchased by SFAs or sponsors for use in Child Nutrition Programs.
    • Pre-approved Equipment List is being updated to reflect this change. Updated document will be announced soon in future Nutrition Bulletin.
      • School Food Authorities (SFAs) do not need prior approval to use Fund 02 to purchase lunchroom furniture (cafeteria tables).
      • Proper federal, state, or local procurement procedures (which is stricter) must still be utilized for purchase.

Questions? Please contact us: mde.fns-rmp@state.mn.us.

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Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

SFSP Site Applications

Resources to help families locate summer meal sites rely on the information entered in SFSP Site Applications in The Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). If operational changes occur throughout the summer, please update the site application in CLiCS prior to change to ensure accurate information is shared with the public. Meals served outside of approved meal times cannot be claimed for reimbursement.

View a list of resources to find summer meals on the SFSP webpage.

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