Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of August 12, 2024
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.
Updated Documents
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Visit the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) at the Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is just around the corner and MDE will once again have a booth at the Education Building. Stop by to spin the trivia wheel, answer a question and win a prize. Students will be encouraged to fill out “Thank an Educator” cards, which will be mailed to educators by MDE after the fair. The State Fair will run from Aug. 22 through Labor Day, Sept. 2. To learn more, go to mnstatefair.org.
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2024–25 Renewal Applications
CACFP applications for Program Year 2025 are available to submit online in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS). Complete and submit applications on or before September 6, 2024, to ensure adequate processing time prior to the new program year. Be sure to update the contact information on both the sponsor and site applications.
Refer to the CACFP Application Renewal Instructions on the Minnesota Department of Education Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) website for directions and log in to CLiCS to renew your applications.
For assistance with questions, contact Nutrition Program Services using the Contact Us form or by phone at 651-582-8526 (local) or 1-800-366-8922 (Minnesota toll-free).
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Celebrate Innovation at the Healthy Meals Summit
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and partners are hosting the next Healthy Meals Summit in Las Vegas, from October 21–23. The Summit provides an opportunity to celebrate and share innovative efforts to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals and students and family engagement in nutrition education. Apply for a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award by August 30, 2024, to be eligible to attend the Summit. Award recipients will receive complimentary registration and travel stipends to attend.
Direct Certification Requirements for Nonpublic Schools
Nonpublic schools participating in the SNPs are required to upload student enrollment data into CLiCS at least three times per year to determine if any students can be directly certified. New direct certification information is available in CLiCS around the middle of each month. Nonpublic schools with a September–June academic calendar should plan to directly certify students before the first day of school, in late November and in late February. Add these dates to your calendar now so you don’t forget to complete these important tasks.
If you need further assistance after reviewing these resources, contact us at mde.fns@state.mn.us.
Summary of USDA’s New Meal Patterns Webinar
USDA recently published the final rule titled, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Although program operators are not required to make any changes to their menus as a result of this rulemaking until school year 2025–26, this webinar will summarize this new final rule, when each aspect must be implemented and what sponsors can do this school year to prepare.
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Reminder About Unallowable Costs for Additional Foods
To improve the nutrition of children participating in the SFSP, additional foods, such as an extra cheese stick or an additional fruit/vegetable, may be served with meals and/or snacks. However, any additional food items purchased with SFSP funds must be creditable under the SFSP meal pattern requirements. Non-creditable food items, such as such as baked potato chips or commercially prepared beef sticks without a product formulation statement, are considered unallowable costs and must be purchased using non-program funds. Condiments served with a creditable food item are exempt from this restriction.
Review USDA policy memo SFSP06-2012 for more information.
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