​​Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of December 16, 2024​

Minnesota Department of Education sent this bulletin at 12/20/2024 08:00 AM CST
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​​Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of December 16, 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

Reminder: Office Closed Wednesday

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will be closed Wednesday, December 25, due to the holiday.

Minnesota Farm to Kids Strategic Plan

The Minnesota Farm to Kids Strategic Plan is a five-year plan will guide Minnesota’s Farm to School and Early Care work to progress local procurement and agricultural education in our state for all of Minnesota’s kids. View more information can be on the Farm to School and Early Care webpage on the MDE website.

Patrick Leahy Farm to Kids 2023 Census

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Patrick Leahy Farm to School Census results from the 2023 survey are now available. The 2023 Farm to School Census website includes high-level data snapshots of national and state farm to school activities, individual School Food Authority (SFA) responses and public-use datasets for further data analysis and exploration. Data specific to Minnesota is now available on the USDA website.

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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

New Resource Available: Most Common Review Findings

The Most Common Review Findings document is now available on the MDE website. Use this document to learn about common review findings and access resources to help prepare for the CACFP review.

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School Nutrition Programs (SNP)

New Training: Identifying Top Sources of Added Sugars and Simple Swaps

USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative added a new training to the series, The Road to Successful Menu Planning for School Meals. Watch the 15-minute training Identifying Top Sources of Added Sugars and Simple Swaps. This training series is provides school nutrition professionals with quick tips, tools and knowledge to meet the nutrition standards for added sugars and sodium, and to help create a road map for successful school menu planning.

Ramadan Waiver Request Form for Schools

Schools interested in providing meals to their enrolled students who are fasting during Ramadan may complete the Ramadan Waiver Request Form for Schools. Meals may only be provided to enrolled students who attend school on the day that meals are sent home with the student. Meals can be sent home for one day at a time February 28–March 30, 2025. Meals must meet all daily and weekly meal pattern requirements, including vegetable subgroups. The person completing the waiver request form will need to have operational knowledge of how meals will be provided during Ramadan. The waiver request form includes questions about the school’s plans for:

  • Menus that meet meal pattern requirements
  • Food safety of non-congregate meals
  • Counting meals at the point of service
  • Ensuring that only students attending school that day are provided meals

Schools must receive state agency approval before using any of the flexibilities provided under this waiver. Incomplete waiver requests will not be approved. Ramadan waiver request forms are due by Friday, February 7, 2025, to allow sufficient time for review.

Updated Training Guide: Offering Meats and Meat Alternates at School

USDA announced the Offering Meats and Meat Alternates at School Breakfast training guide has been updated to be consistent with the Final Rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The final rule allows schools the option to offer grains, meats/meat alternates, or a combination of both at breakfast. 

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