Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of January 27, 2025
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.
Federal Funding Freeze
Regarding the federal funding freeze, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has heard from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA has advised that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) funding freeze memo has been rescinded.
Guidance on Accepting Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians
The final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, requires program operators in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to accept medical statements from registered dietitians. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a memo that provides guidance on this change, which must be implemented by July 1, 2025, for school meal programs and October 1, 2025, for CACFP. For more information, read Requirement to Accept Medical Statements from Registered Dietitians for Schools and Child and Adult Care Institutions and Facilities.
Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow, Regional Networking Events
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension is hosting the Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow in February. These regional events will be in-person opportunities for producers, schools and early care providers to make connections and learn how to build successful Farm to School relationships. Events will include training and facilitated networking.
Dates and Locations for in-person events:
February 11 – Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (Fergus Falls)
February 12 – Sprout MN (Little Falls)
February 13 – Cloquet Public Library (Cloquet)
February 18 – The Minnesota Department of Education (Minneapolis)
February 26 – Aune Hall at Graham Park (Rochester)
February 28 – New Ulm Civic Center (New Ulm)
View registration details and more information for the Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow events.
Minnesota Harvest of the Month Tour at Bushel Boy Farms
The Minnesota Harvest of the Month team is offering an in-person gathering on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at Bushel Boy Farms in Owatonna. The event will include a tour, a provided lunch, networking and learning opportunities. View registration details and more information for the Harvest of the Month tour.
Summer Rural Non-Congregate Guidance Memo
USDA released a new memo with guidance on operating summer rural non-congregate meal service. Some of the topics addressed include meal service and quality, civil rights, monitoring and program integrity. For more information, review Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers Number 3.
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Cereal Category Update
The crediting document, Cereal: Flakes, Rounds or Puffed has been updated to reflect a change for the following cereals from “puffed” category of cereals to the “flakes or rounds category;” Chex (corn, rice and wheat), Crispix and Life cereals have one ounce equivalent of creditable grain per cup.
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Meal Talk Webinar: Reducing Sodium in School Meals
USDA’s Team Nutrition Initiative will present a Meal Talk webinar on Reducing Sodium in School Meals to meet the Final Rule, “Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” It will be recorded and made available later on the Team Nutrition webpage. All who register will receive an email when the recording is available. Register for the February 20 webinar at 2 p.m.
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Say Yes! to School Meals Photo Contest
The deadline is approaching to submit entries for MDE's Say Yes! to Schools Photo Contest. The contest is intended to celebrate and showcase the delicious and unique meals that Minnesota schools are serving.
Each School Food Authority may submit one breakfast photo and one lunch photo. The contest period runs January 6–February 10, 2025. All entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. February 10. View the contest details on the Team Nutrition webpage and view examples from last year's photo contest.
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