Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of February 10, 2025
Each section contains updates relevant to those nutrition programs. You can jump to the section you're interested in by clicking the link.
Office Closed
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will be closed Monday, February 17, 2025, due to the President’s Day holiday.
New Procurement Webpage and Resources
All MDE Child Nutrition Program procurement resources are now located on the new Procurement webpage. A new resource is also available to provide guidance on procurement to sponsors that participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
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Procurement Handbook – This handbook describes procurement requirements, regulations and specific circumstances that a sponsor who participates in child nutrition programs may encounter.
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March 16–22, 2025 is National CACFP Week
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes and adult day care centers. The Minnesota Department of Education recognizes National CACFP week and encourages CACFP sponsors to celebrate.
National CACFP week is hosted by the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) to raise awareness of how the CACFP works to combat hunger, promote good eating habits, and contribute to high-quality child care. Tools and resources for creating your own CACFP Week Campaign are available at no cost to NCA members including flyers, promotional activity ideas, fun snack ideas, educational activity sheets, colorful sample menus, staff appreciation certificates, and social media images. Get ready for CACFP Week by visiting the National CACFP Sponsors Association website at National CACFP week – National CACFP Sponsors Association or search for them on Facebook. If you are organizing an event, consider extending an invitation—we would be happy to join in the celebration.
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Minnesota Farm to School Institute
The Minnesota Farm to School Institute is a team-based, year-long professional learning opportunity for schools to develop skills and action plans for growing their Farm to School program. The school team applications are now open and will close Friday, February 28. View more information on the Farm to School Institute website. The Institute is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota Extension.
Prepare Now to Meet School Year 2025–26 (SY 25–26) Buy American Requirements
Beginning July 1, 2025, non-domestic food purchases must equal 10% or less of total commercial food costs. Tracking all nondomestic food purchases is required now; schools are encouraged to use the USDA exception log. Schools should begin preparing now to ensure their purchase of non-domestic food items will meet the 10% cap for SY 25–26. Steps that may help you meet this cap include:
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Review the percentage of food costs being spent this year on nondomestic food items using the USDA exception log.
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Remember that items on the Federal Acquisitions Regulations Non-available articles list will be included in the 10% purchase cap.
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If you receive meals from a contracted vendor, ask the vendor how Buy American requirements will be met and documentation maintained.
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Review prime vendor bid language to ensure that it is up to date with Buy American requirements.
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Check with manufacturers, distributors and food buying groups to determine the country of origin for all food purchases.
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Obtain a velocity report from your distributors to determine the percentage of your current total commercial food costs that are non-domestic.
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Reduce or replace these commonly purchased non-domestic items with produce grown in the United States:
- Canned mandarin oranges
- Canned pineapple
- Bananas
- Out of season produce
- All flavors of juice
- Increase the number and frequency of locally grown items on menus
USDA Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation Survey
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is conducting the 2024–25 School Food Authority (SFA) Survey on Supply Chain Disruption and Student Participation, a web survey of all SFAs that operate Child Nutrition Programs. The survey seeks to collect information on key challenges SFAs are currently facing in the areas of school food procurement, program administration and program finances.
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The survey SFAs received on January 27 should have come from noreply@qemailserver.com.
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SFAs are asked to complete the survey by March 10, 2025.
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If SFAs have questions about the survey, they may contact the Decision Information Resources, Incorporated (DIR) study team at 844-632-9019 or e-mail SFASupplyChainSurvey@dir-online.com.
Urban School Food Alliance Survey
The Urban School Food Alliance (USFA), as part of a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), seeks your feedback on challenges and training opportunities around school food procurement. The anonymous survey will close on Wednesday, February 26. You will also have the chance to enter a drawing to attend a school food culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America.
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