Nutrition Program Bulletin – Week of November 3, 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 Nutrition Program Reimbursement Reminder
The ongoing federal government shutdown is now the longest in American history. We know this unpredictability has real impacts on school and childcare communities across Minnesota, and like you, we are watching budget negotiations closely to understand what developments mean for your schools, your staff, and your students.
Timely and accurate submissions are especially important in the face of uncertainty. Although Child Nutrition Programs continue to be funded, the shutdown has led to Minnesota receiving nutrition funds in different quantities and at unpredictable times.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) are reimbursement-based. Sponsors request reimbursement for meals and snacks by submitting claims. Claims can only be submitted to MDE after reimbursable meals and snacks have been provided to eligible participants at an approved site. Claims for reimbursement must accurately reflect the actual reimbursable meals and snacks served to eligible participants and must be claimed in the accurate eligibility categories.
The claim form opens in the Cyber-Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) after the calendar month ends. For example, the April claim form will be available on May 1. Claims will only be processed and paid for sites with an approved application. CLiCS contains claim edits to allow only the approved meal types, approved months of operation, and number of participants for the number of applicable days in the month. Final claims must be submitted for payment within 60 calendar days after the end of the claiming month. If day 60 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday, the claim is due on the next business day. Reimbursement due dates can be found under the CLiCS page (MDE.gov).
The MDE CLiCS User Guide provides instructions on how to submit a claim. Contact Nutrition Program Services at mde.fns@state.mn.us or call 651-582-8526 for assistance.
Website Maintenance Scheduled: Temporary Interruption to Content
Due to a scheduled technology upgrade, some content on the MDE website, including downloadable content and web applications, will be unavailable between 5 p.m. on Friday, November 14, and 8 a.m. on Monday, November 17.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we make important upgrades.
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New Video Series: Spotlight on Sodium and Sugar
MDE released two new videos that highlight the updated school nutrition standards for sodium and added sugar.
In the videos, Emily Honer, Director of Nutrition Program Services at MDE, interviews four guests (Jenna Kiepke, Danika Schweim, Glen Ritter, and Jeff Ansorge) to learn about the updated USDA requirements related to sodium and added sugar in school breakfast and lunch meals. The videos are located on the Training and Professional Standards webpage, and include:
To view related FAQ documents on sodium and added sugar in school meals, visit the Menu Planning webpage.
After viewing each video, you may record it as a 15-minute training on your Professional Standards tracker.
Understanding USDA's Smart Snack Standards Webinar
Register for an upcoming webinar hosted by SNP staff on Wednesday, November 19th at 2 p.m.
If your school has à la carte, vending machines, a school store, or other location on campus where foods or beverages are sold, attend this webinar and learn how to ensure that all foods and beverages being sold meet USDA’s Smart Snacks requirements.
Topics include:
- An overview of USDA’s Smart Snacks in School standards
- How to evaluate foods and beverages for compliance
- Tools and resources to support implementation
Professional Standards Learning Objectives: 3230, 4150
Upcoming Verification Key Dates
November 17: Verification activities must be completed.
December 1: Verification reports are due in the Cyber Linked Interactive Child Nutrition System (CLiCS) by Monday, December 1. The Verification Collection Report is now open in CLiCS. Verification activities can be reported now if the verification process has been completed.
All School Food Authorities (SFAs) must submit some data in the verification report, even if your SFA:
- is Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) district-wide,
- is an RCCI, or
- did not have any approved Applications for Educational Benefits as of October 1, 2025.
Resources to assist you in reporting verification are available in MDE’s Verification Reporting Handbook.
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