The USDA Foods annual survey is now posted in the Food Distribution module of MAPS. Notification was emailed to the USDA Foods Ordering Contact on February 1st. Completion of the survey is required. This is the only opportunity to request specific quantities of the USDA Foods for the 2021-22 school year. Allocations for USDA DoD Fresh are also made at this time.
For more information, please contact Pam Fruh, Food Distribution Program Manager at pamela.fruh@mt.gov or 406-444-4412.
USDA Foods Entitlement for 2021-22 School Year
Due to widespread school closures resulting from COVID-19, and the ongoing operation of the Summer Food Service Program, reimbursable lunch counts have been lower than in a typical school year.
Left unaddressed, this would result in a reduction of the NSLP entitlement available to Montana under the standard calculation. Therefore, MT OPI School Nutrition Programs has opted in to a waiver that will base entitlement for the coming school year on lunch counts from 2018-19.
This means that sponsors will receive the same entitlement for 2021-22 as they received for 2020-21. The waiver covers all NSLP participants; no action is required by individual sponsors.
New! Meal Counter App for SFSP
Sponsors serving under the SFSP will soon have the opportunity to opt into using Meal Counter software in MAPS. Our goal is to have it available to sponsors as early as March 1st and continue into regular summer operations.
The Meal Counter app will reduce the amount of paperwork, make reporting requirements easier, and help sponsors collect accurate meal counts. The app will also sync with an operational date calendar and claims in MAPS so less time will be needed to submit claims.
Montana OPI will tentatively be providing a program overview during the Webinar Wednesday on February 10th. In the meantime, sponsors can check out this promo video for more information.
USDA is committed to providing nutrition assistance to hard-hit families across the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. On January 22, in support of President Biden’s call to action on hunger, USDA announced that it is increasing the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) benefit by approximately 15 percent, providing more money for low-income families and millions of children missing meals due to school and child care closures.
Note: The OPI does not yet have information about this to share with districts. We will let you know as soon as we have information.
FNS is offering additional funds to State agencies administering the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to provide local operators of those programs with additional reimbursements for emergency operating costs they incurred during the public health emergency.
Pursuant to section 2202(a) of the FFCRA, as extended by the Continuing Appropriations Act 2021, FNS is establishing a nationwide opt-in waiver to help minimize the impact of coronavirus related school closures on USDA Foods entitlement calculations.
Register now! Nutrition 101: A Taste of Food and Fitness
Montana Team Nutrition is pleased to offer Nutrition 101, a free 8-hour training course provided by the Institute of Child Nutrition! This virtual class will be divided into four 2-hour sessions in March. This course qualifies for SNA core course certification level 1. Target audiences: School Nutrition Directors and Staff; educators; paraprofessionals. 8 hours of USDA Professional Standards and OPI Renewal Units are available.
Stay up-to-date with farm to school data and more.
OPI Professional Learning Needs Survey
We are requesting your feedback on the numerous professional learning opportunities offered by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI). Please visit the 2021-2022 OPI Professional Learning Needs Survey to learn more about this feedback opportunity.
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
