Montana Office of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 10/26/2022 11:11 AM MDT
Apply Now! 2023 USDA Farm to School Grant is OPEN
The FY 2023 USDA Farm to School Grant Request for Applications (RFA) is now available here [grants.gov]! Applications are due by 11:59 pm ET on January 6th, 2023. USDA seeks to award up to $12 million to expand access to local food in eligible schools.
Schools and school districts, CACFP and Summer sponsors, Indian tribal organizations, State agencies, local agencies, non-profit organizations, and agricultural producers are encouraged to apply. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $100,000 in one of the five grant tracks. State agencies or other eligible organizations proposing projects that are multi-state or national in scope may apply for up to $500,000.
The purpose of this memorandum is to announce an additional $50 million in FY 2022 Equipment Assistance Grant funding above the $30 million announced in SP 14-2022. This additional funding, provided by ARPA, is being made available to state agencies in addition to the previously announced $30 million, to competitively award Equipment Assistance Subgrants to eligible SFAs participating in the NSLP.
This guidance outlines an additional $471.5 million being provided by FNS to enhance local school districts' ability to purchase foods for school meals by offering resources needed to address supply chain challenges directly to schools and school districts.
SP16-2022
Fiscal Year 2023 CACFP & SFSP Area Eligibility Data Now Available!
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is excited to announce that the 2023 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) participant area eligibility data are now available!
At the start of every fiscal year, FNS releases a special tabulation of data provided by the Census Bureau for CACFP and SFSP that establishes area eligibility in CACFP and SFSP. These data are effective as of October 1, 2022.
Please note that the map works best when opened in the following browsers: Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
Now Available: The revised Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
The Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs [fns.usda.gov] has been revised with the 2022 final rule Child Nutrition Programs: Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium. It is a must-have resource for anyone involved in planning school meals. This important resource provides examples of various grain products often served in schools and walks the user through the process of determining whether products are whole grain-rich, creditable as enriched, or not creditable.
While the Program operators and staff at the local school food authority comprise the target audience, State agencies and FNS Regional Offices may find this resource helpful for providing guidance and training.
Crediting Milk in the Child Nutrition Programs Tip Sheet
This is the fourth tip sheet in a series of seven that includes the previously released Crediting Fruits, Crediting Vegetables, and Crediting Meats/Meat Alternates in Child Nutrition Programs [fns.usda.gov]. This tip sheet is an easy-to-use reference for program operators in implementing the milk component requirements across all Child Nutrition Programs (CNP). Program operators can do a knowledge check of the meal component requirement with a question-and-answer section.
State agencies and FNS Regional Offices may want to use the tip sheet to provide guidance and training.
As you continue to evolve and adapt your programs to best serve students, Dairy MAX is committed to helping you achieve success.
We know that starting a new initiative can be easier with funding and expert support, so we are pleased to announce that our Fall Nutrition NOW [dairymax.org] funding application is open.
If you are interested in learning more or looking to apply, please reach out to your local School Wellness Consultant, Sara Rose Foreman, at foremans@dairymax.org or 720.327.1646.
Apply Now for up to $10,000 for the School Food Service Equipment Grant- Deadline to apply is November 4, 2022
The Montana Office of Public Instruction has available funding to award via competitive sub-grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to Montana school districts. This School Food Service Equipment Grant funding opportunity is available for Montana school districts that operate the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during SY2022-23 to obtain new equipment or to renovate or replace existing equipment.
Instructions for Submitting 2021-22 School Year Food Safety Inspections Report
Due November 10, 2022
Either the Food Service Director or Claims Contact for the district may enter the information. Thank you to those who have already entered the information!
6. For each site, click on None, One, Two, Three, or More for the number of inspections received at that site during the previous school year.
7. If fewer than Two inspections were received, click on the reason.
8. When finished entering for each site, click Save at the bottom of the page.
Food Safety Inspections Requirement
School Food Authorities that serve meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are required to maintain proper sanitation and health standards in conformance with all applicable State and local laws and regulations. School Food Authorities are required to obtain two school food safety inspections per school year, which are to be conducted by a State or local governmental agency responsible for food safety inspections (see 7 CFR 210.13 for the NSLP regulations and 7 CFR 220.7 for the SBP regulations at www.fns.usda.gov/cnd). The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265) increased the inspection requirement from one to two per school year, beginning in the school year 2005-06, and requires School Food Authorities to post the latest inspection report in a visible location and make it available to the public upon request.
Food Safety Inspections Reporting Requirement
The State Agency that administers the school meal programs is also required to collect information on the total number of inspections conducted in schools under the jurisdiction and report to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service the number of inspections by November 15 each year.
The food safety inspection requirement applies to all food preparation service sites and service-only sites. The scope of the food safety inspection may vary according to the type of food service operation and is determined by the agency responsible for inspections.
Registration is open for the Montana Harvest of the Month Showcase
The Park County Showcase will take place in Gardiner Montana on December 2.
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.
