January 2024 School Nutrition Announcements

Montana Office of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 12/20/2023 12:54 PM MST

For Summer Meals Sponsoring Organizations and Program Operators: Registration Open for Non-congregate Meal Service Implementation Webinar

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (the Act) (P.L. 117-328). The Act included significant policy changes for Child Nutrition Programs, including the authorization of a permanent, non-congregate meal service through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) for rural areas with no congregate meal service.

FNS anticipates that the Summer EBT and Rural Non-congregate Summer Meals Option Interim Final Rule (IFR) will be published in late December 2023. In anticipation of IFR publication, FNS plans to host an implementation webinar for Summer Meals Sponsoring Organizations and Program Operators on Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service for Rural Areas on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 2 to 3:30 PM Eastern Time. Registration is available here [zoomgov.com].

This webinar will include time for questions and answers from the audience. This webinar will be recorded and made available on the FNS website at a later date.

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer in 2024

Dear Sponsors,

The Montana OPI School Nutrition Programs (MT OPI) is excited to announce the Summer-Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer-EBT) program starting in the summer 2024. Legislation passed in 2022 established this new federal program to fulfill hunger gaps when children are not in school.

MT OPI is partnering with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to administer the program. An announcement of this new program and collaboration can be found in this press release.

Summer-EBT provides families with $120 per eligible child. Children must be directly certified or income-eligible to qualify. Benefits will come in the form of preloaded cards that families can use to purchase groceries.

OPI School Nutrition Programs will send guidance and resources for schools. Refer to this webpage dedicated to Summer-EBT for updates.

Schools that do not currently collect free/reduced applications will be given targeted technical assistance from School Nutrition Programs staff. We are committed to providing strong support in this new program implementation.

~ MT OPI School Nutrition Programs

Paperwork Requirements

Stay on track of requirements with the School Nutrition Programs Annual Checklist.

Round 4 Supply Chain Assistance Funds

The Office of Public Instruction will be distributing $4,232,796 in Round 4 Supply Chain Assistance funding to districts soon.

See the Supply Chain Assistance webpage for additional information.

Is your school participating in DOD Fresh (FFAVORS) SY2023-24?

This is a reminder to spend ALL your available DOD Fresh funds prior to the end of this current school year as they DO NOT roll over.

To review your available funds, log into FFAVORS: FFAVORS LOGIN: USDA DOD FRESH PROGRAM [ffavors.fns.usda.gov]

If you are having trouble getting into your account or have further questions, please contact Lauren Donithan, email lauren.donithan@mt.gov.

USDA Foods 5th Delivery January 2 - 26, 2024

List of items on Shipment 5 (if you ordered them):

110361	APPLESAUCE CUP-96/4.5
110541	APPLESAUCE UNSWEETENED CAN-6/10
100373	BEANS GREAT NORTHERN CAN-6/10
100307	BEANS GREEN CAN-6/10
100365	BEANS PINTO CAN-6/10
100362	BEANS REFRIED CAN-6/10
100158	BEEF FINE GROUND FRZ CTN-40 LB 1/15
100242	BLUEBERRY WILD FRZ CTN-8/3 LB
100117	CHICKEN FAJITA STRIPS CTN-30 LB
100212	MIXED FRUIT EX LT CAN-6/10
	Montana Marinara FRZ
100220	PEACHES CLING DICED EX LT CAN-6/10
100220	PEACHES CLING DICED EX LT CAN-6/10
100224	PEARS SLICES EX LT CAN-6/10
100188	PORK HAM WTRADCBEDFRZ PKG-4/10 OR 8/5 LB
100355	POTATOES WEDGE FRZ PKG-6/5 LB
110860	STRAWBERRY SLICES UNSWT IQF CTN-6/5 LB

Resource | Policy MemosChild Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule: State Agency Discretion for Repeat Meal Pattern Violations Fiscal Action

The purpose of this memorandum is to remind state agencies of discretionary and required fiscal action for meal pattern violations, including the new provision of the Child Nutrition Program Integrity final rule

SP 04-2024

12/01/2023

Resource | Policy MemosChild Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule: Administrative Review & FSMC Review Cycles

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide additional information on the 5-year review cycle provision of the Child Nutrition Program Integrity final rule. This memorandum relates to program-specific changes in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

SP 03-2024

12/01/2023

Resource | Policy MemosRevised: Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the School Meal Programs, CACFP, and SFSP

This memorandum provides updated guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and extends previous guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products to the Summer Food Service Program, as well as to the infant meal pattern in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

SP 02-2024, CACFP 02-2024, SFSP 02-2024

11/29/2023

Resource | Policy MemosProcuring Local Meat, Poultry, Game and Eggs for Child Nutrition Programs

Recently, FNS has received a number of questions related to buying local meat, poultry, game, and eggs; this memorandum seeks to clarify the regulatory requirements related to food safety and answer specific questions related to these products with a series of questions and answers.

SP 01,CACFP 01, SFSP 01-2016

11/20/2023

Nondiscrimination Statement

Spanish-language NDS

OPI Compass Webpage

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.