January 2026 Announcements
Annual Self-Review: Meal Counting & Claiming System
Please complete the Self-Review of Breakfast and Lunch Meal Counting and Claiming System which must be conducted before February 1st annually and maintained on file. The purpose of this review is for the district to ensure that the school's claim for reimbursement is based on an acceptable meal counting system that yields the actual number of reimbursable free, reduced-price and paid breakfast and lunch meals served for each day of operation.
Reminder that reimbursable meal counts must be taken at the point of service (POS) where complete meals are served to children (usually at the end of the meal service line where someone is ensuring that a reimbursable meal has been selected).
The following methods for taking meal counts are NOT acceptable:
- attendance records or morning meal counts
- tray counts
- cash converted to meals
- free, reduced or paid meals backed out of total meal count
- counting/claiming number of meals ordered rather than number of meals served
If the self-review discloses problems with a school’s meal counting and claiming procedures or general review areas, the school food authority (SFA) must ensure that the school implements corrective action, and within 45 days of the review, conduct a follow-up on-site review to determine that the corrective action resolved the problems.
Please be guided by the Meal Counting Requirements Resource and the SNP Annual Checklist.
Press Release
December 16, 2025
Media Contacts:
Producer Partnership
Matt Pierson, Founder & President (406) 220-7223
Jeri Delys, Program Manager (406) 880-4080 jeri@producerpartnership.com
Producer Partnership Makes 3 Grants Totaling $23,610
Livingston, MT – December 16, 2025
The Producer Partnership has awarded $23,610 in matching grants to three school districts in Montana.
These awards represent matching grant funds with a two-year lead gift from AMB West Foundation in addition to other funders; the funds are administered and awarded by the Producer Partnership.
Producer Partnership:
The Producer Partnership was founded in 2020 as a way for neighbors to help each other during Covid. The simple idea of donating local protein has resulted in the first USDA federally inspected nonprofit owned and operated meat processing facility in the United States.
“The matching freezer grant program was initiated to help school districts across Montana who do not have adequate freezer storage space to store cull animal donations from local farmers and ranchers. Cull animal donations are processed into top-quality protein at no charge by the Producer Partnership. We are honored that AMB West Foundation and other generous funders work with us to provide matching grant funds for school districts to purchase freezers to store donated protein for their school meal programs. We are excited about this two-year grant making program and the positive impact it will make in bringing local protein to the lunchroom in schools across the state.” Matt Pierson, Founder and President
Schools Awarded Matching Grant Funds
Dixon School District
Ennis School District
Rau School District
About the Producer Partnership
The Producer Partnership was founded in Spring, 2020 with the mission to end hunger in Montana. The nonprofit organization partners with livestock producers across the state by processing donated livestock into top-quality protein at no charge and providing it to food banks, schools, senior centers, and other nonprofit organizations to help those in need. This is the spirit of Montana neighbors helping one another. Since its founding, the Producer Partnership has donated nearly 350,000 pounds of Montana-raised animal protein to Montana Food Bank Network and other charities as well as schools across the Big Sky State. For more information, visit https://www.producerpartnership.com/
2025 Turnip the Beet Awards & Informational Webinar
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is pleased to share the 2025 Turnip the Beet Nomination Packet [fns.usda.gov]. The Turnip the Beet Awards recognize outstanding Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer children high-quality meals that are appetizing, appealing, and nutritious during the summer months. This supports Agriculture Secretary Rollins’ commitment to encouraging healthy choices, healthy outcomes, and healthy families.
Nominations must be sent by the State agency to the appropriate FNS Regional Office by Friday, January 23, 2026. Additionally, FNS will be hosting a webinar. Details below.
More information can be found on the Turnip the Beet webpage [fns.usda.gov].
USDA Foods Shipment 6 |
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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.
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