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Is time flying because you are having fun? (or because you have too much to do)? This school year will be wrapping up soon and there are some questions you are asking already. Here are some answers.
Year End Fund Balance for the 05 School Foodservice Account
North Dakota has approved the six-month operating expense carryover to help the school foodservice account stay in the black through these uncertain times. The ending fund balance should have no more than six-months of operating funds or the paperwork related to "Excess Funds" will be put on your desk. Calculate how much that six-month operating expense carryover is by dividing the total school foodservice account expenses by nine and multiplying the answer by six. The next step is to compare that six-month operating expense that can be carried over to the ending balance of the 05 foodservice account. If the ending balance is larger than the six-months of operating expense, the school has an ‘excess fund balance’ and must put a plan into place to spend down the excess.
Procurement for Next year
Anything purchased using school foodservice funds must have procurement documentation available for review: 2 CFR 200.318(i) If you have any questions about what procurement documents are needed, even how to conduct procurement for any level of purchase, please reach out to our office so we can get you on the right track for next year.
Two health inspections are required at every site preparing and/or serving school meals. If you have not seen your health inspector for the second time this year (or even the first time!), please make contact soon so you are on the schedule.
Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) Second monitoring
Every year, those operating the afterschool snack program must complete the onsite monitoring worksheet twice. The first must be completed sometime during the first four weeks of operation while the second one can be completed any time before the end of program operation. Now is a great time to get that done before the end of the year excitement begins. Find two copies of this sheet in the front of the red-covered snack production record book.
The first, second and third USDA memos were recapped in the March newsletter. We have now received numbers four and five for the school year. Find all memos in their entirety on our website, under the Updates tab.
USDA Memo SP04-2026 is a reminder that the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) election deadline is June 30, 2026, however your numbers are based on April 1, 2026, identified student population (ISP) numbers. Please check your direct certification lists to make sure that every possible student has the benefits they are entitled to and, if your numbers are high enough, crunch the numbers to possibly offer a ‘universally free meal program’ through CEP next year.
USDA Memo SP05-2026 has a number of annual reminders for program operation, including:
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Crediting Vegetables at Breakfast: Schools do not have to make any vegetable subgroups for the remainder of this year through school year 2026-2027. (Breakfast ONLY.)
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Do not use any Chicken or Seafood produced or processed in China: This is a companion to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids memo that also prohibits Chinese procured milk.
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Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) requirements remain the same as the last few years: Only schools with a negative school foodservice fund balance at the end of the last year (June 30, 2025) is required to establish student lunch prices based on the Paid Lunch Equity requirements. If you have a zero or positive balance, the school is exempt.
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A reminder that each school kitchen AND service area is required to receive at least two health inspections during each school year. Please contact your local health inspector if you are short one or even two at this time.
REMINDER to schools, if you would like to offer summer meals this summer, please submit applications in NDFoods between April 1-30. If you operated last year, your school would receive a notice to renew. If you did not operate summer meals last summer, please contact our office to apply. To find out if your school is eligible to operate SFSP and current meal reimbursement rates, check out the 2026 Site Eligibility List and the 2026 Meal Reimbursement Rates which are both published on the NDDPI website.
Join us for SFSP Office Hours during the month of April on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Central Time where we will answer questions about applying for the program, discuss new policies and requirements for this summer. Please consider joining at least one session if you will be a program operator this summer.
We are happy to provide, upon request, certificates for 10 years of service and for every 5-year interval after that. We also provide awards upon retirement at the request of the school district.
These are quality certificates of appreciation signed by our director, Lynelle Johnson, and North Dakota State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier.
If you would like years of service certificates for eligible school foodservice employees, please complete the Years of Service Request form and return it to our office either by e-mail vlsilva@nd.gov or fax (701-328-9566) no later than Thursday, April 16, 2026. Please check your staff list now and submit your requests as soon as possible to ensure early delivery.
Certificates will be mailed out no later than Monday, April 20. Please check the certificates and immediately notify our office if there are any discrepancies. It is suggested that the certificates be presented to your foodservice personnel on School Lunch Hero Day, Friday, May 1, 2026, or during School Nutrition Employee Week, April 27–May 1, 2026.
Should you have questions about the Years of Service Awards, please call Victoria Silva at 701-328-2294 or toll-free at 1-888-338-3663.
More ways to honor your staff during the School Nutrition Employee Week can be found on the School Nutrition Association (SNA) website at School Lunch Hero Day resources
We have heard from a few kitchen staff that there seems to be little time to complete production records at the end of the day. If you feel this OR hear it from staff, look through the following tips to help get these very important, official and legal government documents done each day.
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Prefill: Menus, portion sizes and separate components along with the brand/manufacture’s item number or recipe number that will be used for the menu as soon as the menu has been published—for the entire month, if possible. This is a helpful first check to ensure that all components will be offered.
- This includes the fresh vegetable bar (salad bar), if offered.
- Then it is easy to record:
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On the day of service (before prep begins):
- How many cases of each food item were pulled for the day’s service, and
- How many students/adults are being prepped for
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After service:
- Leftovers
- How many students/adults were actually served
- Use a cycle menu—the “pre-fill” process would be done once for the year, then copied for the remaining times the cycle is completed.
- Some schools cut the paper menu apart and tape it into the production record square. Make sure that all menu items are listed, however.
- Delegate as much as possible. Once areas are prefilled, those pulling cases or filling the salad bar can add the quantities they were responsible for.
- If production records are kept on/in computer files, it may be helpful to print them out for easy staff recordkeeping.
Reminder: The meal Production Record books are official school district documents. They are needed to prove that a reimbursable meal was served and should match the claim for reimbursement each day.
Authorized Reps must have the Production books available at any time for three years plus the current year of operation.
These books should not be taken home. If permission is given to take them off student campus from time to time, the Authorized Rep should check to ensure they are brought back. These are school property. Claims for reimbursement may be denied or taken back if the production record is not available for any meal.
We will not host an Across the Desk during the month of April. We will resume with a final Across the Desk for the 25-26 School Year in May!
🕒 Time: 2 p.m. CDT
May topics will include:
- End of the Year updates and reminders
- Meal pricing
- PLE tool
- Non-program revenue tool
- Upcoming training and events
- SNP Renewals
- Bridge updates
Recipe Standardization for School Kitchens
Standardized recipes are the backbone of successful school meal programs. In this session, we’ll talk about how to create, adjust, and document recipes so they deliver consistent quality, accurate meal pattern crediting, and predictable yields every time they’re served.
Whether you're updating old favorites or adding new menu items, this conversation will help you build recipes that work every time—no surprises on service day.
🕒 Time: 2 p.m. CDT
Bring your questions, and your favorite recipes. We’ll see you at the Kitchen Counter!
Did you miss it the first time around?!
Join us in person for a day filled with learning and delicious food. This event will focus on the latest updates in meal patterns, with special emphasis on reducing added sugars. Our culinary training will provide hands-on experience and tips for creating delicious recipes that fit the meal pattern's dietary specifications.
No cost to register!
We are hosting our Added Sugar Intensive & Culinary Training two final times. This is an all-day training starting at 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Pick either April 8, in Wahpeton OR May 6, in Jamestown.
North Dakota School Nutrition Professionals who complete the training and earn a $75 incentive payment as a thank you for your participation. Participating districts will be eligible to apply for equipment subgrants of up to $5,000 to support program implementation.
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge. Register now to secure your spot!
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Farm to School
Harvest of the Month: Soybeans
We’re kicking off April with a bite into soy foods. Soybeans are such versatile seeds and plants. From food to fuel, soybeans are a remarkable crop! Soy foods are also nourishing. Check out how NDSCS soy recipe winners used this versatile food in their creative recipes. If you feature any recipes with soy foods this month, or even serve soy milk or yogurt, send us a picture of it for April Tray of the Month!
North Dakota Soybean Council | 2025 NDSCS Soy Recipe Winners
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Tray of the Month
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Bottineau Public School is CROWNED as the winner of the March Tray of the Month.
All hail the queens of the school cafeteria
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Bottineau Public School crowned for March Tray of the Month
Let’s keep celebrating the creativity and hard work happening in your cafeterias! Tray of the Month is a fun, optional activity to highlight the delicious meals you serve every day.
✔️ How to Enter
- Submit a high-resolution photo of a full lunch tray(all components + milk).
- Make sure the photo is well-lit and focused.
- Students and staff may be included—just ensure photo release forms are handled through your district’s process.
- Submit your photo to Amanda Olson at amolson@nd.gov
🌟 2026 Themes: Get Ready to Shine!
April—Soybean & Soy Foods Month
Feature soy based ‑foods like yogurt, milk, edamame, soy sauce, or tofu. Due: April 30
🥩 May—Beef Month & School Lunch Hero Day
Show off your favorite beef dish (extra points for local beef!) or your School Lunch Hero Day décor. Up to two submissions allowed. Due: May 29
Farm to School Cookbook: We Want to Feature Your Recipes!
We’re building North Dakota’s Farm to School Cookbook, and we’d love to feature your favorite school recipes! Whether it’s a student favorite, a creative local foods dish, or a classic you’ve perfected over the years—send it our way please.
It’s perfectly fine to send us recipes that aren’t using complete 100% local foods.
🍽️ What We’re Looking For
- Your favorite recipes to showcase in the cookbook.
- A photo of the finished dish on a tray or serving line (if possible). You can still send if no photo is available.
- Recipes will include a credit notation for you and your school.
This is a great way to highlight your team’s creativity, celebrate school nutrition, and inspire other schools across the state.
Ready to share your culinary magic? We can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up! Please send recipes and/or photos of the dish to Amanda Olson at amolson@nd.gov.
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Grant Opportunities
CNFD Garden Grant update: We are currently scoring applications for the 2026 School and Childcare Garden Grant and will announce awards in April.
Health Innovation Grants are projects or programming proposals that are new or expanding, innovative and could be replicated by others if found successful. These grants are not intended to simply support current mission work or programming.
A Health Innovation Grant could include, but is not limited to:
- Implement homeless and behavioral health prevention services through care coordination.
- Expanding farm-to-school program providing access to local fresh foods, hands-on learning and a space to grow a positive relationship with food.
- Launching a recovery education program to reduce stigma.
The next round of proposals and applications are due August 31, 2026.
Health Innovation Grants | BCBSND
Celebrate Beef Month with School Lunch in May!
The North Dakota Beef Commission is bringing back their fun and engaging program to promote BEEF MONTH this May. Register for your kit to help promote one beef meal at your school this May. Deadline to sign up is April 20. Participating staff with also have a chance to be entered into drawing for a cooler! Your meal doesn’t have to include local beef to qualify for the kits. Make sure to sign up for the number of staff that help in your cafeteria!
New Kitchen Manager 'Boot Camp':
Are you new to your role as the Lead Food Service Worker? Attend our New Kitchen Manager Boot Camp to learn the basics of operating your School Nutrition Program as well as being more confident in your record keeping requirements.
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Date: Wednesday June 3, through Thursday, June 4, 2026
Location: Pioneer Room of the State Capitol building in Bismarck
No cost to register!
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Growing Connections: Farm to Child Nutrition Seminar:
Join us for a day of cultivating partnerships for healthy kids and thriving farms - connecting local food with education and nutrition.
Location: North Dakota State Capitol—Brynhild Haugland Room-Bismarck, ND
Date: Thursday, June 25 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Registration is free and lunch will be provided!
Join us for an exciting in-person seminar all about connecting the dots between local food and child nutrition! Discover tips, share ideas, and learn how local food can make a big difference in kids' lives. Whether you're a producer, educator, parent, or just curious—this event is packed with useful information about programs happening in North Dakota. Don't miss out on this chance to grow your knowledge and make lasting connections!
2026 Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Back to School Workshop (BTSW):
Registration is now open! An agenda will be coming soon. Be sure to join us for a day full of the most up-to-date information about School Nutrition Programs for the coming year.
Fargo
Date: Thursday, July 30
Location: Hilton Garden Inn
Cost: $45
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Minot
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 5
Location: Sleep Inn
Cost: $45
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Bismarck
Date: Thursday, Aug. 6
Location: University of Mary – Lumen Vitae University Center
Cost: $45
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Bottineau Public School: The Quest for School Breakfast decorations
Enderlin Area School: The Quest for School Breakfast, Community Guests
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NDDPI Child Nutrition and Food Distribution
Main Office:
600 E. Boulevard Ave, Dept 201
Bismarck, ND 58505
PHONE: 701-328-2294 or 888-338-3663
FAX: 701-328-9566
Email: dpicnfd@nd.gov
Mayville Office:
14 Main St E, Mayville, ND 58257
PHONE: 701-788-8901 or 888-788-8901
Website: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/districtsschools/child-nutrition-and-food-distribution
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- fax: 202-690-7442; or
- email: Program.Intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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