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Welcome Back School Nutrition Heroes!
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As we begin a new school year, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our School Nutrition Heroes across North Dakota. Your work ensures that students are fed, cared for, and ready to learn — and we appreciate everything you do. |
The School Nutrition Association is currently selling '80 Years of Showing Up' t-shirts, as a way to promote school nutrition and your 'why' each day: 80 Years of Showing Up Tee
To operate the School Nutrition Programs successfully and compliantly, districts must ensure two core pillars are supported every day:
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Free & Reduced‑Price Meal Eligibility
Accurate meal eligibility ensures every student receives the benefits they are entitled to. Please review the The Eligibility Manual for School Meals and ensure all determination practices are consistently applied.
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Meeting Federal Meal Pattern Requirements
Every reimbursable meal must meet USDA meal pattern requirements for:
These requirements protect program integrity and student health.
Best Practice: Always use a second set of eyes for both application determinations and menu reviews — especially during back‑to‑school season. Our office is always happy to help review your menus or walk through eligibility questions.
Reminders/Common Questions:
SNP Renewals – Important Deadline
If you have not yet submitted your School Nutrition Program renewal in ND Foods, please complete it by Sept. 1.
Your claims for reimbursement cannot be submitted until the day after your renewal is approved — so completing it early helps avoid delays.
“Date of Submission” vs. “Date of Determination” Clarifying a Common Renewal Question
During busy periods, eligibility applications may sit for a day or two before processing. USDA memo SP 11‑2014 allows flexibility to use the date of submission — rather than the date the application was processed — as the effective eligibility date.
Why this flexibility matters:
- Ensures students don’t miss meal benefits due to processing delays
- Aligns reimbursement with when families actually sought assistance
Implementation Tips:
- Record the submission date clearly
- Apply the policy consistently across all applications
- Keep documentation for administrative review
If you have questions about using this flexibility, please reach out — we’re happy to help.
As you welcome students back into the classroom, it is a great time to plan for your required Professional Development (PD) hours. Keeping your team up-to-date supports program integrity, smooth daily operations, and student safety.
Annual PD Hour Requirements
- Food Service Directors: 12 hours
- Kitchen Site Managers: 10 hours
- Full-Time Food Service Staff: 6 hours
- Part-Time Staff (<20 hours/week): 4 hours
Within the required PD hours, some staff must complete specific trainings each year. Click the links below for training resources.
Don’t forget to document your professional development hours on a PD log which can be found in your Production Records book. We recommend making a copy for each staff member.
We have had multiple questions about training on food allergies. Check out this listing of various food allergy training opportunities.
If you need help identifying approved training or tracking staff hours, contact dpicnfd@nd.gov.
Contact our office if your district needs a copy of a translated Free and Reduced Meal Applications for the National School Lunch Program. The meal applications were previously located on the USDA website and it is not known if translated meal applications will be updated for future years.
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The Free and Reduced Meal Application, Parent Instruction Letter, and Nondiscrimination Statement is available in 49 languages: Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Bosnian, Burmese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Croatian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian, Creole, Hebrew, Hindi, Hmong, Igbo, Ilokano, Iu Mien, Jamaican Creole, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Kru Bassa, Kurdish, Laotian, Marshallese, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Samoan, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Sudanese Arabic, Tagalog, Thai, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Yiddish, and Yoruba
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Notices of Eligibility and Verification are also available in Spanish.
As you begin ASP operations, please review the following compliance reminders:
- Civil Rights Training
ASP staff must receive annual civil rights training. Since ASP personnel often differ from kitchen staff, make sure they receive the required training.
- Program Rules ASP Staff Must Know
- Students must select two components for a reimbursable snack
- Menus must clearly show the two components
- Daily production records are required
- Attendance documentation:
- Non-At-Risk sites: rosters showing who attended and who took a snack
- At-Risk sites: tally counts are allowed
- Required Site Monitoring
Complete the first Site Monitoring Worksheet within the first 4 weeks of ASP operation. Two copies can be found in the front of your ASP production record book.
Fruit & Vegetable Components in ASP
Important Change: Components Must Be Credited Separately
Since 2024, fruit and vegetable components have been separated into two distinct components. A combination of fruit + vegetable cannot be credited together to meet the ¾ cup requirement for one component.
What this means:
You may serve:
- A single fruit OR a mix of fruits to meet the fruit component
- A single vegetable OR a mix of vegetables to meet the vegetable component
You may not serve a mix of fruit and vegetables as one component, even if the total volume equals ¾ cup.
As we kick off a new school year, this is a great time to check in on your Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) funds. Your Aug./Sept. allocation is now available, and it is important to begin using those dollars promptly. Any unused funds from this early allocation cannot be carried over and will be forfeited once the period closes.
To make the most of your allocation, consider planning a variety of fresh produce offerings and introducing new fruits and vegetables to students early in the semester. Starting strong not only supports program compliance but also sets a positive tone for healthy habits throughout the year.
If you need support with menu ideas, ordering guidance, or planning strategies, feel free to reach out to Kellen Leier at knleier@nd.gov or 701-328-2275. Let’s make sure every dollar benefits our students.
If a school food authority (SFA) chooses to offer nondairy beverages, such as fortified, plant-based milks – for example, soy milk – to all students at lunch, those milk substitutes must include, at a minimum, the nutrients listed in the table at 7 CFR 210.10(d)(2)(ii). Fluid milk substitutes must be fortified in accordance with fortification guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration.
Offering nondairy beverages to all students to meet the fluid milk requirement at lunch is an option, not a requirement. If an SFA chooses to offer nondairy beverages to all students, the SFA is no longer required to notify the state agency that it is serving nondairy beverages and students who request a fluid milk substitute for a non-disability reason are no longer required to submit a written statement requesting a nutritionally equivalent fluid milk substitute. If an SFA chooses not to offer nondairy beverages to all students, the process for requesting a fluid milk substitute for a non-disability reason and reporting to the state agency is unchanged and can be found at 7 CFR 210.10(d)(2).
New Reimbursable Meal Posters coming soon!
All North Dakota School Districts will receive 11 x 17 versions via mail later in September. Reimbursable Meal Posters (Breakfast & Lunch) are available in a printable 8.5 x 11 size.
Reimbursable Breakfast Poster
Reimbursable Lunch Poster
*Reminder: a reimbursable meal poster along with the And Justice for All civil rights poster and the most recent health inspection report must be posted in a public facing area, ideally close to the serving line.
Help students make healthy choices in School Year 2026-2027 with The Real Food Guides to School Breakfast and School Lunch for Families. These fact sheets were updated to showcase real, nutrient-dense foods that contribute to a balanced school breakfast and lunch, and align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. School Districts will be receiving marketing materials directly from USDA related to the 'Eat Real Food' campaign.
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Bridge page on the NDDPI Website: (can only be accessed with a @k12.nd.us email) NDDPI Resource Hub - Home - Check the ‘All Resources’ tab and the Child Nutrition Folder for these North Dakota specific documents:
- Point of Sale Reports in Infinite Campus
- State Meal Eligibility (North Dakota) – Configuration and Usage
- Infinite Campus Child Nutrition Setup Checklist.pdf
- FRAM State225 Set Up Event and Action.pdf
All other Infinite Campus resources are available in the Knowledgebase of the Infinite Campus website.
If you have specific FRAM (Free & Reduced Applications Module) questions, feel free to reach out to our office.
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Our annual SNP Technical Assistance Office Hours will be open to any questions related to the School Nutrition Program for the first two weeks of September. All questions are welcome, no matter how big or small, and our experienced team is here to assist you every step of the way. We encourage you to forward this invitation to any staff who assist with the administration of the program.
Each Office Hours session is scheduled for 30 minutes, but if conversation is good and questions are many, we will remain available as long as needed to ensure your issues are fully addressed. NO RSVP is needed, just join the session (or sessions) below. Click the links below to join the sessions:
Office Hours Schedule:
- Tuesdays at 2 p.m. (Sept. 1 & 8)
- Wednesdays at 10 a.m. (Sept. 2 & 9)
- Thursdays at 1 p.m. (Sept. 3 & 10)
What’s on the Menu? Dietary Specification Compliance Check
Join us for a 1-hour webinar on Sept. 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. CDT as we review dietary specifications as required in the USDA meal pattern.
We’ll cover key updates and practical considerations, including:
🧂 Sodium – What’s changing and what you need to know
🍬 Added Sugar – Reviewing the new requirements and how they impact meal planning
📋 Documentation & Resources – A review of updates and available resources, including the Weighted Averages Spreadsheet
Whether you’re looking for a refresher or want to make sure your program is ready for the new school year, this webinar will provide a helpful overview of the changes and resources you need to stay on track. This session will combine information from the Back To School Workshop sessions titled ‘Basics of Dietary Specifications’ and ‘Not Too Sweet; Not Too Salty.’
Date & Time:
📅 Date: Sept. 15, 2026
🕒 Time: 2 p.m. CDT
Seasoning Without the Shaker: A Hands-On Culinary Training | School Year 2026-2027
ND Team Nutrition Culinary Trainings Are Back - Reserve Your Spot Now!
Join us for our first in-person culinary training of the 26-27 SY at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for a 6-hour culinary training designed specifically for school nutrition professionals.
Meal Pattern Modernization: Reducing Sodium Culinary Training – Seasoning Without the Shaker will explore the latest meal pattern updates while focusing on practical, flavorful ways to reduce sodium without sacrificing flavor. Get hands-on in the kitchen as you brush up on culinary techniques, explore seasoning alternatives, and prepare delicious recipes that meet school nutrition dietary specifications.
👩🍳 Hands-on culinary experience
🧂 Reducing sodium while maximizing flavor
🍎 Explore the latest meal pattern updates
💰 Earn a $150 incentive payment
🎒 Supplies for a student taste-testing experience
🛠️ Opportunities to apply for specific equipment grants
No cost to register!
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Trainings in Jamestown, ND and Colton, SD are planned for November – stay tuned for registration details!
Farm to School
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Harvest of the Month: Corn and Sunflowers
Corn and sunflowers are two classic North Dakota crops, and we’re excited to feature them this month!
Corn Nutrition Facts
One medium ear of sweet corn equals about ½ cup of starchy vegetables in the meal pattern. Sweet corn provides fiber, B vitamins, and folate—all important for healthy growth and digestion.
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Sunflower Fun Facts
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Tray of the Month
This fun activity aims to highlight school nutrition and the amazing work you do to feed students. It’s a fun way to showcase the delicious meals you serve. This is an optional activity. Please participate if you feel inspired 😊
- You can submit a photo corresponding to the theme each month. Photos are due on at the end of the month.
Criteria: You can take a picture of a full lunch on a plate or tray (all meal components, full tray showcased).
- The photo is a close-up of the tray and is well-lit. Any students in the photo should have a photo release form signed. We will assume that you went through the proper protocol for that photo release form.
- Lunch or breakfast meets monthly theme - one-photo limit, except for October and May (two themes, two photos allowed).
You can submit your photo to Amanda Olson at amolson@nd.gov before the end of each month to qualify. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda.
Here are the next couple of monthly lineups for Tray of the Month initiative:
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September - Corn: Kernels, cobs, popped, roasted or in your favorite casserole or menu item. Snap a pic of your corn creation by Sept. 30.
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October - Farm to School Month & NSLP Week: "Cafeteria Circus" is the theme for NSLP week. Celebrate Farm to School Month with local foods—2 submissions allowed for the two themes. Pictures are due Oct. 30.
It’s Crunch Time! The 2026 North Dakota Crunch Off runs Oct. 1-31. This event celebrates local foods, supports farmers and ranchers, and promotes more fruits and veggies on our plates. Our goal: 80,000 bites into local foods!
🥒 How to Participate Anyone can join—schools, childcare centers, businesses, organizations, and families. Just crunch into fresh fruits and vegetables while supporting producers who feed us.
🥕 Eligible Crunch Items
- Locally-grown or raised: fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts, popcorn, and meat (beef, pork, poultry, lamb, jerky, roasts, etc.).
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Not included: liquids (milk/juice), purchased value-added items (like salsa, ice cream, sauces), grains, or deep-fried foods.
- Scratch-made, value-added items do count. An example may include: local cucumbers with scratch-made tzatziki (the cucumbers count as your 'crunch' item).
- Regionally grown foods from programs like DOD Fresh or USDA Foods are also accepted. Even if you can’t find something local to bite into, you can still participate and register the event to help promote healthy eating habits.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Events can occur between Oct. 1-31.
Registration link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/Da5MT8xVTf
Event ideas: School & Childcare Events
- 🥕Lunchtime Crunch – Host a special lunch featuring local produce, then all students crunch together at the same time.
- 🍏Classroom Taste Tests – Teachers bring in local apples, cucumbers, or snap peas for students to taste and vote on their favorites.
- 🎨Veggie Art Contest – Kids create artwork using local fruits and veggies, then do a big group crunch.
- 📚Storytime Crunch – Pair a farm to school themed storybook with a crunch snack in early childhood classrooms.
Community & Workplace Events
- 🥒Community Crunch Day – Partner with libraries, farmers markets, or parks for a public group crunch.
- 🍿Popcorn & Movie Crunch – Show a family-friendly movie and hand out locally grown popcorn for the crunch moment.
- 🥩Farm-to-Fork BBQ or Picnic – Feature local foods, then gather everyone for a crunch at once.
- 👩🌾Meet the Farmer Crunch – Invite a local grower to share their story, then crunch on their produce together.
Creative & Competitive Ideas
- 🥦Crunch Challenge – Each classroom, workplace department, or community group logs their crunch numbers, competing for the largest participation.
- 📸Crunch Selfie Contest – Encourage participants to snap a picture or video of their crunch and share on social media with the Crunch Off hashtag.
- 🎶Musical Crunch – Pair the crunch with music or a countdown over the intercom.
- 🏫Principal/Mayor Crunch – Invite a community leader or school principal to lead the group crunch
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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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