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Office of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution |
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Kitchen Counter Conversations
Thank you for participating in the September 2026 edition of Kitchen Counter Conversations: What's on the Menu? You can find the recording, as well as the resources discussed during the webinar, in the links below.
These weblinks were discussed in the webinar:
Please log this hour of attendance as Professional Development for the year.
From Standards to Stronger Conversations: Supporting The School Nutrition Wellness Environment
What if understanding the standards could make conversations about school nutrition and the school wellness environment a little easier—and a lot more productive?
Join us for our monthly Kitchen Counter Conversation webinar focused on USDA Smart Snacks standards, local wellness policies, and building support for strong school nutrition programs.
Together, we’ll explore:
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USDA Smart Snacks standards — what they mean and how to confidently put them into practice
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Local wellness policy requirements — understanding the requirements and identifying opportunities to make a positive impact
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Starting the conversation — practical strategies for talking with administrators, school boards, and those involved in purchasing food for school events
This webinar will give you practical talking points, helpful strategies, and greater confidence for navigating these conversations. When we understand the standards and work together, we can create stronger, healthier school environments for everyone.
Come ready to learn, and leave with tools you can put to work right away.
📅 Date: Oct. 20, 2026
🕒 Time: 2 p.m. CDT
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.
We have THREE in-person 6-hour culinary training days to kick off the 2026-27 school year, designed specifically for school nutrition professionals.
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👩🍳 Hands-on culinary experience
🧂 Reducing sodium while maximizing flavor
🍎 Explore the latest meal pattern updates
💰 Earn a $150 incentive payment (for ND School Nutrition Professionals)
🎒 Supplies for a student taste-testing experience
🛠️ Opportunities to apply for specific equipment grants
No cost to register! Pick the day that works best.
It’s Crunch Time! The 2026 North Dakota Crunch Off registration is now open. Events can occur between 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.
Tray of the Month is a fun, optional activity to highlight the delicious meals you serve every day. Submit a high-resolution photo of a full lunch tray (all components, including milk).
For questions or to submit your phot, contact Amanda Olson at amolson@nd.gov before the end of each month to qualify.
Celebrate National School Lunch Week Oct. 12-16, with the theme of 'Cafeteria Circus'. Find more information here: National School Lunch Week - School Nutrition Association
Share your celebration pictures with us at dpicnfd@nd.gov.
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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, and 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, 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: (1) 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; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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