February 9, 2024   

ODE MEMOS

• School Food Authority Survey Announcement

USDA MEMOS

• SP 05-2024 Implementation Guidance for the Rural Non-congregate Option Provisions of the Interim Final Rule, Establishing the Summer EBT Program and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer Meal Programs

ODE USDA Foods Ordering Period for School Year 2024-25

It is that time of year! February doesn’t just bring Punxsutawney Phil to check out his shadow – it also brings the ODE USDA Foods Ordering for the next school year. The ODE USDA Foods webpage has been updated. You will find the tools and resources you need for a successful ordering period in the SY24-25 Ordering Resources section.

Among the items you will find in that section:

• The December 18 memo, ODE USDA Foods Ordering Schedule for School Year 2024-2025 – National School Lunch Program, including WBSCM Ordering training opportunities
• ODE USDA Foods Available List (Direct Delivery)
• ODE USDA Processing Material List
• Direct Delivery Order Planner
• Processing Order Planner
• DoD Fresh and UVFP Entitlement Set Aside Forms (due by March 15, 2024)
• WBSCM Instructions for Reports
• WBSCM Ordering Training PowerPoint

The Ordering Period in WBSCM opens February 12, 2024, and closes March 15, 2024. And, new this year, there will be an ‘On Call’ period in April, reserved for ODE to contact RAs for spending remaining entitlement (as needed).

When WBSCM opens February 12^th, please log in and run the SY2025 Entitlement Summary Report to view your Beginning Entitlement amount for school year 2024-2025. If you need assistance with WBSCM login, please email ode.fooddistribution@ode.oregon.gov

For full details, please visit the ODE Food Distribution Program webpage or send an email to ode.fooddistribution@ode.oregon.gov. 

The ODE USDA Foods Distribution team looks forward to working with you for another successful year!

    School Nutrition Association (SNA) Awards

SNA 2024 Awards are Open! Please nominate an outstanding director, manager, or employee in your district! We will announce winners at our OSNA state conference March 15th-16th! Submission Deadline is March 1st. To nominate, click on the link for each award category which will take you to the form. You will need to create a "submittable" account to access the nomination form and submit. 

Director of the Year Award

The Director of the Year award recognizes school nutrition directors for the contributions they have made throughout their school nutrition careers. Self-nominations are accepted for this award.

The nominee must be:

• Currently and for the past three years a School Nutrition Director at the school district level
• Currently and for the past three years a SNA member in the District Director or Major City Director sections

The nominee must also have:

• Served in at least one position on the state or national executive board OR as a member on a state or national committee

Employee of the Year Award

The Employee of the Year award recognizes non-managerial school nutrition employees for the contributions they have made throughout their school nutrition careers. Self-nominations are accepted for this award.

The nominee must be:

• Currently be an SNA member in the School Nutrition or Child Care Employee section
• Currently be employed in a school foodservice or childcare nutrition program
• Currently be employed in a non-managerial role in the school nutrition profession, such as cook, baker, cashier, assistant, etc. awards deadline

Manager of the Year Award

The Manager of the Year award, in honor of Louise Sublette, recognizes school nutrition managers for the contributions they have made throughout their school nutrition careers. Self-nominations are accepted for this award.

The nominee must be:

• Currently an SNA member in the Foodservice/Nutrition Manager/Head Cook/Assistant Manager section
• Assigned to one school OR to a central kitchen that serves multiple schools
• Currently acts as manager, head cook, or assistant manager and is assigned to one school OR to a central kitchen that serves multiple schools

Click here for more information about each award category!

Oregon School Nutrition Association (OSNA) State Conference and Food Expo

Come join with your Oregon school lunch professional colleagues at OSNA’s 2024 State Conference and Food & Equipment Expo, March 15-16, at the Salem Convention Center and ride the wave of new ideas, insights and innovations in school foodservice to benefit your K-12 meal program! This year’s theme is “Breaking Out of Your Shell.”

Register on-line here

For more information, including program and events, see the OSNA State Conference webpage.

National School Breakfast Week

March 4-9, 2024

National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the national School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.

• About National Breakfast Week
• Plan your National School Breakfast Week Celebration Resources

Kitchen Chat

Happy New Year! Here’s a quick reminder about resources available to you and your team. Start 2024 off with video with refreshers for meal planning, nutrition, equipment use, team building and much more! Check out previous Virtual Culinary Trainings presented by ODE and Oregon Dairy Council, access resources and try new recipes.  Plus, check out other great ideas from the Institute of Child Nutrition. These resources are specific for the various child nutrition programs such as schools, CACFP, and Summer. The recordings can be watched individually or as a team at no charge. Institute of Child Nutrition iLearn

Questions, suggestions or successes to share? Contact Jessica Visinsky, Jessica.visinsky@ode.oregon.gov  or Crista Hawkins, chawkins@odncouncil.org

           Breakfast After the Bell (BAtB)

SY 23-24 Breakfast After the Bell Equipment Grant

 The 2023 Breakfast After the Bell (BAtB) Equipment subgrants have been processed through the  Electronic Grants Management System (EGMS).   As a reminder, July 10, 2024, is the last day to submit claim documentation and EGMS claim as per your executed agreement.  Please follow these instructions on how to claim: 

1. Submit your BAtB Equipment Grant Reimbursement form and invoice to schoolnutrition@ode.oregon.gov.
2. Upon approval of your claim, enter your claim through Follow the EGMS External User Guide for steps on how to enter your claim. 

If you have questions regarding the BatB Equipment grant, please contact Laura Allran at laura.allran@ode.oregon.gov.

How to Increase Breakfast Participation

Kids with access to healthy breakfast learn better. Communities of color and economically marginalized communities suffer disproportionately when it comes to food insecurity. These resource pages can help you to promote equity in food access and health:

• Conversation Starters for Designing More Inclusive School Meals Programs
• Planning with Purpose - An Equity Diversity & Inclusion Checklist
• Equity in Child Nutrition - resources

Recipes: 

Thinking ahead for Valentines Recipes?  Here are two Food Hero recipe ideas for Valentine’s Day breakfast that also highlight Oregon foods:

• Cherry Oat Crumble served with yogurt
• Baked Berry Oatmeal

Both could also be served with Cranberry Applesauce for a festive breakfast!

Fun Ideas?  Please share your ideas, what’s working well, and any questions with us any time. Crista Hawkins and Laura Allran.