FDPIR Food Package Enhancements and New Foods
During the 2022 NAFDPIR Conference, FNS presented opportunities to enhance the FDPIR food package to ensure nutrition equity and alignment with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). In collaboration with the FDPIR Food Package Review Workgroup, we are excited to implement several food package enhancements summarized below which are effective September 1, 2023.
How Will the Upcoming Guide Rate Enhancements Affect AIS and IFMS?
FNS will update IFMS and AIS in time for the September 1, 2023, implementation date. Tribes using Sygnal are responsible for updating their system in preparation for the changes.
Take 5! The FDPIR Food Package Gets a Protein Boost
Beginning September 1, 2023, FDPIR participants will now be able to take 5 units of meat, poultry, and fish, an increase of 2 units per person per month. Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, supplying calories, B vitamins and minerals, and serving as building blocks for the structure and function of the body. Since animal and plant proteins each offer different nutrients, it is important to eat a wide variety of protein-rich foods to keep the body working well.
The increase to the meat, poultry, and fish category supports participants taking a variety of proteins, but also encourages members to take something new! For example, if 3 units were typically used towards 1 lb. packs of ground beef or bison, use the two additional units to take fish, poultry, or pork chops.
Don't forget, bison stew meat will be available in the food package beginning September 1, 2023! This lean protein comes in a two-pound package and is treated as 1 unit. Not sure how to prepare bison stew meat? Check out the product information sheet for more information!
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Dried Egg Mix or Shell Eggs? Increase in Egg Category Provides More Options
Choosing between shell eggs or dried egg mix will no longer be a dilemma! Beginning September 1, 2023, each participant will be able to take any combination of eggs up to 2 units per person, per month. For example, a one-person household will be able to take 2 cartons of shell eggs, or 4 packages of dried egg mix, or 1 carton of shell eggs and 2 packages of dried egg mix.
 Eaten on their own or in a sweet or savory recipe, eggs are a delicious and nutritious protein option for any meal! For more information on nutrition and recipe ideas, check out the product information sheets for dried egg mix and shell eggs. Interested in how to order shell eggs if you do not already? Please contact your FNS Regional Office for more information.
Bring Home the Veggies!
Beginning September 1, 2023, participants will be able to take any combination of fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables up to 18 units per person, per month. This is an increase of 5 units of vegetables per person. This enhancement allows all participants to take a maximum of 18 units of vegetables and 20 units of fruit per person, per month without having to exchange their fruit to get more veggies.
FNS informed the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) of the increase to the vegetable category to prepare for the increase in orders for fresh fruits and vegetables. Tribes that do not participate in the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and would like to order fresh produce or shell eggs should contact their FNS Regional Office.
Wondering how to add more vegetables to your family’s mealtime routine? Check out MyPlate Kitchen’s vegetable recipes!
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USDA Foods Nutrition Education Resource Library: Coming August 2023!
In response to the national request for ready-to-use nutrition education materials for FDPIR nutrition education activities, FNS and partnering agency Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners (OKTEP), created nearly 90 resources including factsheets, brochures, magnets, and more that will be available to order for free through the USDA Foods Nutrition Education Resource Library!
The USDA Foods Nutrition Education Resource Library will be available to accept orders beginning in August 2023. All resources are available free of charge and will be delivered directly to Tribes participating in FDPIR. FDPIR Program Operators should check the site regularly as new resources will be added to the online library through the end of the year.
Stay tuned for the official announcement soon!
June FDPIR Consultation: USDA and Tribal Leaders Consultation Work Group Meet in Tulsa, OK
On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, USDA FNS staff and Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean attended an FDPIR and CSFP Consultation with the Tribal Leaders Consultation Work Group (TLCWG) in Tulsa, Oklahoma. FNS is very appreciative of the opportunity to work with the TLCWG to cover topics such as USDA DoD Fresh, the FDPIR self-determination demonstration project, current FDPIR studies and evaluations, and the proposed rulemaking titled Food Distribution Programs: Improving Access and Parity. For CSFP, meeting topics included the CSFP food package and guide rate and the CSFP administrative funding and caseload process.
Pictured, Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean with members of the NAFDPIR Board.
Community Nutrition Champion Trainings: Success Across the Country
By: Teresa Jackson, Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners (OKTEP), Stillwater, OK
Greetings from Indian Country! We have been traveling across the lower 48 for Community Nutrition Champion Training (CNCT), also known as the FDPIR Nutrition Paraprofessional Training.
Our first stop was in the Southwest: Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we trained 13 Champions from 11 tribal nations.
 We then headed northeast to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we trained 8 Champions from 5 tribal nations.
 Next, was a trip to the High Plains: Rapid City, South Dakota, where we trained 10 Champions from 5 tribal nations.
 In mid-July, we headed to the Pacific Northwest: Bellingham, Washington, for a training with 14 Champions from 14 tribal nations.
CNCT is all about community nutrition and the Champions we meet. CNCT has been developed to include cultural and traditional practices that support wellbeing and resilience. CNCT also uses real life situations and examples, hands-on skills training by credible role models, and facilitated discussions throughout the training. In addition to all of that, we have fun! The shared stories and laughter have been one of my favorite parts of the trainings. We have learned just as much from the Champions as I hope they are learning from us. The team including Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kelli Begay, Teresa Jackson, and Tiffany Grant are pictured above.
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CNCT is grounded in MyPlate nutrition, food safety, cooking, and recipe basics. We work as a team to read food labels and modify a recipe before planning, conducting, and actually doing a cooking demonstration. We know not everyone will want to go back home and do cooking demonstrations at their programs, but all the skills gained during training can be used in various nutrition education activities that are specific to your FDPIR programs and the families you serve.
In September, we’re headed to Alaska for a training with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) friends. We’re excited, and we’ll be sure to share more pictures at NAFDPIR. We’re also planning to share our training plans for FY24 (October 2023 – September 2024). Thank you to those who filled out the survey to provide feedback on the time of year and locations. More to come from the traveling CNCT team.
New Foods! Bison Stew Meat and Frozen Strawberries
The FDPIR Food Package Review Workgroup identified five foods that were most desired by program participants to add to the food package. Two of these foods will be offered as part of the FDPIR Guide Rate Enhancements effective September 1, 2023.
Bison stew meat in a 2 lb. frozen package will be added to the food package in the meat, poultry, and fish category and will be treated as 1 unit. Bison is a healthy source of protein and other nutrients such as B vitamins and iron, and it is a traditional food for some Tribes.
Frozen strawberries in a 1 lb. package will be added to the food package in the fruit and juice category and will be treated as 1 unit. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, and frozen fruits can help participants get their recommended amount of fruits and vegetables when fresh fruits are not available.
More information about these foods, including recipes on how to prepare these items, are available here.
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Let’s Talk About Shell Egg Safety!
Do you receive shell eggs? Do you know the best practices to keep them safe? If not, look no further! The following tips will help you safely receive, store and handle shell eggs.
How to Safety Receive and Store Shell Eggs
When you receive shell eggs, be sure to check the temperature of the delivery unit by using a stem thermometer and placing it inside of the unit. To do this, complete the following steps:
- Crack the door open and quickly place the stem thermometer inside. Be sure to complete this step quickly so air does not escape and affect the temperature of the unit.
- Close the door and allow approximately 10 minutes for the stem thermometer to adjust to the inside temperature of the unit.
- Crack the door, retrieve the thermometer, and close the door fully. Immediately read the stem thermometer for its temperature, which should read 45° F or below.
- When storing, be sure shell eggs are kept at a temperature of 45° F or below.
For additional information, review the Proper Temperature Assessment when Receiving Deliveries of Shell Eggs video, and this resource from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
How to Safety Store and Handle Shell Eggs at Home
Households should keep shell eggs at a temperature of 40° F or below to maintain quality and safety. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to use. Do not leave eggs out of the refrigerator for any length of time. Discard eggs that are cracked. For more information on food safety and refrigerated foods, check out this factsheet.
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eAuth Changes Impacting WBSCM, IFMS, FFAVORS, and FPRS
In the coming months, an update to the USDA eAuth service will accept new logon options through Login.gov for external users to access USDA applications and resources, including WBSCM, IFMS, FFAVORS, and FPRS, and to allow for multi-factor authentication (MFA) for secure access. This process will be rolled out first to new external registrants and will fully transition to all external users at a later date. More information on the upcoming transition is available on the eAuth website.
WBSCM User Feedback Sessions
FNS has begun hosting monthly WBSCM user feedback sessions for State agency and Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) users. Recipient and local agencies are also invited to attend. These sessions are an opportunity to identify challenges and opportunities for potential enhancements and future trainings in WBSCM. The first meeting was held in May 2023; the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 3 PM ET. If you are interested in participating in future sessions, please contact Samantha Escamilla.
USDA will be participating in these upcoming meetings in 2023. We look forward to meeting you and hope to see you there!
- NAFDIPR 34th Annual Conference: August 13-18, 2023, Kansas City, MO.
- Native American Nutrition Conference: September 10 – 12, 2023, Prior Lake, MN
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