School Nutrition Announcements July 30, 2021

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School Nutrition Announcements July 30, 2021


2021-22 School Year Seamless Summer Option Coming Soon!

Thank you for your patience while we are preparing MAPS for 2021-22 school year applications.

For School Year 2021-22, schools have the option to operate the new Seamless Summer Option, SSO, or continue to operate the National School Lunch Program, NSLP (program comparison chart). Montana Office of Public Instruction is currently making administrative and technology changes to existing systems to accommodate the SSO. 

The big things for the Seamless Summer Option, SSO, for SY 2021-22 are:

  • SSO is a combination of the NSLP & SFSP programs.
  • SSO follows the same nutritious NSLP/SBP meal pattern requirements not SFSP meal pattern.
  • Meals will be free to all kids if schools decide to operate SSO, but NSLP is still an option for schools to operate instead.
  • Reduced Paperwork: Free and Reduced applications are not required for families to fill out to receive free meals if school is operating SSO. The USDA has released a guide with recommendations for Allocating Title I Funds without School Meal Data.
  • The higher reimbursement rate that was offered for SFSP is being allowed for SSO during SY2021-22.
  • All the waivers that allow flexibility in meal service set up are being continued (non-congregate, meal service times, parent pick up, no offer vs serve requirement for high school lunch, and meal pattern flexibilities). However, schools will need to re-opt into waivers again as needed for SY2021-22 via a Google Form available soon.

2021-22 School Year CEP Eligibility

ISP Data for Potential CEP Eligibility 


Offering Smoothies as Part of Reimbursable School Meals

USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative is pleased to announce the release of a new training guide for school nutrition professionals titled “Offering Smoothies as Part of Reimbursable School Meals Grades Kindergarten Through 12 (K-12).”

Developed as a complement to Memo SP 40-2019 “Smoothies Offered in Child Nutrition Programs [fns.usda.gov],” this publication includes menu planning ideas, crediting tips for both homemade and commercially-prepared smoothies, and sample menus to show schools how smoothies can be offered as part of a reimbursable school breakfast or lunch. 

School Meals operators will also find a new standardized Peach and Yogurt Smoothie recipe and success stories that show how schools around the country have offered smoothies at breakfast and lunch.

This publication can be viewed and downloaded from https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/offering-smoothies-part-reimbursable-school-meals [fns.usda.gov].


Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program – State Implementation Progress Report to Congress – SY 2017-2018 & SY 2018-2019

Now available on the FNS Website for State Agency reference and information is the Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program – State Implementation Progress Report to Congress – SY 2017-2018 & SY 2018-2019. 

This report responds to the requirement of The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - to assess the effectiveness of State and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals and provides information re: State Performance, Key Findings, and State Best Practices.

To access the Report to Congress please click here: Click Here Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program [gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com]

Highlights of the Report include:

  • The calculated national percentage of SNAP-participant children directly certified for free school meals was 98 percent in both SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019.
  • This is a 6 percentage point improvement from the performance rate in SY 2016-2017, which was 92 percent, and an 11-percentage point increase since SY 2013-2014.
  • Forty States met or exceeded the required 95 percent direct certification rate benchmark for SY 2018-2019.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the Report please feel free to contact Joseph Templin, Child Nutrition Programs, USDA-Food and Nutrition Service at joseph.templin@usda.gov .


TIPS TO SUCEED: School Meals in Small Rural Districts

Jeanne Reilly and Dayle Hayes are launching a new FB group called TIPS TO SUCCEED: School Meals in Small Rural Districts [facebook.com]. This sub-group within TIPS for School Meals That Rock [facebook.com], specifically for small and rural districts AND farm to school programs, is part of the School Nutrition Foundation LEAD to Succeed™ [schoolnutrition.org], FREE TO ALL training program for school nutrition professionals. 

 

Definitions:

  • Small district has 2,500 or fewer students
  • Rural district is 5 miles or more from an urbanized area
  • These are guidelines rather than hard and fast numbers. We recognize that more isolated, larger districts have many of the same issues as smaller districts that are closer to cities. TIPS for School Meals That Rock members who work in larger districts are welcome to join the group.
  • However the focus will be on the unique needs of small, rural districts.

Titan

Menu Planner Users

If you previously opted into Cartewheel and/or did training and/or entered data, please read emails and listen to voicemails from TITAN. 

When you get back to school, do NOT do any more work in Cartewheel. 

Please contact TITAN regarding menu planning.


 

School Nutrition Contact Information

 


The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.