Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)
- Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team
- Other Updates and Information
Important Notice:
Late last week, USDA approved Wisconsin’s application to participate in the Summer EBT Program (S-EBT).
Late last week, USDA approved Wisconsin’s application to participate in the Summer EBT Program (S-EBT).
The Department of Health Services (DHS) will be hosting webinars the week of April 8th. Designated S-EBT points of contact will be receiving information about these webinars soon.
Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
2023 Turnip the Beet Award Winners Announced!
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is pleased to announce the winners of the Turnip the Beet award for summer 2023. This award recognizes sponsors within the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) that go above and beyond program requirements to serve high-quality meals to children during the summer months. This year, 140 sponsors qualified for either a gold, silver, or bronze Turnip the Beet award. Congratulations to all! For more information visit the Turnip the Beet Website.
Wisconsin 2023 Award Winners
Gold Winners:
- De Pere School Nutrition (WI)
- La Crosse Area Family YMCA (WI)
- North Crawford School District (WI)
- Stevens Point Area Public School District (WI)
Bronze Winners:
- Green Bay Area Public Schools (WI)
Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Application Period Open!
March 14 through April 12, 2024
Pending receipt of funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grants will be available for the 2024-25 school year. The level of funds provided to any one school depends on the school’s enrollment and the available funding provided by the USDA. Multiple school sites may apply to receive funding; however, separate applications for each site are required.
Funds can be used to:
- Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables to be served to all students as a snack during the school day but not during meal periods. Low-fat or non-fat dips may be occasionally served with vegetables.
- Purchase non-food items that are necessary to prepare and/or serve the fruit and vegetable snacks.
- Pay for staff labor costs to prepare and serve the fruit and vegetable snacks.
- Pay for administrative labor costs and/or equipment that are necessary to operate the FFVP.
To apply:
- Application Instructions – Please follow the FFVP application instructions carefully while completing the application.
- FFVP Online Services – Use the Wisconsin Child Nutrition Online Services to submit an online application beginning March 14, 2024
Participation Agreement Form - Applications are not complete without the signed participation agreement form. The application and agreement form must be submitted online by Friday, April 12, 2024. Applications cannot be considered after this date.
Other Updates and Information
STAR Webinar- Effective Menu Planning Strategies: A Step-by-Step Approach
Thursday, March 28, 2024
2:00–3:00 PM CST
Join us for an insightful webinar highlighting effective tools for menu planning in school nutrition programs. This session is designed to equip school nutrition professionals with tried-and-true tips for crafting innovative menus that are appealing and inclusive to students. By participating in this webinar, school nutrition professionals will gain insight and practical tools for implementing a systematic approach to menu planning that caters to students' preferences, enhances their dining experience, and promotes overall well-being.
SNA Key Area(s): 1 – Nutrition
USDA Professional Standards Code(s): 1100 – Menu Planning
Learning Objective(s)
By the end of this webinar, attendees will:
Identify tips and tools for utilizing a step-by-step approach for creating innovative school menus that appeal to students and improve their overall dining experience.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563