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School Nutrition Bulletin 2122-24

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

Happy New Year for the DPI School Nutrition Team! We look forward to working with you this year!
 

Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

 

USDA Research: Evaluation of the Independent Review of Applications in USDA Child Nutrition Programs

This study examined the processes, procedures, and effectiveness of a second, independent review of applications for certain local education agencies under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The requirement, which was first implemented in School Year 2014-15, is intended to reduce administrative certification error in LEA processing of household applications.
 

New feature alert for the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based Tool!  

A new feature is now available on the Food Buying Guide (FBG) for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based Tool. Team Nutrition appreciates receiving your comments on the FBG and works continuously to enhance the user experience. Team Nutrition is excited to announce that users can now view the meal pattern requirements per meal component for a selected Program and age/grade group while using the FBG calculator. This feature allows for easy access to helpful meal pattern guidance to assist in creating shopping lists.
 
Explore the Food Buying Guide today!
 

Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team (SNT)

 

USDA Supply Chain Assistance Funding

The DPI SNT received notification that we will be receiving $17,238,862 in supply chain assistance funding. Thank you for your patience as we get through the process. More information will be forthcoming.
 

School Closure Reminder

If your school or district temporarily closes due to COVID-19 and the students are virtually learning during the closure, meals may be provided for pick up or delivery during that time. If this is your school or district’s first closure of the school year, please email SSO@dpi.wi.gov to ensure you are opted into all necessary waivers that allow meals to be sent home with children. Once you have opted into all necessary waivers, you do not need to notify the DPI SNT of future closures. Please only opt into the waivers if/when you need to provide meals for pick up or delivery. Schools and districts may not opt into the waivers in anticipation of closing at some point in the year. For additional information, please consult the 2021-22 School Nutrition Programs Q&A: Serving Meals Under the Seamless Summer Option.
 

Federal Micro-purchase Threshold Clarification (follow-up to the 11/30 communication)

The Micro-purchase threshold remains set at up to $10,000 per transaction. However, school food authorities (SFAs) now have the option to establish a higher local threshold up to $50,000, or more. To increase the local threshold above $10,000, see self-certification requirements below and consult with the SFA’s internal finance department. Increasing the threshold up to $50,000 requires a self-certification process. SFAs choosing to self-certify must include a justification, clear indication of the threshold, and supporting documentation of any of the following:
  • A qualification as a low-risk auditee, in accordance with the criteria in 2 CFR 200.520;
  • An annual internal institutional risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks; or
  • For public institutions, a higher threshold consistent with State law.
Increasing the threshold beyond $50,000 requires approval by DPI.
 

Around the World in 80 Trays

around the world in 80 trays logo

The third annual Around the World in 80 Trays event is quickly approaching! Remember to Take the Pledge and use the week of January 17-21, 2022 to create a globally-inspired meal! For more event information, visit the Around the World in 80 Trays Webpage.
 

Other Updates and Information

 

Thank you for helping to Make Every Bite Count with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025!

The US Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture would like to recognize the important work that you do every day to improve the health of Americans by encouraging healthy food and beverage choices in communities where you live and work. To support your ongoing efforts, we invite you to check out these new resources just released on Dietary Guidelines.
 
NEW! Figures
 

Share Your Child Nutrition Program Success Stories and Resources on the Child Nutrition Sharing Site!

The Child Nutrition Sharing Site (CNSS) is an online information center hosted by the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) that provides child nutrition programs (CNPs) with an avenue for sharing resources and best practices related to program operations.
 
Do you have an innovative strategy for recruiting and hiring staff for your CNP or do you have tools and resources that have been helpful in navigating supply chain disruptions? The ICN wants to hear about it!
 
CNP operators are invited to submit their success story articles, tools, and resources to the CNSS. Submitted stories and resources will be vetted and posted to the CNSS Resource Hub for other program operators to access and download. This will help the ICN to build a reservoir of resources that will ensure child nutrition professionals have access to helpful tools, templates, training curriculums, videos, articles, and best practices that support CNP operations.
 
It’s easy to submit resources! To submit your success story article and resources to the CNSS, visit the Submission Form. The CNSS submission form will walk you through the following steps:
  • Step 1: Read through ICN's CNSS guidance so you know what to expect after you submit your resource to the CNSS. ICN is on standby for any questions you may have at cnss@theicn.org.
  • Step 2: Indicate if your resource is for CN programs or if your resource is specifically for Farm to School. Enter information about your resource in the CNSS resource submission form.
  • Step 3: Upload your resource files or provide links to your program's webinars and training videos. ICN accepts Microsoft Word documents, PowerPoint slides, Excel spreadsheets, PDF files, video files, and more!
  • Step 4: Provide your contact information. You will receive a confirmation email after your resource is submitted, an email notification if there are questions about your resource, and a final email notice when your resource has been approved and added to the CNSS.
  • Step 5: Click the submit button and your resource and information will be sent to ICN.
After ICN receives your resource, ICN will review the resource to ensure it is relevant and appropriate for CNPs. It will also be reviewed to ensure all hyperlinks are active. You will receive feedback regarding your resource within six to eight weeks of receipt by ICN. When the volume of submissions is high, this timeframe may be extended. If the resource is approved, it is automatically posted to the CNSS Resource Hub and categorized accordingly. You will be sent a direct URL to the resource at the email address you provided.
 
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
 
This is a communication from the WI Department of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Team.
You can contact the School Nutrition Team at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov. To subscribe to schoolmealsnews, please send an email to dpifns@dpi.wi.gov. dpi.wi.gov/school-nutrition #WISchoolMealsRock