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School Nutrition Bulletin 2324-28

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

School Lunch Hero Day-Friday, May 3, 2024

Memo
Proclamation

Thank you for all you do every day for the health and wellbeing of Wisconsin’s students!

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

Final Rule-Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs)
 

On April 25, USDA published the final rule Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs).

This rule finalizes practical, science-based, long-term school nutrition requirements consistent with the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-25 and based on extensive public input as well as lessons learned from prior rulemakings. These updates represent continued progress toward improving the nutritional quality of school meals, strengthening the Child Nutrition Programs, and advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. Please note that Program operators are not required to make any changes to their menus because of this rulemaking until school year 2025-26 at the earliest.

FNS has also developed a Final Rule Landing Page that includes resources to support implementation of the updated standards including infographics, comparison charts highlighting changes to program requirements, implementation timelines, frequently asked questions, and more. These resources were designed to support our state agency partners and Program operators as updates are phased in over the next several years.

Key updates to the nutrition standards to support healthy kids include:

Added Sugars
For the first time, added sugars will be limited in school meals nationwide, with small changes happening by Fall 2025 and full implementation by Fall 2027. USDA heard concerns from parents and teachers about excessive amounts of added sugars in some foods, which factored into this new limit. Research shows that these added sugars are most commonly found in typical school breakfast items. Childcare operators will also begin limiting added sugars in cereals and yogurts – rather than total sugars – by Fall 2025.

Milk
Schools can continue to offer flavored and unflavored milk, which provide essential nutrients that children need, such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium. There will be a new limit on added sugars in flavored milk served at breakfast and lunch by Fall 2025. Thirty-seven school milk processors – representing more than 90% of the school milk volume nationwide – have already committed to providing nutritious school milk options that meet this limit on added sugars.

Sodium
Schools will need to slightly reduce sodium content in their meals by Fall 2027. In response to public comments, USDA is only requiring one sodium reduction, and not the three incremental reductions that were proposed last year. This change still moves our children in the right direction and gives schools and industry the lead time they need to prepare. The sodium limits in this final rule will be familiar to schools, as they were supported by leading school nutrition and industry stakeholders during previous rulemaking activities in 2017 and 2018.

Whole Grains
Current nutrition standards for whole grains will not change. Schools will continue to offer students a variety of nutrient-rich whole grains and have the option to offer some enriched grains to meet students’ cultural and taste preferences.

Supporting Other Food Preferences
While not a new requirement, starting in Fall 2024 it will be easier for schools to serve protein-rich breakfast foods such as yogurt, tofu, eggs, nuts, and seeds, which can help reduce sugary food options, while also supporting vegetarian diets and other food preferences.

Supporting Local Food Purchases
Also starting in Fall 2024, schools have the option to require unprocessed agricultural products to be locally grown, raised, or caught when making purchases for school meal programs, making it easier for schools to buy local foods.

Additionally, starting in Fall 2025, schools will have limits on the percentage of non-domestic grown and produced foods they can purchase, which will enhance the role of American farmers, producers, fishers, and ranchers in providing nutritious foods to schools.


For more information about how school meals will be strengthened, see these resources:

What’s Staying the Same
School meals will continue to emphasize fruits and vegetables; whole grains; and give kids the right balance of many nutrients for healthy, tasty meals. School nutrition professionals are local experts in their communities and will continue serving meals that their students want to eat, while also prioritizing cultural and religious food preferences.
 

Webinar Opportunity! Final Rule - Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-25 DGAs
 

Thursday, May 9, 2024
1:00 PM CST – Register Here!

USDA Food and Nutrition Service will host a webinar for School Food Authorities on the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

FNS will share a webinar recording in the future for those that could not attend.
 

USDA Team Nutrition
 

USDA Team Nutrition sends out a recipe of the month along with a nutrition education connection and a focus on food safety. Please Subscribe to receive this monthly newsletter.

USDA Child Nutrition Program operators can request free printed copies of certain Team Nutrition Materials, while supplies last.

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
 

Exciting News: School Nutrition Summer Training (SNST) 2024 Conference and Virtual Course Schedules Now Available!
 

We're thrilled to announce that the schedules for both our in-person conference and virtual courses for SNST 2024 are now live on our SNST Website! Dive into the details of each session and plan your personalized learning experience today. Don't miss this opportunity to explore a wealth of enriching content designed to elevate your school nutrition program. Visit our website now to access the schedules and course descriptions.

New and exciting in-person courses this year are Managing Personalities and Conflict, Preparing for Your School Kitchen Health Inspections, a keynote address from the KwikTrip Public Relations Liaison, a networking session, and Great Beginnings for newly hired directors and managers. ServSafe courses and exams will also be offered at the in-person event.

Registration for both the in-person conference and the virtual courses will open in May, stay tuned!

Other Updates and Information

 

Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition: Recognition of School Culinary Professionals - Spotlight on School Meal Innovations
 

Thursday, May 2, 2024
2-3:00 PM CST

Join us for our May webinar to celebrate the work of school nutrition culinary professionals with a spotlight on school meal innovations. In this session, school foodservice directors will share highlights from their school districts that have been awarded recognition as innovators and trailblazers in School Breakfast and Lunch. Gain insights into strategies and practices for innovation in school meals, including utilizing local foods in school kitchens and advancing school culinary operations to appeal to student taste preferences.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify strategies to utilize local foods and reduce sodium in school menus.
  • Describe techniques used to increase efficiency in school culinary operations.
  • List opportunities to engage students in school meal innovations.


FDA Encourages the Public to Follow Established Choking Rescue Protocols - FDA Safety Communication
 

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication to encourage the public to follow established anti-choking protocols, which are step-by-step guides, approved by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association to relieve the airway obstruction in choking victims. These protocols include abdominal thrusts (also called the “Heimlich” maneuver) for children and adults. These protocols do not include anti-choking devices.

The safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter anti-choking devices have not been established; they are not FDA approved or cleared. If you choose to use them, only use anti-choking devices after established choking protocols have failed.

This safety communication provides:

  • Important recommendations for consumers, parents, and caregivers
  • Recommendations for health care providers.
  • Background on the issue and the FDA’s actions to address the issue.
  • Instructions for reporting problems with anti-choking devices to the FDA.

If you have questions about this safety communication, please contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE).

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563