Thursday, January 23, 2025
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
Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Policy Memorandum SP 08-2025: Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is pleased to announce the release of policy memorandum, SP 08-2025, SFSP 03-2025: Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas: Questions and Answers #3. This memorandum provides additional clarification on questions received from State agencies and Program stakeholders. It also includes guidance on integrity measures for non-congregate meal service operations.
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Announces Webinars on Two Child Nutrition Programs Requests for Information
In case you missed the previous announcements, FNS released two Requests for Information in December to solicit public input:
- Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects (Comments accepted through March 24, 2025)
- Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting in Child Nutrition Programs (Comments accepted through March 26, 2025)
FNS is hosting an informative webinar for State Agencies, Local Operators, and the Public on the Zoom platform that will provide an overview of the requests for information.
Webinar: Request for Information: Tribal Pilot Projects
When: Wednesday, January 22 - (Recording will be shared)
Webinar: Request for Information: Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt Crediting
When: Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 2-2:45pm CST
Please Register in Advance on Zoom.
FNS plans to share webinar recordings in the future for those unable to attend the live sessions.
Additional Resources:
- More information about the requests for information can be found on the FNS website: Tribal Pilot Projects and Grain-Based Desserts and High-Protein Yogurt.
- Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal for each via the links at the top of this message.
- For more information on submitting comments, please see Tips-For-Submitting-Effective-Comments PDF. (Please note this is a Federal Register resource and not an FNS resource.)
Summer-EBT Questions and Answers (Q&As) #3
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), established the permanent Summer EBT Program beginning in summer 2024. A third round of Q&As are being provided with additional information on Summer EBT Program administration, eligibility, certification, EBT benefits, and financial management.
The new Q&As are incorporated into the previous set and can be distinguished by the label [NEW!] before each question. Some questions from previous rounds have been edited with additional information and can be distinguished with the label [REVISED] before each question. They expand upon previously released Summer EBT guidance and answer the most frequently asked questions of the Summer EBT Program.
HAPPENING TODAY! FREE USDA Webinar: A Grade A Story - 100 Years of Milk Safety
Thursday, January 23, 2025
2-3 pm CST
SNA Key Area(s): 2 – Operations
USDA Professional Standards Code(s): 2000 – Operations, 2100 – Food Production, 2600 – Food Safety & HACCP
As part of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Continuing Education Program, this live webinar and Q&A session will take participants through the amazing 100-year journey of milk safety in honor of the 100th year anniversary of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO).
In this webinar, you will hear from dairy safety scientists conducting real-world food safety research at the USDA Agriculture Research Service. We will explore the history of milk safety, hear about ongoing milk safety research, what challenges researchers are seeking to solve, and the impacts of milk safety in child nutrition programs and our everyday lives.
Participants will meet with a Dairy K-12 Program Specialist on how milk safety is maintained from the operator’s lens. Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) will provide resources that support dairy food safety in schools. Following the instructional portion, there will be an extended Q&A session, taking questions on all topics related to milk and food safety.
Learning Objective(s):
By the end of this webinar, attendees will:
- Understand the Evolution of Milk Safety: Trace the historical milestones and advancements in milk safety over the past 100 years, including the significance of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO).
- Explore Current Milk Safety Research: Learn about ongoing dairy safety research conducted by USDA Agriculture Research Service scientists and the challenges they are addressing in the field.
Apply Milk Safety Knowledge to Practical Contexts: Gain insights form a Dairy K-12 Program Specialist and access ICN resources to enhance food safety practices in child nutrition programs and school settings.
Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
2024 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant Application: Open Now!
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released policy memorandum SP20-2024 regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs). USDA awarded Wisconsin a total of $170,191 to distribute to School Food Authorities (SFAs). Note, this is a significant decrease in funding from previous equipment grants and will affect the number of SFAs we are able to award.
Each SFA can request a maximum of $15,000 for up to two pieces of equipment. All Authorized Representatives and Food Service Directors received applications through individualized Qualtrics links on January 17, 2025. Applications are due on February 28, 2025, at midnight CT. SFAs should read the FY 2024 Equipment Assistance Grant Announcement Letter prior to completing their application.
The USDA NSLP Equipment Grant Webpage contains additional resources to assist SFAs with the application process including:
Questions related to this grant should be directed to the Equipment Grant Team at DPIEquipGnt@dpi.wi.gov
Wisconsin Farm to School (F2S) Recognition Program: Check-in Call
Join the Farm to School Team for a mid-year check-in about the Wisconsin F2S Recognition Program. Connect with us to troubleshoot challenges, share success stories, or to learn more about the program to sign-up for the first time.
The call will be held Tuesday, January 28 from 1:30-2:30 PM. Register Here to receive a calendar invite and link to join!
SNACS Virtual Office Hours
Upcoming Dates:
- Tuesday, February 11, 2025
- Tuesday, March 11, 2025
- Tuesday, April 8, 2025
If you're scheduled to receive an Administrative Review (AR) this school year and have questions about using SNACS, join us for one of our monthly virtual office hours. These will occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2 PM through April 2025.
There is no formal agenda, and you are welcome drop in at any point during the scheduled hour. The goal of these office hours is to assist SFAs by providing live demonstrations of tasks required throughout the AR process and answering any SNACS related questions.
Registration is not required. The link to access the Teams meeting is posted on the SNACS Webpage. If you plan to attend and would like to ensure a specific topic or process is covered, there is an Optional Survey that can be submitted in advance.
Any SFA staff who will use SNACS during the AR are welcome to attend. If the scheduled time does not work, you can also request a meeting with the SNACS Team using the Schedule a Demo button on the SNACS webpage.
If you have questions, please contact DPISNACSSupport@dpi.wi.gov.
NEW Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team (SNT) Resource: Meal Eligibility for Students Experience Homelessness In a Nutshell
The School Nutrition Team (SNT) is pleased to announce a new resource; Meal Eligibility for Students Experiencing Homelessness In a Nutshell.
This document is located on the Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility Webpage along with several other helpful resources.
As a reminder, do not hesitate to reach out with meal eligibility questions to our team at DPIMealEligibility@dpi.wi.gov
Other Updates and Information
Madison Area Master Gardener Association (MAMGA): Gardening and Horticultural Grants
Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Individual grant applications may request up to $500. Funds may be used for seeds, plants, fertilizer, mulch, tools, information and education of students and the community, and garden infrastructure, but not for paid labor. MAMGA will also support innovative and online gardening projects.
Grant application and submission information may be found on the MAMGA website at Madison Area Master Gardeners Association, under “Resources”. Grant awards will be announced on or about March 15, 2025.
For more information, please email Mary Collet: grants@mamgawi.org.