Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)
- Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team
- Other Updates and Information
Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
Child Nutrition Program Integrity Rule – Fines for Violating Program Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule strengthened the administrative oversight of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) and Special Milk Program (SMP) by including the ability of the State Agency to implement a fine for school food authorities (SFAs) who have severe or repeated program violations that threaten the integrity of the Child Nutrition Programs.
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team (SNT) may implement a fine if the SFA or a school under its agreement has:
- Failed to correct severe mismanagement of the NSLP, ASP, SBP, or SMP;
- Disregarded a NSLP, ASP, SBP or SMP requirement of which the SFA or school had been informed; or
- Failed to correct repeated violations of NSLP, SBP, ASP and/or SMP requirements.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Nutrition Team (DPI SNT) has the discretion to use fines for other serious repeat findings if deemed appropriate and necessary to bring the program(s) into compliance. Fines will be imposed only after the DPI SNT has informed the SFA of the program violation and has provided technical assistance and requested corrective action previously.
For less severe violations (e.g. single or unintentional), the appropriate course of action will be technical assistance, corrective action, and/or fiscal action, as required by guidance from USDA. However, when existing processes do not adequately address program violations, the assessment of a fine may be required to ensure SFAs comply with program regulations and use Federal funds for their intended purposes.
The DPI SNT must calculate the fine based on the amount of program reimbursement earned by the SFA or school in the most recent state fiscal year for which full year data is available, provided that the fine does not exceed the equivalent of:
- For the first fine, one percent of the amount of meal reimbursement earned for the fiscal year;
- For the second fine, five percent of the amount of meal reimbursement earned for the fiscal year; and
- For the third or subsequent fine, 10 percent of the amount of meal reimbursement earned for the fiscal year.
The DPI SNT will consult legal counsel to carefully consider whether a fine is the appropriate response for a situation.
A fine is required to be paid with non-Federal funds, meaning the nonprofit school food service account (Fund 50) cannot pay the fine. Any funds received due to a fine will be remitted to the USDA who will then remit the money to the United States Treasury.
Winter 2025 School Nutrition Newsletter is Available!
Extra! Extra! The Winter 2025 Edition of the School Nutrition Newsletter is here, featuring information on the School Breakfast Expansion Grant, Required Annual Procurement Training, our SNT Wellness and Farm 2 School Summit and much more!
You can find past editions on the School Nutrition Team Newsletter webpage.
Around the World in 80 Trays - Success from Schools
Thank you to all schools that participated in DPI’s annual Around the World in 80 Trays event, January 20-24, 2025. This event aims to increase international flavors in school meals to celebrate the diverse cultures and backgrounds of Wisconsin students. Check out these highlights from the event!
Seymour Community School District offered a Caribbean themed lunch meal, featuring jerk chicken, plantains, tropical fruit!
Students enjoyed an Asian-American styled lunch featuring chicken fried rice and chicken egg rolls at Greenfield School District.
Academy of Excellence featured a delicious beef taco and beans tray.
Students at West Bend School District enjoyed Ramen style noodle bowls!
Other Updates and Information
February STAR Webinar: Mastering Scratch Cooking in Schools
Thursday, February 27, 2025
2-3:00 PM CST
Join this session to hear from school nutrition experts as they share insights on incorporating scratch cooking into school meal programs. Learn tips to help schools overcome common challenges and adopt best practices for preparing foods from scratch. This session will also highlight the benefits of scratch cooking and proven strategies to enhance meal quality and boost student satisfaction.
Learning Objectives
- Identify practical tips for preparing fresh foods to increase meal quality and student satisfaction.
- Recall effective methods for a smooth transition in the day-to-day operations when incorporating scratch cooking in the school meals program.
Hours of Instruction: 1
Key Area(s): 1-Nutrition, 2-Operations
Professional Standard Code(s): Menu Planning – 1100 Food Production – 2100