Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Announcements from the WI Department of Public Instruction School Nutrition Team
- Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team (SNT)
- Other Updates and Information
Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Policy Memorandum SP 12-2025-Paid Lunch Equity (PLE): Guidance for School Year 2025-26
On May 14, 2025, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released SP 12-2025: Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for School Year 2025-26. Consistent with the guiding principles regarding nutrition programs identified by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to clarify statutory, regulatory, and administrative requirements, this memorandum provides guidance on the Paid Lunch Equity requirements for School Year 2025-26.
Please note, the SY 2025-26 PLE tool and instructions will be provided in a separate communication.
The DPI SNT sent out PLE information via email on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Please check your inbox or contact us at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov if you have questions.
USDA Policy Memorandum SP 13-2025-Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs
On May 14, 2025, FNS released SP 13-2025: Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs. Consistent with the guiding principles regarding nutrition programs identified by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to clarify statutory, regulatory, and administrative requirements, this memo provides guidance from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4).
Crediting of Vegetables at Breakfast
The 2025 Appropriations Act extends the 2024 provision that allows school food authorities (SFAs) participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) to credit any vegetable offered in place of fruit without including vegetables from other subgroups in the weekly menus. This general provision is effective for the remainder of school year (SY) 2024-25 and restricts USDA from enforcing vegetable variety requirements at breakfast when this flexibility is used. SFAs are not required to make any breakfast menu changes. Starting in SY 2025-26, consistent with current SBP requirements [7 CFR 220.8(c)(2)(ii)], schools must offer at least two vegetable subgroups at breakfast per week, if offering vegetables in place of fruit at breakfast more than once per week.
Prohibition on the Use of Chicken and Seafood from China
The 2025 Appropriations Act extends the 2024 provision that Program funds may not be used to procure raw or processed poultry or seafood products from the People’s Republic of China. This prohibition applies to all child nutrition programs and remains effective through September 30, 2025.
Compliance with Paid Lunch Equity Requirements
Under the 2025 Appropriations Act, for SY 2025-26, only SFAs that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of June 30, 2024, shall be required to establish a price for paid lunches according to the PLE provisions in Section 12(p) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) [42 U.S.C. 1760(p)] and implemented in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) regulations at 7 CFR 210.14(e). Consistent with the terms of the 2025 Appropriations Act, SP 12-2025, Paid Lunch Equity: Guidance for School Year 2025-26, provides notice that any SFA with a positive or zero balance in its nonprofit school food service account as of June 30, 2024, is exempt from PLE pricing requirements found at 7 CFR 210.14(e) for SY 2025-26.
Updates from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) School Nutrition Team (SNT)
Spring 2025 School Nutrition Newsletter is Available!
Extra! Extra! The Spring 2025 Edition of the School Nutrition Newsletter is here, featuring information on the 2025 School Nutrition Summer Training, Highlights from the School Breakfast Expansion Grant Recipients, Serving Summer Meals and much more!
You can find past editions on the School Nutrition Team Newsletter webpage.
Enrollment and Participation Report Now Available
The Enrollment and Participation Report (E&PR) for SY 2024-25 is now available. These data reports provide information regarding student enrollment and free and reduced price eligible students. The report also provides meal participation data by free/reduced price and paid categories.
The source data for the annual E&PR comes from annual October reimbursement claims submitted to the DPI by Local Education Agencies (LEAs). Districts and private schools that are not listed do not participate in USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Districts and schools that show 100% free eligibility may be participating in the Community Eligibility Provision and all students have the option to receive free meals.
Other Updates and Information
Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)-Virtual Instructor-Led Trainings for Spring and Summer
Upcoming ICN Virtual Trainings – Reserve Your Spot!
The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is offering a series of virtual training sessions this May and June—designed to support and strengthen your professional development.
Grow Where You Serve: Container & Hydroponic Gardens in School Cafeterias
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 4-5:00 PM CDT
Thursday, May 22, 2025 | 1-2:00 PM CDT
Food Safety Basics
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | 9 AM-1:00 PM CDT