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School Nutrition Bulletin 1920-03

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team  

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

 
2019 Farm to School Census (2019 Census)
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA/FNS) and managed by Abt Associates Inc., an independent research company, the 2019 Census is a short web survey that asks School Food Authority (SFA) directors to provide information about farm to school activities and local sourcing. Additional information about the 2019 Census is described in this Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
 
You should have received an email encouraging you to complete the 2019 Census. For your reference, this email is available to download from Abt. During the second week in September, Abt will send a personalized link to the 2019 Census to each SFA Director.
 
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Abt Associates toll-free at 855-452-5794 between 8 am and 8 pm CST, or email farmtoschool@abtassoc.com.
 
Webinar-Crediting Updates for Child Nutrition Programs: Be in the Know!
CN Labeling Program: Update for Industry
Wednesday, September 11, 2019, 1:00-2:00 pm CST
 
USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) will present the fifth and final webinar of the Crediting Updates for Child Nutrition Programs: Be in the Know! webinar series. This webinar series will assist with implementation of the recent changes in CNP related to the release of SP 08-2019, CACFP 02-2019, SFSP 02-2019 Update of Food Crediting in the Child Nutrition Programs and other related memos. The webinars in this series provide technical assistance and hands-on practice with the newly creditable items in CNPs. In addition, attendees will learn about the FNS tools and resources available to assist with menu planning needs in CNP settings.
 
 
The webinar, CN Labeling Program: Update for Industry, will provide an overview of the CN Labeling Program with crediting updates resulting from the Final Rule: Child Nutrition Program Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements and the Request for Information as well as crediting technical assistance specifically for the CN Labeling program.
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you are unable to attend the live webinar, there will be a recording of the webinar announced and posted a few weeks after the webinar’s completion.
 
Webinar--Using the Nondiscrimination Statement in Child Nutrition Programs: Where, When, Why, and How?
Monday September 16, 2019. 12:00-1:00 pm CST
 
Each year thousands of CNP applications, verification documents, and questions about lunch balances are sent in error to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. These misdirected materials and questions slow down the review of applications for schools and childcare facilities and can cause confusion for families. This webinar will help local program operators learn where and when to use the appropriate Nondiscrimination Statement, as well as which version of the statement must be used to be compliant with program regulations. The goal of this webinar is to improve customer service by clarifying the proper use of the Nondiscrimination Statement and clarify for families where to send completed applications, verification materials, and questions about account balances. We will provide several examples and answer questions at the end of the webinar.
 
Click on this link to register. You may use the same link to login to participate on September 16th.
Streaming audio will be available through your computer. If that is not an option, use the call-in information below. To receive a callback, provide your phone number when you join the event, or call the number below and enter the access code.
US Toll: +1-415-527-5035
Access code: 900 710 655
 
If you are unable to attend the live webinar, there will be a recording of the webinar announced and posted on the PartnerWeb a few weeks after the webinar’s completion.
 
Get Ready for Back-to-School with USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs
USDA's Child Nutrition Programs invite you to use these free resources in your nutrition education efforts. These resources may be shared, downloaded, and printed.
 
Get Inspired
Engage Parents and School Staff in School Wellness Policies
Choose and Make Healthy Meals & Snacks
Get Cooking with Multicultural and Kid-tested, Kid-approved Recipes
 

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

 
USDA Response to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Three-Year Administrative Review Waiver Request
USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has reviewed the 3-year Administrative Review waiver request from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and is approving a 5-year Administrative Review for all SFAs starting in SY 2017-18 (current cycle) and ending no later than June 30, 2022. This waiver will allow Wisconsin the time needed to provide any necessary technical assistance, training, and complete all administrative reviews within the specified timeframe.
 
Please note: FNS provides approval of waivers for a limited time period. After the initial waiver period has expired, if the waiver is still needed, State agencies may request renewal of a waiver. A renewal waiver request will be processed in the same manner as an initial waiver request.
 
New Smart Snacks Flowcharts on Coffee and Smoothies
Are you interested in selling coffee drinks or smoothies to students, but are not sure where to start? Two new resources have been posted to our Smart Snacks webpage to help guide you through the process:
Correction to DPI School Nutrition Team Back-to-School Memorandum
In the 2019 School Nutrition Team Back-to-School memorandum (memo) dated August 22, 2019, the following information was provided under the “Professional Standards” section of the memo:
 
“Reminder for SFAs with a Food Service Management Company (FSMC): Beginning with SY 2019-20, the person designated as the Food Service Director, and who is directly responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of school nutrition programs, is required to meet the hiring, annual training, and annual eight hours of food safety training requirements. This person can be a FSMC employee or SFA employee. The Authorized Representative listed on the school nutrition contract must be a SFA employee. The Authorized Representative does not need to meet the hiring requirements or the eight hours of food safety training, but does need to meet the annual training requirements for a Food Service Director of 12 hours per year.”
 
The error is the word “annual” noted below.
Beginning with SY 2019-20, the person designated as the Food Service Director, and who is directly responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of school nutrition programs, is required to meet the hiring, annual training, and annual eight hours of food safety training requirements.
 
The statement should read as noted below.
Beginning with SY 2019-20, the person designated as the Food Service Director, and who is directly responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of school nutrition programs, is required to meet the hiring, annual training, and eight hours of food safety training requirements.
 
The eight hours of food safety training is only required for new directors hired after July 1, 2015, and must have been obtained within the last five years of hire or within the first 30 days of hire.
 
Sorry for any confusion this may have caused. Please contact our team at dpifns@dpi.gov or 608-267-9228 if you have any further questions.
 
Small Victories Workshop at Various Locations in October
DPI’s Small Victories training is open for registration. The featured topic will be Marketing with Diversity. This interactive, hands-on workshop will review effective marketing strategies geared at increasing meal participation. Creative marketing strategies will be discussed to help raise awareness of the positive opportunities your meal program can provide to students. In addition, the workshop will include ideas and creative ways to market a variety of ethnic options on your menu for students. Please join us for a fun night of learning and networking. There is no cost to attend this workshop. All classes are 3:45 to 7:00 PM. Dates and locations are:
  • Monday, October 14, Ellsworth Elementary, 445 South Piety Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011
  • Tuesday, October 15, Northwood School District, N14463, Highway 53, Minong, WI 54859
  • Wednesday, October 16, Rhinelander High School, 665 Coolidge Avenue, Rhinelander, WI 54501
  • Monday, October 21, Fall River School District, 150 Bradley Street, Fall River, WI 53932
  • Tuesday, October 22, Lancaster High School, 806 E Elm Street, Lancaster, WI 53813
  • Wednesday, October 23, Menomonee Falls High School, N80 W14350 Titan Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
 

Other Updates and Information

 
 
 
 
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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