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School Nutrition Bulletin 1920-17

Thursday, April 30, 2020

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

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

 
The memorandum provides clarification on questions related to the operation of the Child Nutrition Program during the novel coronavirus public health emergency. The questions and answers in this memorandum related specifically to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Civil Rights requirements. If you do not participate in CACFP, please focus your attention to questions #7-9, which discuss civil rights requirements.
 
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs-EXTENSION
USDA extended the effective date of the nationwide waiver to allow meal pattern flexibility from April 30, 2020, to May 31, 2020. This waiver extends previously approved waivers and allows agencies to submit waiver requests if experiencing supply disruptions for one or more components that begin during this extended period. A Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver should only be completed if your agency is currently experiencing a difficulty procuring and serving one or more components per meal pattern requirements. You do not need to resubmit a waiver form for meal pattern flexibility on components already approved if still experiencing these same supply disruptions.
 
Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer Versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program
This USDA waiver now allows for Offer Versus Serve (OVS) to be used by school and non-school Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors during this period of operation under the Unanticipated School Closure. To implement OVS under this waiver during the current pandemic, sponsors must be able to follow the OVS meal service parameters of the meal pattern selected (SFSP or National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program). OVS is designed for congregate feeding and, if used in a non-congregate setting, must be done so with thoughtful planning and consideration. The conditions under which sponsors are operating and their ability to follow appropriate safety measures in providing meals are factors to consider. OVS is not intended to be a way to circumvent meal pattern requirements, or eliminate specific components. If electing to implement OVS, update the SFSP site application OVS selection.
 
Despite only mentioning the SFSP in this waiver, we received confirmation from USDA Midwest Regional Office that it can be implemented in the National School Lunch Seamless Summer Option (SSO) as well. However, as mentioned above, careful planning and thought should be put into how this will work while practicing safe social distancing and should only be used to encourage choice by the student (or parent) and to reduce food waste. OVS is not intended to be a way to circumvent meal pattern requirements, or eliminate specific components. If electing to implement OVS for SSO, please complete this Google Survey.
 
When considering OVS for SSO, School Food Authorities (SFAs) will want to consider which component would be easier for the student (or parent) to decline in a non-congregate setting, as this is up to local providers. Examples could be milk, fruit, or vegetable, however, we want to continue to encourage good nutrition during these times.
 
Nationwide Waiver of Meal Service Time Restrictions in the Summer Food Service Program and the National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option
This USDA waiver waives the meal service time requirements allowing meals served outside of the standard meal times for both the SFSP and the National School Lunch SSO for the timeframe of July 1, 2020- September 30, 2020.
 
Nationwide Waiver of Local School Wellness Policy Triennial Assessments in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
This nationwide waiver is established to support schools unable to complete a triennial assessment of the local school wellness policies by June 30, 2020, due to closures as a result of COVID-19. Based on the July 1, 2017 implementation of the local school wellness policy regulations, the first triennial assessments are due June 30, 2020.
 
The new first triennial assessment deadline is June 30, 2021 for those Local Education Agencies (LEAs) opting to use this waiver, with the second triennial assessment due by June 30, 2024.
Some LEAs may be prepared to complete their triennial assessment by June 30, 2020. We encourage you to do so if you are prepared to complete your assessment on time.
 
Nationwide Waiver to Extend Unanticipated School Closure Operations through June 30, 2020

This waiver allows SFAs the option of continuing to operate under the National School Lunch SSO or the SFSP under the COVID-19 pandemic flexibilities through June 30, 2020. Meals may be provided and claimed through June 30, even on days that do not include formal instruction or enrichment activities.

Any SFA electing to utilize this waiver and provide meals through June 30, 2020 must update the program end date(s) in their NSLP or SFSP contracts. SFAs participating in the SSO must update their NSLP contracts by April 30, 2020.

State agencies and local program operators are not prevented from implementing the traditional SSO and SFSP requirements prior to June 30, 2020.

Meals for Children After June 30
There are a variety of ways you can help to ensure children in your community receive meals the rest of the summer.
  • Extend Your Existing SFSP Contract
    • If your SFA already participates in the SFSP, consider extending meal service through the remainder of the summer at your established sites that are located in eligible areas.
  • Become a SFSP Site Under Another Organization’s Sponsorship
    • If your SFA does not participate in the SFSP, but is located within an area that is eligible and within a community that has an established program run by another organization, reach out to them to see how you can partner to ensure children in your area can receive meals through their program. A list of 2020 SFSP Sponsors can be found on the Summer Meal Program Choices for Schools webpage. Becoming a site does not require a contract with DPI and is an easy way to obtain free meals for children for the rest of the summer without a lot of paperwork.
  • Become a SFSP Sponsor
    • If there are no existing SFSPs located within your community and there is a strong interest in continuing summer meals in the future, becoming the SFSP Sponsor in your community may be possible. To determine if you are eligible to participate in the SFSP, visit the SFSP- Getting Started webpage. If interested in this option, please contact the Community Nutrition Team at SFSP@dpi.wi.gov.
  • Participate in the SSO
    • The SSO can provide funding for summer meals in eligible areas after June 30. This option would not require the more extensive application required for the SFSP and would be a good consideration if just planning to serve meals the remainder of this summer.

Please contact the School Nutrition Team at dpifns@dpi.wi.gov discuss the best option for your SFA.

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

 
Professional Standards Requirements
The Professional Standards regulations in 7 CFR 210.30 establish annual training requirements for all school nutrition program directors, managers and staff. This required annual continuing education will vary based on each employee’s role in the school nutrition program(s).
 
  • Food Service Directors: 12 hours
  • Managers: 10 hours
  • Staff who work in school nutrition more than 20 hours per week: 6 hours
  • Staff who work in school nutrition less than 20 hours per week: 4 hours
Reminder: Continuing education or training hours may be flexed between two school years to allow flexibility in meeting the training requirement. Some training must be completed each year.
 
Note: There will be School Nutrition Skills Development Courses (SNSDC) this year but it will look different. More information to come soon.
 
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Application: Due Date Extended until May 15
We understand the COVID-19 pandemic has created a challenging time for schools. To help ease the burden we have once again extended the application deadline for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program until May 15, 2020. The application instructions are found on the FFVP section of the DPI SNT webpage.
 
Questions regarding this funding opportunity should be directed to:
Claire Koenig or Michelle Zvonar, FFVP Coordinators
FFVP@dpi.wi.gov
 

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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.
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