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School Nutrition Bulletin 2021-04

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

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

 

Back to School Planning Stakeholder Calls are Back — August 4 and 6
With everything going on right now and decisions about going back to school being finalized, the School Nutrition Team will be hosting another opportunity to connect with School Nutrition Professionals. We will go over the USDA Nationwide Waivers, statewide waivers requested, share any other information we know, and see what other ideas/questions/concerns you have. Please join us!
 
We will be hosting three live calls.
 
Back to School Planning: Public Schools
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Attendee Join Link
+1 608-620-9781
Conference ID: 983 363 685#
 
Back to School Planning: Large School Food Authorities (SNT will email an invitation to Food Service Directors)
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Back to School Planning: Private Schools
Thursday, August 6, 2020
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Attendee Join Link
+1 608-620-9781
Conference ID: 331 008 975#
 
Registration is not required. To join the meeting, click on the link above, and click on “Watch on the Web” button. These calls will be recorded and posted to our website at a later date.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
We have been receiving many questions about what is allowable next school year. We are posting some frequently asked questions and the answers below and will also be creating a Frequently Asked Questions document to post on our website.
 
Important Reminder: As we move into this school year, SFAs need to transition back to operating the National School Lunch Program. You cannot continue serving and claiming all meals for free under the Summer Food Service Program or the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option. All meals, including meals for students who are e-learning or virtual learning, must be counted and claimed based on the student's individual meal benefit eligibility (except in the cases of Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2).
 
Q1. Can SFAs decide not to feed students who are virtual learning?
A1. At this time, USDA is reviewing regulations to determine if SFAs are required to feed students who are virtual learning. When we receive final guidance on this question, we will pass it along.
 
We have received the following guidance from USDA regarding serving meals off-site for SY 2020-21:
  • SFAs should work with the DPI SNT to develop plans that will provide meals to eligible students who are attending school both in person and virtually (if the school is participating in the NSLP).
  • The USDA Waiver, COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #33 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Non-Congregate Feeding in the Child Nutrition Programs – Extension #2, allows for non-congregate feeding throughout SY 2020-21; therefore, in an effort to provide meals to students who are virtual or e-learning, whether full-time or part-time, SFAs may deliver meals to student homes or to alternate sites (such as apartments, libraries, community buildings) where students can pick up a meal.
  • The SA must work with SFAs to ensure accurate counts are being taken at the POS whether through rosters or iPads/laptops.
  • Meal delivery guidance that was previously provided under the SFSP and SSO will be applicable for the NSLP under the extended non-congregate feeding waiver for SY 2020-21.
  • USDA is working on updating their Q&As for SY 2020-21.
Q2. Are homeschool students the same as virtual learning (or e-learning) students?
A2. Homeschool students can take up to two classes at a public school, but they are not “enrolled” in the district. They are attending the school, but are defined as 100 percent homeschooled. In Wisconsin, a student cannot be dual-enrolled amongst the three sectors – public, private and homeschool. Students who are virtually learning are enrolled in a school/district.
 
That being said, homeschool students do not have access to the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs as they are not enrolled in a school/school district that participates.
 
Q3. Can SFAs plan for meal pick up on Saturdays?
A3. Yes. This is allowed under the authorities provided through the Non-Congregate Feeding Waiver (#33), Meal Time Services Waiver (#34) and Parent Pick-Up Waiver (#35).
 
This can occur any day of the week, but as you know already, only meals prepared for the normal school week (typically Monday-Friday) can be claimed for reimbursement.
 
Q4. Can SFAs serve all virtual/e-learning students out of one location or from a location that is not where they would typically be attending?
A4. Yes. As part of the USDA Nationwide Non-Congregate Meal Waiver, meals may be served out of alternate locations as long as you have a plan for maintaining program integrity and accountability for the meals you are serving; meaning you are counting and claiming meals based on students and their eligibility.
 
Q5. If we are serving meals to virtual students, where do we need to post “And Justice for All” posters?
A5. USDA is still working on guidance related to the “And Justice for All” posters.
 
Q6. If we are serving meals in classrooms, where do we need to post “And Justice for All” posters?
A6. USDA is still working on guidance related to the “And Justice for All” posters.
 
Q7. Can time spent working on Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) over the summer be charged to the non-profit school foodservice account?
A7. Yes, this is an allowable cost to the non-profit school foodservice account.
 
Q8. Do I have to raise prices next SY as indicated in the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) Tool?
A8. If an SFA had a positive balance in December 2019 and wants to lower their paid lunch price they can do that. USDA is working on guidance as to whether or not there is a requirement to use non-Federal funds to make up the difference. Prices will need to be increased for SY 2021-22 plus any additional PLE increase (if necessary).
 
If an SFA had a negative balance in December 2019 and doesn’t want to raise their prices that is a different situation, as PLE regulations require the increase and the SFA will fall further behind. USDA is looking into possible flexibilities on this. The DPI SNT is looking into a possible statewide waiver.
 
Q9. Guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) talks about individually plated meals and use of disposable food service items. Does everything we serve need to be pre-packaged? Do we need to serve meals using only disposable foodservice items?
A9. No. Meals do not need to be pre-packaged and use of disposables is not required, though these are both options. School foodservice professionals can serve food to students through a line in the cafeteria. However, it is recommended that self-service areas be removed and that staff hold responsibility for plating all meals.
 
Q10. Guidance from the CDC only mentions washing non-disposable dishes with dish soap and hot water (or in a dishwasher). If non-disposable dishes are being washed by hand, don’t we still need to sanitize them?
A10. Yes. All hand washed non-disposable dishes also need to be sanitized, as they normally are when utilizing a three-compartment sink for manual dishwashing. Schools that participate in NSLP must follow the Wisconsin Food Code, including the requirements regarding sanitizing food-contact surfaces. Please review the Wisconsin Food Code Fact Sheet: Washing and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces for a reminder on these requirements.
 
Q11. We are concerned about sending meals home with kids. What do we need to consider related to food safety?
A11. Sending food home with students can cause concern, especially because the meals will likely contain time-temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. If meals will be sent home with students, consider a pre-ordering system so families are aware of what food should be coming home and when. Additionally, placing food items in a separate bag instead of in backpacks may help draw attention to the food so it can be stored safely and in a timely manner, such as immediately into the freezer or refrigerator. Extra communication to families on days food will be going home with students may also help lower concerns. Alternatively, parents could pick up meals on behalf of their students at designated times and locations. You may want to speak with your legal counsel regarding food safety liability.
 
Virtual SNSDC
We added more live office hours! The week of August 17-20 will have one additional live office hour per course (with the exception of Free, Reduced, and Verification which will have two). Find the links to join the office hours next to each course on the SNSDC webpage. As a reminder, video recordings and resource folders will be available until September 4. Please plan accordingly.
 
Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Hunger Task Force, No Kid Hungry, and School Nutrition Association of Wisconsin are excited to announce the winners of the 2019-2020 Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge! From December 2, 2019 to March 6, 2020, participating schools across Wisconsin joined in some friendly competition to boost their breakfast participation and we are thrilled with the results.
 
School Breakfast Challenge Winners
Category District School Percent (%) Increase*
Colby winner St. Anthony School St. Anthony 2nd Street 38%
Colby runner-up Appleton Area School District Franklin Elementary 37%
Swiss winner Hillsboro School District Hillsboro Elementary 36%
Swiss runner-up Clayton School District Clayton Elementary 33%
Mozzarella winner Darrell Lynn Hines College Preparatory Academy of Excellence Darrell Lynn Hines College Preparatory Academy of Excellence 4%
Cheddar winner Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School 38%
Cheddar runner-up Gibraltar School District Gibraltar Elementary 17%
Big Cheese winner Stevens Point School District P.J. Jacobs Junior High --
Big Cheese runner up Wausau School District John Muir Middle --
*Winners in each category were determined based on the growth in the percentage of the student body participating in breakfast. The analysis compared the Average Daily Participation (ADP) across December 2018 through February 2019 to the ADP across December 2019 through February 2020. Data was provided by DPI and analyzed by No Kid Hungry.
  1. Colby category: district enrollment greater than 875 students
  2. Swiss category: district enrollment between 275 and 875 students
  3. Mozzarella category: district enrollment less than 275 students
  4. Cheddar category: districts implementing a new School Breakfast Program in SY 2019-20
  5. Big Cheese: an optional bonus category for all participating schools. Schools had the chance to do various breakfast related activities and the top two schools were awarded based on the amount of points earned (participation data was not included in the analysis).
Let’s Celebrate!
Mark your calendars for a virtual celebration on Tuesday, August 18 from 9-10 am. Winning schools will share their stories and successes during the challenge. We will also celebrate all Wisconsin schools, including all the amazing ways they have been continuing to feed our students during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a picture, story or positive word you would like to share with your fellow schools please submit to DPISBP@dpi.wi.gov by August 3 to be included in the presentation.
 
+1 608-620-9781 United States, Madison (Toll)
Conference ID: 504 389 800#
Registration is not required. To join the meeting, click on the link above, and click on “Watch on the Web” button. These calls will be recorded and posted to our website at a later date.
 
Additionally, Hunger Task Force will be featuring the winners on their Winners Circle webpage, be sure to check it out!
 
Thank you for your continued participation in the School Breakfast Program. The SBP ensures every student has access to the nutrition they need to be successful learners, whether learning online or in the classroom. Keep up the great work!
 
New Buy American Non-Compliant Tracking Tools
The USDA requires that SFAs purchase, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic commodities or products. It Is the SFA’s responsibility to ensure USDA dollars are spent on American-grown products. Non-domestic, or non-compliant products, must have sufficient documentation that includes the reason for purchasing.
Previously, single, non-compliant product sheets have been available for SFAs to document non-domestic products. The DPI SNT created additional non-compliant product list tools that accommodate multiple products. They are available in Microsoft Word and Excel versions and can be found under tracking tools on the Buy American webpage.
 

Other Updates and Information

 

New COVID-19 Resources from the CDC
We are excited to share new COVID-19 resources to support schools. The following resources are new and do not replace previously released guidance documents.
 
The Considerations for Schools remains the foundational document with recommendations for mitigation strategies when schools are open.
 
 
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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