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School Nutrition Bulletin 2122-14

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

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

 

USDA Policy Memorandum SP 01-2022: Questions and Answers for Child Nutrition Programs Emergency Procurement Due to Supply Chain Disruptions (updated memo code, was SP 23-2021)

This policy memorandum provides clarification on questions related to child nutrition programs’ use of emergency procurements due to supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. Additionally, it details further instructions and administrative procedures for utilizing the noncompetitive procurement method in 2 CFR 200.320(c). This guidance applies to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (including the NSLP Seamless Summer Option), School Breakfast Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.
 

USDA Bulletin: Making Last-Minute Substitutions to Your School Meal Menu

USDA understands that many school food authorities (SFAs) are experiencing supply chain issues during School Year 2021-22. Program Operators are receiving little notice that ordered food products will not be provided as planned. As a result, SFAs need to find other products to serve on the school meal menu and document how these substituted foods can meet the meal pattern requirements. Check out this bulletin to find out how this can be accomplished.
 

Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs – REVISED

On October 15, Congress extended the flexibility allowing low-fat, flavored milk in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO) through December 3, 2021. Low-fat (1%) flavored milk may now be served as part of a reimbursable meal.
 
After December 3, 2021, SFAs must either stop serving low-fat (1%) flavored milk or submit a Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver Request.
 
Also in the Appropriations Act, Congress provided that funds made available by the Appropriations Act cannot be used to procure raw or processed poultry products imported into the United States from the People’s Republic of China for use in the child nutrition programs. This prohibition is also extended through December 3, 2021.
 

Now available in print: Professional Standards Training Reward Badges

Professional Standards Training Reward Badges are a fun way to promote training and recognize staff who have completed training. School nutrition professionals can earn badges by completing training in any of the key areas: Nutrition, Operations, Administration, or Communication/Marketing. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum badges can also be earned by completing training in more than one key area.
 
Sticker pages of the training reward badges are now available for school nutrition professionals by ordering the Professional Standards Training Reward Badges Packet (FNS303-A) today.
 
Sticker pages of the training reward badges will also be included with the printed version of the Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs which will be available later this fall.
 

The Professional Standards Training Tracker Tool

Interested in learning more about the Professional Standards Training Tracker Tool (PSTTT)? If you missed Team Nutrition's latest webinar, "Master the PSTTT", you may view the Recording and get one training hour for Key Area 3000 - Administration: Learning Objectives 3210 (Staff Management) and 3430 (Training Plans and Tracking).
 
For additional information and access to other resources, like the Professional Standards Summer of Updates Flyer or other recorded webinars, visit Team Nutrition's Professional Standards: Resources - a central location for school nutrition professionals to access various resources related to Professional Standards.

 

Other Updates and Information

 

Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB)

On May 12, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education released information for school districts regarding the Federal Communication Commission's Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB). The EBB is a temporary federal program to help eligible families pay for internet service during the pandemic. Households with a child who was approved to receive free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, or 2021-2022 school year, including children who attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, are eligible for the EBB Program. To date, more than 6 Million Eligible Households have enrolled, and approximately $2.5 billion of the $3.1 billion appropriated for the program remain available.
 
Check out the resources below to share this opportunity with your households, who may qualify for the EBB, so they can access these additional resources.
 
The Department of Education's EBB Website has further information about the program, including an introductory letter and “Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) document to assist schools in learning about the program and includes strategies for reaching out to their school community about the EBB. You may also download the Letter and FAQ. In addition, an Outreach Toolkit with sample templates is available.
 
For the list of qualifying criteria for the EBB program, please see FAQ B-3. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your colleagues who serve stakeholders who may meet such qualifying criteria.
 
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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