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School Nutrition Bulletin 2122-48

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

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

USDA Policy Memorandum SP 11-2022: Determining Eligibility for Severe Need Reimbursement for the School Breakfast Program and the Two Cent Differential Reimbursement for the National School Lunch Program in School Years 2022-23 and 2023-24 (Hyperlink not available as of 6/21/2022)

This memorandum provides guidance to State agencies and school food authorities as they transition from COVID-19 nationwide waivers. This guidance applies to State agencies and school food authorities administering the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program in SY 2022-23 and SY 2023-24.

Below are guidelines for SYs 2022-23 and 2023-24 that schools should use to determine eligibility for severe need and two cent differential reimbursement.

  • Schools that operated NSLP during SYs 2020-21 and 2021-22 have second prior year data available to determine eligibility for severe need and two-cent differential reimbursement for SYs 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. Therefore, these schools must use the percentage of lunches served free or at the reduced price during the second preceding year to determine eligibility for severe need and two-cent differential reimbursement for SYs 2022-23 and 2023-24.
  • Schools that did not operate NSLP during SY 2020-21 but did operate NSLP during SY 2021-22 must use the percentage of lunches served free or at the reduced price during SY 2021-22 to determine eligibility for severe need and two-cent differential reimbursement for SYs 2022-23 and 2023-24.
  • Schools that did not operate NSLP during SYs 2020-21 and 2021-22 may use the following options to determine eligibility for SY 2022-23. Use the percentage of lunches served free or at the reduced price during SY 2019-20. Data should only be used through the month that the school served free and reduced price NSLP meals, i.e., February or March 2020. Use the percentage of lunches served free or at the reduced price during the first three months of SY 2022-23. As indicated in Eligibility for Severe Need Rates for the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Determining Eligibility for Two Cent Differential Reimbursement in New School Food Authorities – Revised, schools new to NSLP or SBP participation are permitted to demonstrate that they qualify for severe need and two cent differential reimbursements. FNS is extending this method of determining eligibility for severe need rates and two cent differential reimbursement when NSLP participation data from the second preceding year is unavailable. Severe need rates and two cent differential reimbursements are retroactively effective back to the three months that were used to establish the SFA’s eligibility.
  • Schools that did not operate NSLP during SYs 2020-21 and 2021-22 must use the percentage of lunches served free or at the reduced price during SY 2022- 23 to determine eligibility for SY 2023-24.

Adult Meal Pricing Guidance

The Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) waiver inadvertently impacts adult meal pricing, specifically if a school chooses, after careful consideration, to lower their paid lunch price. How should school food authorities (SFAs) handle adult meal pricing?

USDA Response: Adult meals prices should continue to be based on statute (Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act section 12(q)(2) Revenues), regulations (7 CFR 210.18(h)(1)(iii), Policy Memo SP 20-2016, and guidance in FNS Instruction 782-5 rev. 1. Ultimately, SFAs must ensure that the price charged to adults covers the overall cost of the meal including the per meal value of entitlement and donated foods. In SFAs where, after careful consideration, the cost of a paid meal was lowered, the SFA may use the last paid lunch price used plus the per meal value of entitlement and donated foods as long as the overall cost of the meal is covered. In the event this method does not cover the overall cost of the adult meal, SFAs may use the non-pricing structure detailed in the FNS Instruction 782-5. This would require the SFA to charge adults at least the amount of reimbursement received for a free lunch plus the per meal value of entitlement and donated foods. Regardless of the method used to price adult meals, SFAs must ensure the cost charged for adult meals covers the overall cost of the meal including the per meal value of entitlement and donated foods.

The DPI SNT has the Wisconsin Adult Meal Pricing Worksheet tool available for help determining prices.

Now Available! Child Nutrition Database Release 25

The Child Nutrition Database, Release 25 (CN25), is now available. The CN25 is a required database for nutrient analysis software approved by USDA for use in school meals.

Action Steps for Nutrient Analysis Software Companies:
To maintain USDA approval, software companies must submit their nutrient analysis and certification of compliance software, updated to include CN25, to the USDA Software Evaluation Team by Friday, July 1, 2022. Instructions for submitting software to USDA is being provided directly to USDA-approved software companies. It is also available on the CNP Approved Nutrition Software PartnerWeb Community.

FNS recommends that companies also send a copy of their updated software to their customers by July 1, 2022. If you have questions about CN25 or if you are a new company seeking approval, please contact the USDA Software Evaluation Team at cnpntab@usda.gov.

Action Steps for State Agencies, School Food Authorities (SFAs), and Local Schools:
After July 1, 2022, State agencies, SFAs, and local schools should verify with their nutrient analysis software company to ensure that the software includes the most current version of the Child Nutrition Database (version CN25).

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team
 

ServSafe® Classes

Registration is now open for ServSafe Manager® classes in July! Please see the ServSafe® Menu on the Training Webpage to register. Space is limited and registration will be on a first come, first served basis. A waiting list is incorporated into the registration system.

Please note that the cost of the course is $50 plus an additional $50 if you need to purchase the 7th Edition ServSafe® Manager coursebook. Have your credit card ready!

New! Let’s Cook! Online Culinary Training Course

Team Nutrition has developed a new Quality Meal Improvement training for school food service professionals. The Let's Cook! Online Culinary Training Course is designed to provide you with information and culinary techniques to prepare fresh and flavorful foods for your school meal program. Each of the eight lessons that make up the course are interactive, with step-by-step instructions, images, videos, and dedicated time for you to practice what you’ve learned in your own kitchen. The lessons include:

The lessons range in length from 15 minutes to 60 minutes and may be completed at your own pace. By completing all eight lessons, you can earn four hours of Culinary Skills training for your GOALS certificate. Let's Cook, Wisconsin!

Inadequate Fluid Milk Supply

If your SFA experiences an emergency milk supply issue (milk unexpectedly does not get delivered, the full amount does not get delivered, etc.), those meals can be served without fluid milk and still be reimbursable per 7 CFR 210.10(d)(2) . For these meals to be reimbursable, SFAs must seek approval from the SNT within 2 business days of the incident. You must submit documentation demonstrating the emergency fluid milk supply issue (e.g., email from supplier, etc.) with the request. Instructions for how to request approval and more information can be found under the “milk” heading on the Meal Pattern Components Webpage. Only use this during emergency situations.

Other Updates and Information
 

Farm to School Success Stories: Buying from Local Growers, Producers, and Processors

Date: Thursday, July 7, 2022
Time: 2-3:00 CST

Purchasing locally produced foods for your school nutrition program is easier than you might think. Our panel of experts for this Farm-to-School-focused webinar will walk you through the steps. The topics covered will include the National Farm to School Network’s "Bringing the Farm to School" training for producers and processors, coordinating statewide local food programs in Montana, and district-level procurement and menu planning at Everett (WA) School District.

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Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
125 S Webster Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563