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School Nutrition Bulletin 2223-20

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

The School Nutrition Team wishes each and every one of you a Happy New Year! We hope your year is full of happiness and good health!

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

 

USDA Procuring Local Foods Webpage

The USDA Farm to School Program’s Procuring Local Foods webpage is the best place to find resources related to finding, buying, and serving local foods in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. The featured resource is the Procuring Local Foods for the Child Nutrition Programs Guide, which is a comprehensive resource for all things local procurement. You can also find links to procurement related fact sheets, policy memos, and regulations on the webpage.
 

The Common Market Releases New Local Procurement Resource

The Common Market, a nonprofit wholesale food distributor, recently released a school food procurement resource entitled “Advancing School Food Procurement: Driving Values-Based Purchases Through Competitive Solicitations.” The resource was created to inspire and support schools interested in shifting toward or growing opportunities for local and other “values-based” procurement methods through key findings from expert interviews, tangible tips, case studies, and examples of competitive solicitations and contract language.
 

Now Available! Test Your Whole Grains Knowledge with Team Nutrition’s Latest Web Quiz!

The Whole Grains Quiz is comprised of 10 self-paced questions and provides feedback for correct and incorrect answer choices. The user may retake the quiz or retry questions as many times as desired. This quiz was developed to be a fun approach to support information found in the updated Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs, Whole Grains Resource for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Crediting Handbook for Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
 
This quiz is the newest addition to Team Nutrition Web Quizzes that cover a variety of nutrition topics. These short quizzes can be used for self-paced knowledge assessments, at trainings, or other nutrition events as a fun and engaging learning activity. Upon completion of each quiz, quiz takers receive a score along with a link to resources that can help expand their knowledge on the topic and build their nutrition skills. Each quiz is also available as a widget, so they can be easily embedded and displayed on other web pages to support training.
 

Warm Up with a New School Recipe

Cold weather calls for comfort foods. Try these nourishing and student-approved recipes developed by the Iowa Department of Education as part of their Fiscal Year 2021 Team Nutrition Training Grant:
  • White Chicken Chili – this recipe uses white beans for a new spin on this traditional dish.
  • Chicken Ramen – an Asian-inspired noodle dish featuring nutrient-dense veggies.
These recipes used local ingredients and had high acceptability ratings among students when tested. They have been standardized and are now available along with many other State Child Nutrition Agency developed recipes in the Child Nutrition Recipe Box. More recipes coming soon!

 

 

 

Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants Cooperative Agreement – Request for Applications

 

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is looking for partners to enter into a cooperative agreement for the Development and Implementation of the Healthy Meals Incentives School Food System Transformation (SFST) Challenge Sub-Grants.
 
Non-governmental entities, such as accredited colleges/universities, private or public non-profit or for-profit research institutions, and organizations with experience working with School Food Authorities (SFA) and/or food industry, are eligible to apply. Up to $50 million in funding will be awarded to up to four cooperators who will offer competitive SFST challenge sub-grants. Completed applications must be submitted on Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
 
Did you miss the informational webinar? Watch the Recording Here.

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team

 

 

Administrative Review (AR) & You Workshop

Do you have an AR this winter or spring? If so, consider joining SNT staff for the AR & You workshop! This training is designed to provide the tools and information you need for a successful AR. Join us virtually on Thursday, January 26 from 2 - 4:00 pm. Registration is not required; simply join via the link below on the day of the event. This is the same information presented during the September and October AR & You Workshops.
 
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 211 327 470 102
Passcode: eKCTv7
Or call in (audio only)
+1 608-620-9781,,670731323# United States, Madison
Phone Conference ID: 670 731 323#

 

 

 

FY 2022 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant Application OPEN

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released policy memorandum SP14-2022 regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs). Wisconsin has been awarded $1,103,633 from USDA and the American Rescue Plan to distribute to SFAs. Each SFA can request a maximum of $50,000 for up to two pieces of equipment. All Authorized Representatives and Food Service Directors received applications through individualized Qualtrics links on December 21, 2022.

Applicaitons are due on February 6, 2023, at 5:00 PM CST. SFAs should read the FY 2022 Equipment Assistance Grant Announcement Letter prior to completing their application. Additional resources are available on the Equipment Grant Webpage. Questions related to this grant can be directed to the Equipment Grant Team at DPIEquipGnt@dpi.wi.gov.

Around the World in 80 Trays - Next Week!

The annual Around the World in 80 Trays event is quickly approaching, January 16-20, 2023! Do not miss the chance to serve a globally inspired dish in honor of the unique cultural backgrounds of Wisconsin students! Visit the Around the World in 80 Trays webpage for sample menus and recipes, including Fast Recipe Ideas! Remember to Take the Pledge to help us reach our goal of 80 participating schools and districts.

2023 Whipping Up Wellness, Wisconsin Student Chef Competition

Wisconsin Team Nutrition is pleased to announce the eleventh annual Whipping Up Wellness, Wisconsin Student Chef Competition. Teams of middle and high school students are invited to develop a nutritious, student-friendly recipe featuring local foods that can be incorporated easily into the school food service program. The competition consists of a Recipe Contest and a Cooking Competition. Teams must submit a team application and an electronic photo of their dish to the Department of Public Instruction by March 16, 2023.

The top five finalists from the Recipe Contest will be invited to prepare their recipe during the Cooking Competition at Madison Area Technical College – Truax Campus on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Dishes will be judged on taste, student appeal, presentation, and creativity.

More information on the competition, including a link to the application, can be found on the Whipping up Wellness webpage. Happy cooking!

ServSafe Course and Exam

Registration is open for a ServSafe ® class in Sheboygan Falls, WI on Friday, February 17! Please see the ServSafe® Menu on the SNT’s Training Webpage to register. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.

Please note that the cost of the exam is $50 plus an additional $50-70 if you need to purchase the 7th Edition ServSafe® Manager coursebook.

School Breakfast Challenge: Register Today!

Register to participate in the Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge and complete school breakfast activities from our Big Cheese Scorecard to earn points towards cash prizes, February 1-24, 2023! The Wisconsin School Breakfast Challenge is a state-wide competition to increase participation in the School Breakfast Program. Schools are encouraged to engage with students, school staff, parents and community members to promote the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast at school. A School Breakfast Challenge Toolkit offers resources, rules, inspiration, strategies and fun! The SY 22/23 Challenge is made possible by our SNT partners No Kid Hungry, Hunger Task Force and SNA of Wisconsin.

Other Updates and Information
 

Wisconsin Chili Lunch

Wisconsin chili lunch logoFebruary 23, 2023 is the Wisconsin Chili Lunch! Participation is simple: Prepare and serve your Wisconsin Chili Lunch using as many locally grown ingredients as possible, and customize it to meet your needs! Use a recipe listed on the webpage above, or cook up your own favorite chili recipe. Register for the Chili Lunch to get the Chili Lunch Guide, supply chain help, more recipes and get connected to other farm to institution efforts in the state.

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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