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School Nutrition Bulletin 2324-12

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

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

 

Up for a Little Friendly Competition?!
 

In the 2019 USDA Farm to School Census, we tied with Michigan.

In 2023, we can beat them!!!

Current stats as of earlier this week:
WI: 30.4% response rate
MI: 28.5% response rate

USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced the 2023 Farm to School Census around September 25, and each school food authority (SFA) should have received an introductory email about the census. On October 2, each SFA should have received an SFA-specific link to the 2023 survey.

Responding to FNS research requests is required under the National School Lunch Act, and it is important that all SFAs participate, regardless of their participation in farm to school activities. The Farm to School Census is our best tool for collecting important information to help us support your farm to school efforts.

Tools to help you with the Census:

USDA knows that many SFAs have partners that help them get local foods in the cafeteria and classroom. This year, Census surveys will be “shareable” for the first time, so SFAs can leverage the help of their partners in gathering accurate data on their district or schools’ farm to school activities. USDA encourages SFAs to collaborate with partners they engage with in school gardens, farm field trips, curriculum development, and more to share a comprehensive farm to school story through the Census.

The goal for the 2023 Farm to School Census is 80% participation rate. We can get there! Below are some new resources (and oldies but goodies) to support and assist you in encouraging SFA participation.

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team

 

Reporting and Annual Claim Reminders for School Meal Programs
 

The following Reports are required when operating the USDA child nutrition programs. More information and links to the reporting portals can be found on the Reporting webpage.

As a reminder, please reference the Calendar of Program Requirements to track upcoming reporting deadlines and program requirements.

Report: Annual Financial Report (AFR) for SY 2022-23
Due Date: August 31, 2023
October Lunch Claim: October lunch claim and any future claims cannot be submitted until the report is completed.

Report: FNS-10
Portal Open: November 1, 2023
Due Date: November 30, 2023
October Lunch Claim: October lunch claim and any future claims cannot be submitted until the report is completed.

Report: Paid Lunch Price Report (PLP)
Portal Open: November 1, 2023
Due Date: November 15, 2023
October Lunch Claim: October lunch claim cannot be submitted until the report is completed.

Report: Verification Collection Report (VCR)
Portal Open: November 1, 2023
Due Date: February 1, 2024
October Lunch Claim: Refer to the verification memo emailed September 19, 2023, with specific information on the verification process for your SFA. This report is not tied to October lunch claim. See the Verification webpage for more information. SFAs that have not completed the VCR by the due date may be placed in withholding until it is completed and approved.

Report: Wisconsin School Day Milk Program (WSDMP) Annual Claim for SY 2022-23, if applicable
Due Date: August 31, 2023
October Lunch Claim: October lunch claim and any future claims cannot be submitted until the claim is submitted.
 

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Reminder
 

The DPI SNT reminds school food authorities (SFAs) not to send any PII to us by unencrypted email. PII may include student names, copies of applications, verification documents, etc. Oftentimes we can answer eligibility questions without the use of PII. However, if it is necessary for us to review PII, please contact us first and we can send you a secure link to email the documents or discuss the situation over the phone.
 

Register Now! 2023 SNA-WI Partnership in Industry Conference- USDA Foods Direct Diversion Training and Food Show
 

School food authorities (SFAs) can Now Register to attend the fall SNA-WI Partnership in Industry Conference at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI on Monday and Tuesday, December 4-5.

The USDA Foods Direct Diversion Training and Food Show portion will be held on Monday December 4. All SFAs in the USDA Foods Program who are considering Direct Diversion or already managing a Direct Diversion Program are encouraged to attend. You do not need to be an SNA-WI member. This portion of the conference is free.

The Direct Diversion portion includes a 2.5-hour training from 9:30-12 PM hosted by the DPI USDA Foods and Procurement Team plus entry to the Industry Show in the afternoon. This year’s session is titled: Direct Diversion Behind the Scenes: Playing the State Agency Role. To assist SFAs with their role and the earlier procurement timeline, an updated Direct Diversion Program eLearning course is now available. Please review this basic session prior to the in-person training. SFAs can also review the School Year 2024-25 (Program Year 2025) List of Approved Processors and other resources pertaining to Direct Diversion on the SNT Direct Diversion Program webpage.
 

Share How Your School Food Authority (SFA) celebrated National Farm to School Month!
 

The DPI School Nutrition Team is excited to hear how your SFA celebrated National Farm to School Month this October. Please share photos and/or success stories documenting your participation by email to dpifns@dpi.wi.gov and we will share in a future bulletin.

Other Updates and Information

 

Child Nutrition on Demand Topic Survey

ICN needs your help identifying topics for the next installment of the Child Nutrition on Demand (CNoD) video series. We'd like to hear from you on what general topics are important for School Nutrition Professionals.

To share which topics you'd like to see covered in the next installment, click on the link above.
 

Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition - Live Demo: New School Breakfast Recipes from the Georgia Department of Education’s Culinary Specialists

Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM CST
Description: Join us for an exciting culinary demonstration brought to you by the Georgia Department of Education's Culinary Specialists. Georgia’s team of expert school nutrition chefs will showcase innovative and nutritious breakfast recipes designed specifically for school cafeterias. Discover creative ways to revitalize morning meals for students, elevate your school breakfast program, and ensure students start their day with delicious and wholesome options. Objective(s): Identify and describe innovative breakfast recipes suitable for school nutrition programs. Describe creative culinary techniques and strategies to enhance the nutritional value and appeal of school breakfast options. Develop a plan for implementing new breakfast recipes and menu enhancements in your school nutrition program to promote healthier and more delicious morning meals for students.

Learning Objective(s):

  • Identify and describe innovative breakfast recipes suitable for school nutrition programs.
  • Describe creative culinary techniques and strategies to enhance the nutritional value and appeal of school breakfast options.
  • Develop a plan for implementing new breakfast recipes and menu enhancements in your school nutrition program to promote healthier and more delicious morning meals for students.

SNA Key Area(s): 1 - Nutrition, 2 - Operations, 4 - Communications/Marketing
USDA Professional Standard Code(s): 1100 Menu Planning, 2100 Food Production, 4100 Communications and Marketing
 

Announcing the School Nutrition Association - Wisconsin Mentor/Mentee Program for School Food Service Professionals!
 

Sign up to be either a MENTOR or a MENTEE by filling out the Sign-Up Form.

Mentor Roles and Responsibilities: The mentor role is to share knowledge, advice, and resources with a mentee. They can also provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modeling. They will maintain confidentiality, be an active listener and be honest on how much time they have to help the mentee.

Mentee Roles and Responsibilities: The mentee's role is to ask questions and seek out help to be successful in their program. They will maintain confidentiality, be an active listener, and recognize the importance of the mentor's time. Mentees might have specific questions on where to find information, help with certain situations, how to run reports, etc.

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