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School Nutrition Bulletin 2324-16

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Announcements from the WI DPI School Nutrition Team (SNT)

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

Action Required: USDA Farm to School (F2S) Census

The USDA F2S Census is the only national survey that examines local food purchasing, school gardens, and agricultural education efforts in schools. The results of the survey are crucial to informing future F2S program resources. Completion of the Census will enter your SFA into a raffle for fun prizes.

Please email DPIF2S@dpi.wi.gov to check if your SFA’s Census is complete and/or for the direct link to your SFA’s Census.

Results as of 12/15/2023 from the Midwest Region

State

Percent Complete

Illinois

53.3%

Indiana

59.6%

Iowa

69.7%

Michigan

55.6%

Minnesota

47.4%

Ohio

54.1%

WISCONSIN

66.7%

 

WOOHOO Wisconsin! The goal is an 80% response rate and to beat all of the other Midwest states! We can do this!
 

Building Support for School Meals with Team Nutrition
 

Apply for a Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grant

On November 27, two of the four cooperators for USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) Initiative School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants, Chef Ann Foundation (CAF) and Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University, released Requests for Applications (RFA). The sub-grants will support collaborative projects between school districts, food producers, suppliers, distributors, and/or community partners to stimulate the creation of a resilient, equitable, and nutritious school food system.

CAF’s RFA for Partnerships for Local Agriculture & Nutrition Transformation in Schools (PLANTS) will close January 22, 2024.

The Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University’s RFA for Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems (Project SCALES) will close January 26, 2024. (See below for more information about this opportunity.)

Check out the HMI School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grant webpage for more information.
 

Celebrate Your School Meal Success with a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award

There are many ways to serve school meals and the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards for School Food Authorities are designed to celebrate the innovative practices taking place across the country! Whether it is preparation techniques, menu planning, cultural diversity of meals, incorporation of local foods, community engagement, or nutrition education – uplift your school meal program by applying for a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award today! Recognition Award winners will receive national and local recognition, as well as an exclusive invitation and a travel stipend to attend one of the National Healthy Meals Summits.

To learn more, visit Healthy meals Incentives webpage.
 

Apply for a Farm to School Grant

The Fiscal Year 2024 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now open. To apply, visit Grants.gov.

Check out the Grant Applicant Resources webpage to access other helpful resources, including links to webinars that provide assistance on applying for a Farm to School Grant. Applications are due January 12, 2024.
 

Order Print Copies

State agencies, program operators, and sponsoring organizations that participate in the USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs can request free print copies of our materials, while supplies last.

Order Now for National School Breakfast Week in March:

Watch Team Nutrition Webinar Recordings

In case you missed it! View these newly released webinar recordings:

For more recorded webinars, visit Team Nutrition's Webinars & Training webpage.

 

Applications Open for Innovation and Partnership in Rural School Food Systems!

As part of the USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative (HMI), funding and learning support is now available for a cohort of up to 35 rural school food authorities (SFAs) across the nation.

Project SCALES (Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education Systems) will work with SFAs over a two-year period as they build partnerships for innovative solutions to increase local procurement in their school meal programs. The Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University will provide a subgrant (up to $150,000) for each SFA, with technical assistance including a learning community provided by the experts at LunchAssist.

For more information, please visit the Project Scales website.

The online application portal is open and the deadline for submitting applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on January 26, 2024.

Is your SFA eligible to apply? These are the eligibility criteria:

  • Rural school districts/SFAs (those with a locale code of 41, 42, or 43 according to the National Center for Education Statistics); visit the National Center for Education Statistics Locale Lookup to check their online tool).
  • Participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
  • SFAs that provide meals for charter schools and groups of non-profit private schools are also eligible to apply. If you have questions about eligibility please email us at info@projectscales.com.

Updates from the DPI School Nutrition Team

 

SNT is Hiring: Operations Program Associate (OPA)

The SNT is hiring an OPA to provide excellent customer service and support to Wisconsin school food authorities. If you or anyone you know is interested, please consider applying! The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
 

Excess Cash Balance – Updated Process for Determining Compliance

Beginning in school year (SY) 2023-24, utilizing data from the SY 2022-23 Annual Financial Report, Wisconsin DPI will change the calculation for determining whether a school food authority (SFA) has an excess cash balance. This is a result of flexibility offered in the regulations that allow state agencies to choose the number of months utilized when determining an excess cash balance, within reason. After further discussion with USDA, six months rather than three months will be utilized when determining compliance with the regulations.

This will allow some SFAs with a large fund balance to carryover more funds than previously allowable to maintain nonprofit status. SFAs that are found to have an excess cash balance using this new calculation will be notified in the coming months and will be required to have an approved Excess Cash Balance Corrective Action Plan in place to spend the excess funds.

To calculate 6 months’ average operating expenses:

(Total operating expenses for the school year ÷ 9) × (6).

If this amount is greater than the ending fund balance, the SFA has an excess cash balance and will need to have an approved Excess Cash Balance Corrective Action Plan.
 

And Justice For All Posters

The USDA has not yet provided printed And Justice For All posters with the updated nondiscrimination statement for distribution to school food authorities (SFAs). Until received, if additional posters are needed, they will need to be printed in color in the required 11x17 size and 14-point. We have received clarification from USDA that SFAs are in compliance if either the 2019 or 2022 version of the poster is displayed. See the footer on the poster to know what year it is.

The 2022 version of the poster is for State/local use and includes the statement “FNS USE ONLY” which is meant to convey that the poster is for State/Local Agencies that operate FNS Programs (as opposed to other USDA Programs).

Reminder, any private SFA that has elected the religious exemption and is utilizing the 2015 version of the nondiscrimination statement must use the 2019 version of the poster.
 

FY 2023 National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant Application Open

The USDA) released policy memorandum SP18-2023 regarding the Fiscal Year 2023 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities (SFAs). Wisconsin has been awarded $405,639 from USDA to distribute to SFAs. Each SFA can request a maximum of $25,000 for up to two pieces of equipment.

All Authorized Representatives and Food Service Directors received applications through individualized Qualtrics links by email on November 27, 2023. Applications are due on January 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST. SFAs should read the FY 2023 Equipment Assistance Grant Announcement Letter prior to completing their application.

The USDA NSLP Equipment Grant webpage contains additional resources to assist SFAs with the application process including:

Questions related to this grant should be directed to the Equipment Grant Team at DPIEquipGnt@dpi.wi.gov.
 

Supply Chain Assistance Funds-Round Four

Round four of the USDA Supply Chain Assistance Funds have been processed and are available to view in the STAR Aids Register for school food authorities that accepted them. In the next couple of months, the Authorized Representative listed in the School Nutrition Online Contract will receive a notice about interest in reallocated funds. Keep an eye out!
 

Around the World in 80 Trays- New Recipes!

Join the School Nutrition Team for the Around the World in 80 Trays event, encouraging schools to prepare a globally inspired dish(es) during the week of January 15-19, 2024! Visit the Around the World in 80 Trays webpage for recipes. NEW this year are recipes that feature Somali, Ukrainian, Japanese and German cuisines! Remember to Take the Pledge to help us reach our goal of 80 participating schools and districts.
 

Virtual Administrative Review (AR) & You Workshop

The 2023-24 Virtual Administrative Review (AR) & You Workshop will be hosted once more on Thursday, January 18, 2024, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. If you missed the September and October offerings and are receiving an Administrative Review this year, don't miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge of the AR process.

Registration will open on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. To reserve your place, and ensure you don't miss out on this valuable learning experience, visit the DPI SNT Training webpage for more information.

Other Updates and Information

 

Produce Procurement: Understanding Availability and Specs, Determining What You Want, and the Importance of a Collaborative Relationship With Your Produce Distributor
 

Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Time: 2 – 3:00 PM CST

In this webinar, a school nutrition leader and produce distributors will discuss their commitment to making fresh produce more readily available in school meals. We will hear about how school operators set goals and plan their procurements, while distributors will share how they work with school customers to maximize quality, variety, and overall collaboration. Together, their goals are to provide students with great-tasting produce that encourages increased consumption of these healthy foods.

Additionally, distributors will provide guidance about how schools can request and spec certain items for their bid, share their knowledge about local and year-round growing seasons, and on-farm factors that may impact the supply of various produce commodities. This conversation will also provide an opportunity to share what information and flexibility each party may need from each other to enhance the overall business partnership.

SNA Key Area(s): 1 – Nutrition, 2 – Operations
USDA Professional Standards Code(s): 1100 – Menu Planning, 2400 – Purchasing/Procurement
Learning Objective(s):

  • Recognize the steps involved in planning and setting goals for procuring fresh produce in school nutrition programs.
  • Apply skills to foster collaborative relationships with produce distributors, enhancing the quality and variety of fresh produce in school meals.
  • Discuss the procurement process, including requesting specific produce items, considering local growing seasons, and understanding on-farm factors affecting fresh produce supply.
     

Check Out Free Training Webinars from the Institute of Child Nutrition

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) offers free trainings on a broad range of topics for child nutrition professionals working in school nutrition and child care settings.

Don't miss this upcoming webinar:

  • January 4, 2024: Culinary Institute of Child Nutrition (CICN) Webinar – Produce Procurement: Understanding Availability and Specs, Determining What You Want, and the Importance of a Collaborative Relationship with Your Produce Distributor

To receive webinar and registration information for upcoming webinars, please Subscribe to the ICN Newsletter. A link to register will be sent to subscribers one week before the webinar date.

Can't make it to a live webinar? View past webinars and learn anytime, anywhere on ICN's online learning management system, iLearn.
 

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Opens Wisconsin Farm To School Grant Program Through February 2

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for the Wisconsin Farm to School Grant Program through 5 pm on Friday, February 2, 2024. DATCP will award a total of up to $250,000 in Farm to School grants.

This one-time, federal funding has been provided with the purpose of expanding or creating new farm to school activities. The goal of the Wisconsin Farm to School Grant Program is to enable communities to develop partnerships, implement initiatives, and strengthen Wisconsin’s farm to school network. Successful projects will gather impact and outcome data, measure grant program demand, and capture success stories for ongoing support and funding. Funds are not intended to provide one-time funding for farm to school meals.

Eligible applications should include three or more partners engaging youth in farm to school activities. Applicants must identify a school food service director, an early care education (ECE) director, and/or an authorized school or community nutrition program representative.

Projects ranging in size from $10,000 to $40,000 will be funded for one year following a competitive review process. Eligible expenses include salaries, equipment rental/lease, materials, and supplies. Matching funds of 25% of the award, or 20% of the total project, is required. Selected applicants will be contracted for work to begin in March 2024.

An informational webinar on the Farm to School grant will be hosted by DATCP at 1 p.m. on January 11, 2024. Registration is required. To register for the webinar, access the grant information and application materials, or learn more about the program, visit the DATCP Farm to School webpage. For more information on the grant, email DATCPdadgrants@wisconsin.gov.
 

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program Grant Applications Open Through March 6

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for the Wisconsin Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. The purpose of the RFSI Program is to expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally- and regionally-produced food products, including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other value-added food products. Funding for the program is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A total of $27 million will be awarded through a competitive grant process. Grant applications are due by 5 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.

RFSI Program has two grant tracks, the Infrastructure Grant and the Equipment-Only Grant. Applicants may only apply for one track.

Infrastructure Grants will range from $100,000 up to $3 million. This grant can fund capital investments such as construction, equipment (e.g. delivery vehicles, frozen or refrigerated storage, value-added food processing equipment, or other equipment for middle-of-the food supply chain activities), and building renovations. Infrastructure Grants can also fund facility design or engineering, staff time, modernizing systems (e.g. tracking, storage, information technology, etc.), plan development (e.g. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan), and market development. A match is required for Infrastructure Grants and starts at 50% of the total project cost. However, if the main applicant qualifies as underserved, the match requirement will be reduced to 25% of the total project cost.

Equipment-Only Grants can range from $10,000 up to $99,999. This grant can only fund equipment (examples provided above). Equipment may be new, used, or refurbished. No match is required for Equipment-Only Grants.

RFSI grant project proposals must expand middle-of-the food supply chain capacity for locally- and regionally-produced foods and offer more and better market opportunities to small and mid-sized agricultural producers. This includes those who may not have access to value-added opportunities or processing to meet market demand for premium or value-added products, such as underserved producers.

An informational webinar about the RFSI grants will be held at 11 a.m. on January 9, 2024 via Zoom. Registration is required. To access the webinar registration, learn more about the program, or sign up for automatic email updates about the RFSI Program, visit the Wisconsin Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program webpage. If you have questions about the program, email RFSI@wisconsin.gov.
 

School Nutrition Environment and Services: Policies and Practices That Promote Healthy Eating Among K-12 Students - Review Identifies Ways to Improve School Nutrition

A systematic review of 97 articles identified ways schools can improve nutrition services and help students adopt food and beverage choices that support health.

The authors found that the following actions resulted in increased selection and consumption of healthier foods and beverages:

  • Providing school nutrition professionals with professional development
  • Improving the palatability of school meals
  • Offering taste tests
  • Pre-slicing fruit
  • Providing recess before lunch
  • Offering incentives for trying healthier options
  • Providing access to drinking water

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