Summer Food Service Program
Competitive Procurement and Private Grants for School Food Programs
It has been brought to our attention that some schools may be applying for or participating in grant programs aimed at assisting schools with start-up and/or expansion, especially of the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The foundations sponsoring the grants are associated with companies that provide goods and services to the school meal programs. Review of these grant programs revealed that at least some contain a mandatory purchasing component, requiring recipients to purchase and use a vendor's specified product for a stipulated amount of time.
Applying Geographic Preferences in Procurements for the Child Nutrition Programs
This memorandum provides information on a provision of the recently enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) that applies to procurements in the Child Nutrition Programs. Section 4302 of P.L. 110-246 amended section 9(j) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage institutions operating the Child Nutrition Programs to purchase unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products.
Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2010: Privacy Protection and the Use of Social Security Numbers in Child Nutrition
Section 301 of the The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (the Act), Public Law 111-296 amends section 9(d)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(d) (1)) by removing the requirement that the adult household member who signs a household application for free and reduced-price meals also must provide his or her complete Social Security Number (SSN), as a condition of eligibility. As amended by the Act, Section 9(d)(1) now requires that only the last four digits of the SSN must be provided on the application.
Revised: Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products
Full USDA memo in printer-friendly form can be found here:https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/crediting-tofu-and-soy-yogurt-products-schoo....
Single Audit-Child Nutrition Cluster and Other Grants
SFAs have asked if the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Food Service Equipment Assistance Grant, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grant are included in the child nutrition cluster.
The child nutrition cluster consists of the: School Breakfast Program CFDA 10.553, National School Lunch Program CFDA 10.555, Special Milk Program CFDA 10.556 and the Summer Food Service Program CFDA 10.559.
Single Audit Issues-Sanctions for Non-Compliance School Food Authorities (SFAs)
School Food Authorities (SFAs) expending more than $500,000 in Federal dollars must conduct single audits in accordance with OMB Circular A-133.
Both Federal regulations (3052.225) and Circular A-133 mandate that State agencies take immediate corrective action when sub-recipients (SFAs) either do not conduct single audits, or conduct single audits not in accordance with A-133.
Children with Diabetes
Children with Diabetes- A Resource Guide for Families and Schools from NYS Department of Health
Making Accommodations for Children with Celiac Disease
Making Accommodations for Children with Celiac Disease
More school food service directors/managers are making dietary accommodations for children who have been diagnosed with celiac disease. Since this diagnosis is increasing, it is helpful for you to have a basic understanding of this illness so you and your staff can provide appropriate meals for children in your school.
Managing Peanut Allergies
Each school year, many school food authorities (SFAs) seek guidance to assist them with developing policies and plans that address keeping students with food allergies safe in the school environment.
Signage for Cafeterias
There are several companies that have relatively inexpensive signage available for purchase to illustrate USDA's MyPlate icon and/or ways to communicate the new meal pattern. We (the New York State Education Department) do not endorse or advocate specific companies or products. I just want to let you know of available options. Some districts are laminating the USDA posters.
If you decide to order your own signage using USDA's MyPlate materials, I have provided USDA's guide and conditions for using their icon.