2% Milk Is No Longer Allowed

The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required schools serve only 1% and skim milk. The rationale on this is while 2% sounds low, it is actually 35% calories from fat. This is because milk is mainly water which does not have any calories.  The solid portion is made of protein and fat. The protein remains the same in every type of milk. It is the percent of fat that can change a non-fat product (skim milk) to a high fat product (2% milk). Be sure you are only serving 1% or skim milk. Schools that serve 2% milk may be required to return monies.

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Free and Reduced-price Eligibility Numbers

We receive many requests for free and reduced-price percentages from schools and other agencies. If you need this information, it is on our website at http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/reps/index.shtm

The percentages are listed by district and by site, in Excel and in pdf. Schools with 50% or more free and reduced-price students will be marked as “area eligible”.

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Complete On-Site Reviews by February 1

School sponsors with more than one foodservice site must conduct at least one on-site review at each location. The review must take place prior to February 1. The completed review form is kept in the district’s file and is not returned to the state office.

The purpose of on-site reviews is to verify that:

1. the claim is based on the approved counting system,
2. the implemented system yields the actual number of reimbursable free, reduced price and paid meals served, and
3. the site is using the correct master list of free and reduced price students.

If the review discloses problems, the sponsor must:

1. ensure that the site develops and implements a corrective action plan, and
2. conduct an on-site follow-up review within 45 calendar days of the initial review to determine that the corrective action has been completed

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Second Meals and Adult Meals are Not Reimbursable Meals for FNP Claims

We have found a few schools claiming adult meals or second meals in the paid category on monthly reimbursement claims. This is not allowed. USDA will only reimburse schools for one meal per student and there is no reimbursement for adult meals.

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SY 2012-2013 FFVP Application

The North Dakota Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) Application for the 2012-2013 School Year will be available on March 26. Funding is available only for “elementary” students – those enrolled in grades K-8. The application will be mailed to the principal of each elementary school with an October 2011 free and reduced percentage of 50 percent or higher. The application will also be posted on our FFVP web page for all elementary schools to download. http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/ffvp/index.shtm

The application process is competitive and based on percentage of free and reduced priced eligible students (with priority only given to those 50 percent and above), school demographic information, creativity of proposal, planned partnerships with additional agencies, and ability to maintain the program at the school and use funding by the end of the 2012-2013 school year. How well the current year’s money was spent will also be a factor.

There are a few changes to the process this year. Carefully read the following instructions.

1. Schools meeting the following criteria simply need to complete and mail in pages 3, 6 & 7.

1. Are currently participating in the program with a 50 percent or higher free/reduced ratio  AND
2. Have retained a 50 percent or higher free/reduced rating in the elementary grades (K-8) for which grant is being applied (as reported in October 2011)
   
   (Send the other pages only if there are significant changes to what was submitted for SY 2011-2012.)

2. Schools not meeting the above criteria must complete the entire application.
3. All applications must be mailed in this year with original signatures on the final page.
4. Applications are due in our office with postmark no later than Friday, April 13, 2012.

If you have questions or need assistance filling out the application, call Kaye in our office (888-338-3663).

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Application on Behalf of a Child

School officials may complete an income application for a student known to be eligible if the household fails to apply. The school official must complete an application on behalf of the student based on the household size and income information available, and make an eligibility determination. The source of the information must be noted on the application. For example: “We know the financial situation of this family would qualify for free meals, the parents have not responded to repeated requests to fill out an income application”.  The school official needs to sign or initial this note on the application.

Names of household members, Social Security number, and signature of an adult household member do not need to be secured. These applications are excluded from verification. However, the household must be notified that the student has been approved and is receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits.

This option is intended for limited use in individual situations and must not be used to make eligibility determinations for categories or groups of students or just because a family has not been paying for meals. This option is not allowed in schools who do not charge for meals such as during a Provision 2 base year.

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 Free Training from the National Food Service Management Institute

Hosted by ND Department of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Food Distribution

Doublewood Inn
1400 E Interchange Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501-2077 – 701 258-7000

A block of rooms are being held till January 27th
Bismarck, ND
February 7-9, 2012
 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

8 Hours Continuing Education Credit Units

February 7, 2012 – HealthierUS School Challenge 
 
The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. This eight-hour course reviews materials that provide a comprehensive discussion of the HealthierUS School Challenge and strategies for meeting the criteria. Lessons include information about Dietary Guidelines, and promotion of whole grains, vegetables and fruits in school meals. Finally, the presentation will delve into meeting the menu and competitive foods criteria. Participants will come away with a solid understanding of how to put plans into action.

Master Pathways

Nutrition personnel who have completed the eleven courses in the Pathways to a Quality School Foodservice training series or a district manager are eligible to attend.

10 Hours Continuing Education Credit Units

February 8-9, 2012 – Foundations for Training Excellence 
            Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm      Thursday  8:00 am – 12:00 pm
The Foundations for Training Excellence seminar is part of an ongoing effort to develop and support a national network of trainers by NFSMI.

This seminar is intended to assist participants in assessing the current level of skill they already possess and to encourage further professional development. It will also give the participants tools and resources they can take back to their workplaces to use immediately.

The objectives of the seminar are to identify personal strengths and gaps in training skills, apply the principles of adult learners and types of intelligences to effective training in school nutrition programs, and utilize a variety of NFSMI tools, tips, and resources to improve the effectiveness of training techniques.

To register for one or both sessions, please fill out the Pathways registration

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Resources for Questions

The Administrative Manual for School Nutrition Programs is available on our website.

The Eligibility Manual for questions on free and reduced-price income applications is also available.

http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/child/  click on Partners, then Administrators/Record keepers.

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Free On-Line Sanitation and Safety Training

The National Food Service Management Institute is offering a 12 hour on-line Serving It Safe Course, which will be  accepted to meet the requirement of the 10 hour Sanitation and Safety provided by  CNFD.

Online training provides a self-paced course that may be completed over multiple sessions. Once you have completed the course, a certificate of completion is provided and will need to be sent to the CNFD office to be recorded. To take this on-line course , you will need to register at the following link;

http://www.nfsmi.org/Templates/TemplateDefault.aspx?qs=cElEPTM=

The CNFD Unit will still offer the 10 hour Sanitation and Safety course as many participants may benefit from the in person class time and discussions with other food services workers. If you have any questions, you may contact Kaye Knudson at 701-328-2275 or e-mail ksnudson@nd.gov .

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North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
Kirsten Baesler, State Superintendent
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0440
701/328-2260

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