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December 2023 Monthly Newsletter
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Resources
Click here for recordings and slides from past School Webinars.
Click here for archived program newsletters.
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Order No Cost Materials Today for NSBW and SLHD!
National School Breakfast Week takes place March 4-8, 2024. TDA is aligning with the School Nutrition Association (SNA) theme “Surf’s Up with School Breakfast”. TDA is also offering laminated posters for School Lunch Hero Day celebrations, which takes place May 3, 2024! Items are available for a limited time - order these materials at no cost here.
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Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products
USDA has released updated guidance on the crediting of tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP). The memorandum issued by USDA clarifies that offering commercially prepared tofu as a meat alternate extends to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), as well as to infants 6-11 months participating in CACFP and NSLP preschools. The memo also includes the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) recommendations for children under 2 years of age related to soy products such as tofu and soy yogurt.
The Request for Applications for two of USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives School Food System Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants Cooperators, is now open. Eligible School Food Authorities can submit RFAs for sub-grants from the Center for School and Community Partnerships at Boise State University and sub-grants from the Chef Ann Foundation (CAF),
Updated Guidance on Access to Domesticated and Wild Game Animals
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has released a revised memo clarifying regulatory requirements related to food safety and answering specific questions related to procurement of local meat, poultry, seafood, game, and eggs. FNS has revised the memo to better reflect opportunities to access domesticated and wild game animals.
USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative announced the release of five slightly revised Team Nutrition publications to assist Child Nutrition Program operators with serving meals in their programs. The resources have been updated to remove guidance related to the COVID 19 Pandemic, update images, and reflect the current USDA isobar and Team Nutrition URL.
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All CEs - Please Complete the Farm to School CensusThe 2023 Farm to School Census is due this month! All National School Lunch Program CEs - public, charter, and private, must fill out the Census to ensure the results reflect what’s happening in Texas. Participation in FNS research is required under the National School Lunch Act, regardless of your participation in farm to school. A personalized Census link was sent to CEs by email - contact the study project team toll-free at 866-986-2230 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. if you need the link resent or e-mail Farm2SchoolCensus@dir-online.com. Your ESC Specialist should have more information if you still need to complete it.
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Congratulations Local Food for Schools Recipients
Last month, Commissioner Sid Miller officially awarded 331 school districts between $30,000 and $250,000 in Local Food for Schools (LFS) grant funds to purchase local Texas foods. In total, more than $22.3 million was allocated across the state. The aim is to strengthen connections to farmers and ranchers, develop a Farm Fresh generation of Texans, and support Texas agriculture. Participating schools can visit www.squaremeals.org/LFS to learn more about purchase requirements, the reimbursement process, answers to frequently asked questions, and resources regarding the LFS opportunity.
FY2025 Reaching for Excellence (RFE) Grant Opportunity
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) invites school districts, charters, and campuses to apply for the RFE in Texas School Health Grant. The goal of the RFE grant is to fund projects that inspire students to live healthier lives. Awardees can receive up to $10,000 in funds. Applications are due January 22, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CT. For more information, please view the DSHS Grants and Awards Program webpage.
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Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards
The Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards spotlight school’s innovative practices and efforts in improving the nutritional quality of their school meals. Interested in applying? Awardees receive national recognition, a digital toolkit, and travel stipend to a National Healthy Meals Summit! Visit here to learn more and see the criteria for the eight categories of recognition.
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FSMC Contract Timelines
Click here for the Food Service Management Company Contract submittal and approval timelines.
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Click here for A few reminders for UAMs regarding processing of security for your staff.
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The Usage Analysis began December 4, 2023, and identifies RA accounts with low or no usage for USDA Foods accounts, including Further Processing, DoD Fresh and Direct Delivery.
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TDA, along with its state-contracted warehouses, is conducting its annual physical mid-year count in November and December. More information available here.
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USDA Foods Ordering Updates
- DoD FFV participants must complete their receipts in FFAVORS within 7 days of delivery from your DoD FFV vendor.
- Total Lunches Served (“TLS” a.k.a. Meal Count), which will adjust allocated entitlement for Program Year (PY) 2024, is expected to be completed by early to mid-December. TDA is awaiting USDA to update numbers for PY2023 and will communicate to schools once the update is complete. TDA anticipates a reduction in TLS at the State level, thus ordering additional truckloads of USDA Foods is considered complete for PY2024.
- The estimated Entitlement for PY2025 and DoD FFV distribution is anticipated to be applied in mid to late-December to WBSCM.
- TDA anticipates opening catalogs in WBSCM in early to mid-January for ordering PY2025. Please expect further email communication of required action closer to that timeframe.
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TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
COMMISSIONER SID MILLER
This product was funded by USDA.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. |
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