Events, Trainings and Resources
The new year is almost here and that means you can start planning to attend the Texas Department of Agriculture’s MegaCon 2023, May 9-11. The annual event will bring approximately 1,000 contracting entities to Austin for three days of education, interaction, and recognition. All the excitement will take place over four floors of the AT&T Conference Center at the University of Texas.
Now Available! New Food Yields Added to the Food Buying Guide
New yields are now available in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based (FBG) Tool and FBG Mobile App! New yield data is available for these highly requested foods: apple bananas, chokecherries, taro, and fresh apples. Stay tuned for additional yield data releases coming soon.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 authorized non-congregate meal service in rural areas for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO). TDA is using the discretion provided by the Act to create a Non-Congregate Feeding Pilot Program for summer 2023 in rural areas where no congregate service exists.
Updated Summer FAQs Posted
Updated Summer 2023 Frequently Asked Questions have been posted to the Summer Meals Programs Policy/Handbook page on SquareMeals. Refer to the Policy Updates and News section at the top of the page for the link to the FAQs and a high level synopsis of what was added.
Wednesday, May 24th at 12pm EDT In this webinar hosted by No Kid Hungry, rural district FNS Directors and school leaders will describe innovative models and methods they have used to gain support and improve their overall programs and best practices. Participants will learn how to implement a shared services model and about rural district network opportunities. Click above to register.
May 23rd at 3pm EDT. Join No Kid Hungry for the fourth webinar of the five-part series, School’s Out, Food’s In, which will talk about the summer meals program planning process and share strategies to improve the summer meals experience for kids and families. Register by clicking the title above.
2023 Turnip the Beet!
The Turnip the Beet award recognizes outstanding Summer Meal Programs across the nation who work hard to offer high quality meals to children that are appetizing, appealing, and nutritious! Visit SquareMeals.org/turnipthebeet for more information, the 2023 nomination form, Turnip the Beet Best Practices and Resource Guide!
Feedback Surveys Moving to New Platform
Feedback surveys sent to CEs following a compliance review and application approval are moving to Smartsheet and are no longer available in Jotform. Invitations to participate in feedback surveys will come directly from Smartsheet beginning April 2023.
The Summer Meal Programs provide healthy and nutritious meals after the school year ends to children 18 years and younger and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has developed no-cost, online resources and printed materials you can use to promote the availability of these meals for families in need. Make sure you are utilizing new materials this year. Please visit the Summer Meals Resources linked in the title above to order no-cost, print materials today!