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March 2024 Monthly Newsletter
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Learn, collaborate, and inspire at TDA’s MEGACON! We hope you will join us May 14-16 at MEGACON for the latest state and federal updates, best practices, and guidance for enriching your program. Take away an understanding of guidelines for federal food nutrition programs. A Sneak Peek Agenda is available now. Register today!
Visit SquareMeals.org for more information.
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It's Here! National CACFP Week
Celebrate National CACFP Week through March 16 with TDA! CACFP Week is a national education and information campaign sponsored annually by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program works to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for adults in daycare and children in child care homes, centers, and in afterschool and summer meal programs across the country. Visit SquareMeals to find more information. #TXCACFP #CACFPWeek
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The 2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) and associated forms for all child nutrition and household programs have been released and posted to SquareMeals. Participant income applications that also contain the IEGs will be released closer to their effective date of July 1, 2024.
RELEASE: Small Purchase Log
A revised Small Purchase Log has been released on the CACFP, Summer Meals, and NSLP Administration/Forms pages on SquareMeals. The previous version of this form was designed specifically for NSLP CEs, but it has been updated so that any Child Nutrition Program operator can track their small purchases throughout the Program Year.
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Help Texas Communities Get the Message with Summer Meal Programs Promotional Materials
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has developed no-cost materials you can use to promote the availability of summer meals for families in need. Click here to order no-cost materials today! Also available are downloadable resources such as buttons and banners that can be used on websites and emails, and bookmarks and door hangers that can be printed out and distributed.
CACFP Training on SquareMeals.org
CACFP Training on squaremeals.org has been updated. There are course options from TDA, links to ESC LIVE, and courses offered by The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). Click here for details.
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New Resource - It's Breakfast Time!
Team Nutrition is excited to announce a new breakfast menu planner for children 3-18 years of age – Available in English and Spanish. Check out the updated snack menu planners for children 3-18 years of age– Available in English and Spanish.
National Child Nutrition Conference - Virtual Scholarships Available!
Are you interested in attending the National Child Nutrition Conference virtually? NCNC is awarding up to 100 virtual scholarships – Apply here! The deadline is Friday, March 15 and recipients will be notified on Friday, March 22.
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Farm Fresh Surveys Open Now
TDA has created a short (5–10 minutes) survey to support Farm Fresh programming. This year’s survey has been revamped to be less time consuming for CEs. It includes questions that will help determine what resources can be created to increase Farm Fresh activities. Respondents can remain anonymous. Please take a few minutes to complete the form here: Farm Fresh Survey ‘24
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RELEASE: School Data for Area Eligibility ReportTDA must, on an annual basis, publish a list of schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) in which at least one-half of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The School Data for Area Eligibility 2023-2024 report, based on October 2023 claims data for non-CEP schools and the April 2023 CEP ISP report for CEP schools, has been posted to SquareMeals.
RELEASE: Proposed Rule for Serious Deficiency Process in SFSP and CACFP
On February 21, 2024, Food and Nutrition Service published the Proposed Rule entitled “Serious Deficiency Process in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).” Through this proposed rulemaking, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is proposing important modifications to the serious deficiency process in CACFP, extending the process to CACFP unaffiliated sponsored centers, and establishing a serious deficiency process in SFSP.
Action Required: Validation of All Unaffiliated At-Risk Sites
In efforts to ensure that all sponsors of unaffiliated CACFP At-Risk sites are providing the proper operational oversight over the management and administration of the food program at those sites, and to ensure that sponsors are properly procuring meal vendors and FSMCs at At-Risk locations, TDA is requiring all sponsors of unaffiliated At-Risk sites to complete a questionnaire/attestation form.
Now available: The Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Manual
The Child Nutrition (CN) Labeling Manual is now available online. The CN Labeling Manual provides food manufacturers with instructions on how to apply for and obtain approval for a Child Nutrition (CN) label.
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SFSP/CACFP Compensation Instructions
Click here for instructions on how to enter an employee’s annual compensation when the employee works in both CACFP and SFSP.
Clarification of Allowable Flexibilities for Child Nutrition Programs Experiencing Milk Supply Shortages
USDA FNS is aware that schools in multiple states are experiencing milk supply chain challenges related to packaging issues. This memorandum provides state agencies with information about existing authority related to schools and other child nutrition program operators experiencing inadequate milk supply. FNS encourages state agencies to use this authority when needed to support program operators impacted by the current milk packaging challenges. Click here for information.
The 2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) and associated forms for all child nutrition and household programs have been released and posted to SquareMeals. Participant income applications that also contain the IEGs will be released closer to their effective date of July 1, 2024.
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Resource|Policy MemoThis memorandum provides updated guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and extends previous guidance on crediting tofu and soy yogurt products to the Summer Food Service Program, as well as to the infant meal pattern in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
This notice corrects a table for the initial Child Nutrition Program Income Eligibility Guidelines. This memorandum provides additional information regarding the provisions related to the frequency and number of reviews for state agencies monitoring the Child and Adult Care Food Program, that were codified in the Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule published on Aug.23, 2023. These provisions have a compliance date of Aug. 23, 2024.
RELEASE: Small Purchase Log A revised Small Purchase Log has been released on the CACFP, Summer Meals, and NSLP Administration/Forms pages on SquareMeals. The previous version of this form was designed specifically for NSLP CEs, but it has been updated so that any Child Nutrition Program operator can track their small purchases throughout the Program Year.
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Food Allergies: New Online Resources
FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) has released an improved Food Allergy Academy. Explore instructor-led classes, self-guided courses, and live webinars covering a variety of food allergy topics! Be ready to feed your participants safely. Visit here for more information.
The Food Buying Guide has been updated with new foods and features, including an interactive flow chart on using the preparation yield and an ounces-to-pounds calculator.
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The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) recommends registering with the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) on the ICN Website. ICN offers a wide range of self-paced trainings to help you navigate the complexities of CACFP. Their resources cover various aspects of the program, including nutrition, meal planning, and compliance.
For those seeking additional training courses or looking for local in-person training options, we recommend visiting your local Education Service Center's website. You can find a list of Education Service Centers on SquareMeals.org. They often offer region-specific training opportunities and resources.
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Contact Information
Email contacts for technical assistance -
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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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