Friday Focus
February 10, 2023
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
message from the director
There's a lot to love and celebrate in February - Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras and yes, even the Super Bowl. What does football have to do with child nutrition, you might ask? As a young girl, I loved watching football with my Dad. I remember one of the NFL's most famous plays, the Immaculate Reception in 1972 when Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a Hail Mary pass with 22 seconds left in the game that bounced off another player's helmet and into the hands of running back Franco Harris who ran it in for a touchdown. Franco Harris won four super bowls with the Steelers and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When he retired from football, Franco Harris founded Super Bakery which specializes in nutritious whole grain baked goods specially formulated to meet school meal requirements. The delicious banana bread we serve is from Super Bakery. I was lucky enough to meet Franco at several events he hosted during SNA conferences. Sadly, Franco died at age 72 in December. He not only leaves a football legacy, but a lasting commitment from industry to improving school nutrition.
With gratitude,
Kathy
Did you know...?
nutrition news
USDA Proposes New Rules for School Meals
o Grain-based desserts, which include cereal bars, doughnuts, sweet rolls, toaster pastries, coffee cakes, and fruit turnovers, would be limited to no more than 2 ounce equivalents per week in school breakfast, consistent with the current limit for school lunch.
o Breakfast cereals would be limited to no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce.
o Yogurts would be limited to no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces.
o Flavored milks would be limited to no more than 10 grams of added sugars per 8 fluid ounces or, for flavored milk sold as a competitive food for middle and high schools, 15 grams of added sugars per 12 fluid ounces.
Breakfast will see the biggest changes as we try to find quick grab and go entrees that aren't considered a "grain-based dessert." This will further challenge our child nutrition programs. Complete information available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/school-meal-standards-comparison-chart
"As schools nationwide contend with persistent supply chain, labor and financial challenges, school meal programs are struggling to successfully maintain current standards and need support, not additional, unrealistic requirements," SNA President Lori Adkins said in a statement, adding that their 2023 survey of school meal directors found 88% are still facing challenges finding whole-grain, low-sodium and low-fat options to meet the current standards.
january Meals per Labor Hour
Thrill of the Grill
agriculture news
National Cherry Month
February is National Cherry Month, and you may be thinking
to yourself, really, February? Although February brings cold winter days, it is
rooted in numerous historical events that pertain to our beloved super fruit.
In February 1912, twelve varieties of cherry trees were
shipped from the city of Yokohama, Japan. Upon arrival in Seattle, they were
transferred to Washington. D.C. and planted along the Potomac Tidal Basin on
March 27th. These three thousand cherry trees were a gift of friendship to the
People of the United States from the People of Japan.
Unfortunately, the other reason February seems to be fitting for National Cherry Month has been proven to be a myth, but we think it is still fun to tell anyways. It all starts with George Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day). But what does George Washington have to do with
cherries? For those that don’t know, the myth is that little George used a hatchet to cut down
his father’s favorite tree, which happened to be a young English cherry tree.
George’s father suspected he might be the culprit and that George would fess up
if asked, so it did not come as a surprise when George replied, “I cannot tell
a lie, I chopped down the cherry tree.”
digital resources
welcome new hires!
Welcome!
Valentina Shelipova
FS Substitute at Northview
Yes, you can!
OPEN POSITIONS
Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/
FS Tech, Central, 3.5 hours
FS Tech, TJM, 4 hours
2022-23 Calendar
February 17, 2023 - No School (No Work)
February, 20, 2023 - President's Day, No School (No Work)
March 27-31, 2023 - Spring Break, No School (No Work)
April 7, 2023 - Half Day K-12 (Regular Work Day)
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https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1221036&type=d&pREC_ID=1455849
About Us
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Email: kkane@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/nutrition
Location: 2727 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: (219) 531-3050
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValpoSchoolFood
Twitter: @ValpoSchoolFood