School Nutrition Newsletter
January 6, 2021
Important Updates
Important CNPweb Update Resources and Trainings
- Don't forget! The CNPweb has been updated!
Click here to view the new resources created to walk you through the new site.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to completing claims.
View a walk through of the site here.
Having issues logging in? Check to make sure that someone else from your school has not already changed the password. Remember! There is only one login and password per school.
Questions? Submit any errors or issues to the CNPweb Help Form.
New P-EBT Information!
IDOE is providing the primary access point to the FSSA P-EBT portal through the LINK Portal.
All public local education agency and accredited non-public school entities may access the secure FSSA P-EBT portal via LINK.
For other entity types, please contact FSSA.
The P-EBT tile will be available to Security Coordinators and those who have the Data Administrator staff type.
Assistance and information regarding P-EBT benefits including school and student eligibility may be found on the FSSA: DFR Pandemic EBT website.
- Also check out this new memo issued on December 29, 2020.
- Questions for FSSA? Email PEBTQ@fssa.in.gov. This e-mail is ONLY for school use and should not be given to parents.
- Questions about IDOE's portal for submitting data? E-mail your LINK Security Coordinator.
Civil Rights Nondiscrimination Statement
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights’ (OASCR) web page has been updated, with resulting changes to the links within the nondiscrimination statement. Please update your nondiscrimination statements accordingly. This would include updating nondiscrimination statements on web sites, policy documents, handbooks, flyers, letters, etc.
- All sponsors must use the USDA nondiscrimination statement on all public correspondence that implies or mentions USDA or Child Nutrition Programs.
- Reminder: Sponsors are not relieved of their obligation to include the required nondiscrimination statement on all printed and electronic program materials made available to applicants, participants, and potentially eligible persons for public information, public education, or public distribution.
- For the updated nondiscrimination statement, please visit IDOE's Civil Rights webpage.
- Questions? Contact Maggie Schabel at mschabel@doe.in.gov.
Breakfast Success Stories Needed
- Students need breakfast, especially during this time when food insecurity is so prevalent.
- IDOE is looking for breakfast success stories and pictures, and we’d love to feature your school!
- Please reach out to Beth Foland and share your stories along with any photos (be sure to have photo releases for any identifiable students/staff).
Resources
Free Online Meal Ordering System Tool
- If you have not set up an online ordering system for school meals and are short on time or resources, North Carolina and Chef Cyndie have created an Online Meal Ordering System that might be of interest to you.
- The FREE and easy tool uses Google Forms and allows you to set up your own online ordering system.
- You do need a Google or gmail account in order to use this tool.
- Use the Online Meal Ordering System Instructions and Video Tutorial to learn the steps for customizing the tool for you!
Dietary Guidelines for Americans
- The USDA and HHS just released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 which was designed as a tool for professionals to offer leading nutrition advice for all Americans to help them lead healthier lives.
- Two additional key concepts in the guidelines include an emphasis on a healthy dietary pattern as a whole, rather than on food groups in isolation or individual nutrients; and a focus on healthy eating at every stage of life.
- For the first time since the 1985 edition, the new DG includes recommendations for healthy dietary patterns for infants and toddlers.
- To read a brief article outlining key concepts for the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines, click here.
- To help guide the public in putting the Dietary Guidelines into action, there are new MyPlate resources.
- To see how to get started, click here.
New Signage Available!
- Help your staff practice safe food handling, delivery, and service with simple, colorful signs.
- Graphics representing safe practices for drive through and outdoor location delivery are available through North Carolina.
- Additional graphics illustrating safety in the kitchen and food preparation areas are included.
New Food Buying Guide Feature
- The Food Buying Guide (FBG) Interactive Web-based Tool allows you to easily search and navigate food yields, compare food yields, and create and save favorite foods lists.
- USDA has enhanced the capabilities for registered users by allowing Program operators the ability to create folders for the Recipe Analysis Workbooks (RAW) in the FBG Interactive Web-based Tool.
- This new feature allows users to organize their RAWs using the Web-based Tool and also view them when logged into the FBG Mobile App.
- Additionally, users can now conveniently access their favorite foods directly from the homepage with the new Favorite foods button on the FBG Web-based Tool.
Need help in understanding and using the FBG and all its features? Click here for training resources.
Trainings and Professional Development
Don't forget! Upcoming IDOE Trainings
- Don't forget about IDOE's trainings throughout January and February.
- Learn more about menu variety, recipe ideas, emergency food service plans, and more!
- Click here for more information and to register.
- Questions? Contact SCNTrainings@doe.in.gov.
Register for the SFSP Training!
- IDOE will have a live webinar for SFSP sponsors on Thursday, January 21, at 10:00 a.m. EST.
- This training will provide menu planning tips for serving quality SFSP meals using fresh foods and commodities. Featured speakers will be Elizabeth Edwards, RD, Nutrition Program Director for Notre Dame ACE Academies in Indianapolis and Stephane Stuempke, RD, Food Service Director for Danville Community School Corporation.
- Click here to register.
- If you have questions that you would like to have answered during the webinar, please submit those to your field specialist or to the summermeals@doe.in.gov email account.
ISNA Member Meetup: Virtual Idea Sharing Session
- Join other ISNA members to share ideas about meal distribution during the pandemic.
- Learn about best practices, SOPs, menus, recipes, and more!
- Hear from 2 Indiana School Nutrition Directors leading districts of very different sizes! Sara Gasiorowski, Child Nutrition Director for MSD of Wayne Township in Indianapolis and Vickie Coffey, Nutrition Services and Healthy Schools Director for Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation will share their experiences and then we will open up for idea sharing, question asking, and comments to all participating in the Member Meet Up.
- This will take place on Tuesday, January 12 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST.
- Registration is free to ISNA members.
- Click here to register.
- Questions? Contact Sheri Shipp.
ISNA/IDOE School Nutrition Certificate Program: Director's Series
- The Indiana School Nutrition Association and the Indiana Department of Education are thrilled to announce the 2021 RELAUNCH of the ISNA/IDOE School Nutrition Certificate Program: Director's Series!
- This program was developed with your needs in mind, AND to add value to the School Nutrition profession in the state of Indiana.
- 17 targeted courses have been developed, including School Nutrition Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Procurement, and so much more!
- For a full listing of courses and course objectives, visit the certificate program website page HERE and click the "Course Schedule" button.
- Enrollment in the program is only $25.
- Upon completion of all required courses, program enrollees will receive a certificate of completion as well as access to an image to be used in their email signature line, or in any way they choose, to announce their graduation from the program.
- Questions? Contact Sheri Shipp.
Reminder
Verification Summary Report Postponed
- Don't forget! The Verification Summary Report (VSR) has been postponed.
- IDOE will provide more information once it has become available from USDA.
Contact Us
Indiana Department of Education - School and Community Nutrition
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this newsletter, please contact Allie Caito-Sipe at acaito@doe.in.gov, call (317) 232-0849, or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20849, or contact Ashley Heller at aheller@doe.in.gov, call (317) 232-0544, or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20544.
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Website: https://www.doe.in.gov/nutrition
Phone: (317) 232-0850
Twitter: @EducateIN