Friday Focus
October 6, 2023
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
message from the director
October is National Farm to School month and we are proud to incorporate more and more local produce into our menus. Sourcing healthy fresh produce locally provides economic and educational benefits while supporting our community and students. We have expanded the Department of Defense (DoD) fresh fruit and vegetable program to grades 6 - 12. Middle school Cafe Managers invited students to Fall into the Colors of School Lunch and introduced them to sweet peppers, mushrooms, radishes and zucchini. We are piloting Thank a Farmer Thursdays at Central giving students the opportunity to sample produce from farms less than 50 miles away. To learn more about the farms we partner with visit:
https://www.rainfieldfarm.com/
https://perkinsgoodearthfarm.com/
https://www.garwoodapplefarm.com/
With gratitude,
Kathy
from Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
Production Records Requirements
Production records are required and prove that the meal pattern has been met. Records are reviewed during the Administrative Review and must be kept for each meal, each day of the week. All personnel playing a part in production should complete the section of the production record for the items they prepare, in real time, as items are being made and immediately following the end of meal service. Best practice would be to check the work of each kitchen’s records regularly to ensure continued compliance. Check out IDOE’s production record review form that can be used for this purpose.
From Ashley: Comparing Production Records to Skyward Reports
Production Records! It seems there may be some confusion on the "why" we compare production records and skyward reports. Production records are to record how many you forecast of an item, how much you make of that item, how much of that item you have leftover, how much you wasted, and the total number of student/adult meals served. Skyward reports are to tell us how many reimbursable meals, entrees, adult meals, and a la carte were rung into the POS system. One report is not to correct the other report. This is important for you to know and to practice. Skyward reports are for you to review WITH your production record. If your production record amount and your skyward report are WAY off, it's a good way to catch if maybe an entry by homeroom class didn't save (that could happen!) in which case we can work together to find the error. 98.810% of the time, they are NOT going to match. THIS IS COMPLETELY NORMAL AND JUST FINE. If your skyward report shows you sold 185 meals, but your production record shows 194, do not change your production record to match the skyward report! Sometimes, they will match! And that always made my OCD very happy. But on days with say....Popcorn Chicken, they are not going to match up. NEVER change your records to match your Skyward record. That is a HUGE red flag to Mr. State Auditor if your production records are identical to your reports every single day. One other side note....if you are serving an adult meal, that needs to be recorded in the adult meal section of the production record. If your total sales were 300 and 4 of those were adults you would have recorded 4 adults and 296 students. If you ever have any confusion, please reach out!!
***Remember, reviewers will look at Skyward reports to see how many meals you claimed for reimbursement. Then they look at production records to make sure you prepared and served enough food to support the claim. As long as the production record shows the same or more of an item is prepared, you are fine. Something is wrong if your Skyward report shows you claimed 280 meals but your production record is showing only 275 were served. Generally speaking, your production record should almost always be higher than your Skyward report because your staff or custodians eat from the food you prepared. If you prepare food, it must be counted.**
Donations for Caring Place
Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefits
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH WEEK OCTOBER 9-13
Universal Free Meals
digital resources
OPEN POSITIONS
Non-employees can apply by completing an online application as an External Applicant here: https://www.applitrack.com/valpo/onlineapp/
FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours *new*
FS Tech, BF Middle, 4.5 hours
FS Tech, Central, 4 hours
FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours *new*
2023-24 Calendar
October 16-17, 2023 Fall Break (No Work)
October 26-27, 2023 Half Days K-8 (Regular Work Days)
November 7, 2023 eLearning Day (Regular Work Day)
November 22-24, 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday (No Work)
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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