Press Play

MARCH 2023

"Don't worry, about a thing
'Cause every little thing, gonna be all right
Singin', don't worry, about a thing
'Cause every little thing, gonna be all right"

Three Little Birds

— Bob Marley and the Wailers

NSLP Annual Financial Report

The 2023 Annual NSLP Financial Report (FY2022 data) is now open. The report is due March 31. The recording of our March 1st Spring Reports training can be found here.

SFSP and SSO

If you are planning to operate SFSP, please note that applications are open now. March 15 is the deadline for advanced payments. Otherwise, April 15 is the deadline. Please complete the attestation form saying how you plan to promote the program or reach new sites.

SSO applications can also be completed now through the NSLP contract. The deadline is May 31.

Read the latest Summer 2023 Operations FAQ.

SY23-24 Income Eligibility Guidelines Released

Download the IEGs for next school year on SquareMeals under Administration and Forms or here.

FSMC CPI Flexibilities for SY22-23

TDA has released a memo stating that CEs may increase fees for fixed-rate contracts by an average CPI (7.56%) retroactively and through the end of the school year. This flexibility addresses increased food and other costs associated with supply chain disruptions and the cost of operating a fixed-rate contract.

If you missed the FSMC Webinar, click here to watch a recording.

School Data for Area Eligibility Reports Released

TDA published its annual list of schools participating in NSLP that qualify as area eligible based on the number of free/reduced-price students enrolled or CEP ISP. The 2022-2023 School Data for Area Eligibility report, based on October 2022 claims data (for non-CEP schools) and ISP (for CEP schools), is posted to SquareMeals under Administration and Forms in both Summer Feeding and CACFP programs.

Guidance on Unanticipated School Closures

TDA has released a revised online Unanticipated School Closure Notification Form on the NSLP Administration/Forms table and on the Policy/ARM page. Any school districts that served summer meals during school closures caused by the recent tornadoes or ice storm event should submit this form as soon as possible and ensure that site applications for the applicable summer program have been updated in TX-UNPS. (Note that this is not a Request form – it allows the CEs to notify us of the situation and their intent to serve. “Approval” will come via approval of the site application.)

The intent is that this form will be a permanent mechanism (updated annually as necessary) that CEs can quickly use if emergency strikes. Note that the form captures information related to non-congregate service and service at closed school sites, which are prohibited by regulation but approved through April 30, 2023, per existing waivers.

Finally, updated guidance on serving meals during an unanticipated school closure has been added to the School Year 2022-2023 FAQs.

We're Hiring!

Are you a CACFP expert looking to assist other districts with their programs? Then you're exactly who we're looking for! Apply now to join the ESC Region 11 Child Nutrition Team.

USDA Foods Updates

Farm to School Surveys!

TDA has released updated information that CEs participating in Farm to School for SY23-24 should complete the FTS surveys in TX-UNPS. It will not go through FFAVORS for next school year.

WBSCM Jotform Due

TDA will implement WBSCM for USDA Foods for SY24-25. Please complete the jotform (released February 28) to assign administrator roles. If the district contracts with an FSMC, please note that FSMCs cannot be a user or administrator for this program. The form is due April 28.