School Nutrition Newsletter
January 27, 2021
Important Updates
New Template and Resources for Developing Emergency Plans
- Within the weekly IDOE's newsletter, Guidance for Developing an Emergency Food Service Plan was sent out.
- Could you use some help creating an Emergency Plan for your building(s) or district or would you like to improve your plan?
- IDOE has developed an emergency plan template that can be modified based on a sponsor's needs.
- This template is not required.
- In addition to the template, there are more resources including an in-depth guidance document from the Institute of Child Nutrition.
- To view Indiana’s Emergency Plan template and other resources, click here.
- Join IDOE and Erin Brattain, Noblesville Schools on Tuesday, February 2 at 2:00 pm EST focusing on the steps to create an emergency plan for food service. Click here to register.
- If you have specific questions about Developing an Emergency Food Service Plan, submit questions to SCNTrainings@doe.in.gov prior to the webinar.
Now Accepting Applications for the School Food Service Employee of the Year
- The nomination form for the School Food Service Employee of the Year Award is now available!
- Schools are encouraged to help IDOE recognize school food service employees who contribute significantly to the health and learning capabilities of students.
- This award was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of school food service employees who excel in the areas of customer service, attitude, professionalism, and teamwork.
- Click here to access the nomination form.
- Nominations are due Friday, March 5.
- Questions? Contact Suzette Hartmann at shartman@doe.in.gov.
FSSA’s Division of Family Resources Thanks Schools for Submission of P-EBT Data
The Division of Family Resources (DFR) is pleased to share an overwhelming response of 99% of schools submitting over 470,000 students for P-EBT benefits.
DFR offers sincere thanks to schools for the thorough response to the submission window for student P-EBT benefits.
A complete list of schools submitting eligible students will be posted on the DFR P-EBT website.
P-EBT cards will be mailed starting in February, the exact date regarding card issuance will be forthcoming. The Full Memo with this information is available here.
Please refer to the submission guidance information and parent flyer on the FSSA: DFR Pandemic EBT website.
Utilize this P-EBT flyer to send to households via e-mail, on the school's website, social media, etc.
- Questions for FSSA? Email PEBTQ@fssa.in.gov. Please note that this e-mail is ONLY for school use and should not be given to parents.
School Nutrition Association Food Service Awards
SNA Award Nominations Are Open!
- While 2020 was certainly challenging, it also showcased the amazing work of many SNA members.
- This is a great time to nominate an employee, manager, and/or director to be recognized for their great contributions to the profession.
- All nominations for SNA awards must be submitted online by Monday, March 1.
- To learn more click here.
SNA Scholarship Deadline
- Scholarships are available to SNA members who are enrolled (or will be) in a vocational, undergraduate, graduate, or post graduate degree program.
- The application deadline is Sunday, January 31.
- For more information about the different scholarships and application details, click here.
No Kids Hungry Grant Winners
- When our communities needed them more than ever, school nutrition departments across the state stepped up in incredible ways to support all students – whether learning in the school building or remotely.
- Because of school nutrition departments, thousands of kids throughout Indiana have remained nourished during this crisis.
- These frontline hunger heroes – school nutrition and transportation professionals, community leaders, administrators, teachers, and volunteers – have done everything they can to ensure that kids continue to have access to meals.
- These hunger heroes have shown tremendous dedication to the kids they serve, all while juggling mounting stress and uncertainty in their own lives.
- No Kid Hungry Indiana (NKH) is proud to have supported school districts across the state. For the list of Indiana schools NKH has supported, click here.
- Questions? Contact Tarrah Westercamp at twestercamp@strength.org.
Upcoming Trainings
Indiana's No Kids Hungry Score Big with Breakfast Webinar
- Tired of the same breakfast menu? Wanting to offer fun items on the menu? Join us for “Score Big with Breakfast” session as we prepare for National School Breakfast Week.
- With our panelists, Purdue Extension, IDOE, and ADAI, we will be sharing resources, menu ideas, celebration ideas, and ways to partner.
- It’s never been a better time to go for the win with breakfast.
- You will be entered in to win a swag bag for simply participating in the webinar!
- Click here to register.
- Click here to share your breakfast story.
- Questions? Contact Tarrah Westercamp at twestercamp@strength.org.
New IDOE Trainings in February!
- IDOE will be hosting trainings throughout February.
- Learn more about emergency food service plans, score big with breakfast and sharing session, commodity sharing session, and more!
- Registration is now available for all webinars!
- Click here for more information and to register.
- Additional questions? Contact SCNTrainings@doe.in.gov.
Food Distribution Program
New Food Distribution Program Cheat Sheet
- IDOE has created a USDA Foods Distribution Program Toolkit cheat sheet.
- This printable document houses important links all in one place to help schools easily locate information for the Food Distribution Program.
- Click here to access this resource.
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.
Miss a Weekly School Nutrition Newsletter? Click here to access previous newsletters!
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Website: https://www.doe.in.gov/nutrition
Phone: (317) 232-0850
Twitter: @EducateIN