Friday Focus
January 26, 2024
SCHOOL NUTRITION NEWSLETTER
Message From the Director
My little town of Trail Creek saw 36 inches of snow last weekend followed by an ice storm and rain. These events trigger the potential for power outages and flooding and remind me how important it is to be prepared. Create an emergency plan with your family. Don't laugh - I asked my son for a crank radio for my birthday to build an emergency kit. Friday, February 16 is now a make up eLearning day and a regular work day for you. Professional development is planned for each kitchen to build an emergency response plan as a team. I find that the best solutions are the ones developed through collaboration. SNA recently published a good article (link is below), Collaborate to Innovate, and it's worth a read. Find out what the seven norms of successful teams are. Which of these norms do you recognize in your team? The more planning we do, the better prepared and safer we are.
With gratitude,
Kathy
Offer vs. Serve
The term "Offer vs. Serve" (OVS) is a federal regulation that requires us to prepare and offer all components of a school meal as published on the menu. We allow students to choose some or all of these menu items. They must select a minimum number of components (one of which must be 1/2 cup serving of fruit or vegetables) to qualify as a reimbursable meal. Cashiers are trained to recognize reimbursable meals based on what the student has on their tray. Free or reduced prices apply only to reimbursable meals. "Reimbursable" means that we receive federal funding that reimburses us for the cost to prepare a qualified meal. Prior to OVS, schools had to serve all items to students. As you can imagine, the waste was massive. This is why Managers and Leads forecast different numbers for each menu item individually based on what students actually choose.
Promotions
Middle School Cafe Managers Debbie Johnson (BF) and Nancy Moore (TJ) are breaking up the winter blues with a fantastical, stupendous and spectacular Winter Carnival Lunch. Step right up, middle school students!
Cooks Corners (below top) and Northview Elementary (below bottom) are doing a fantastic job using their Mickey and Friends promotion kits to promote the wonder of milk. Nice work!
Myth or Fact?
We've often heard people say to avoid milk if you have a cold because it causes you to produce phlegm. Not true, say doctors. This is a MYTH.
Commodity Processing
Have you heard the term "commodity?" In our child nutrition business, using commodity foods is part of how we are funded. Each year, school districts receive a commodity entitlement of .36 cents for every reimbursable lunch served during the previous school year. This year our entitlement was $231,000. During this time of year, the money is used to buy raw commodities like poultry, beef, cheese, etc. and send them to a processor to produce the products we select. For example, we spent $56,625 of the entitlement to send nearly 10 tons of raw, bulk beef to Tyson/Advanced Pierre and JTM to produce items like hamburgers and taco filling. This enables us to purchase finished products from our distributor (GFS) at a steep discount since the beef portion of the product was paid for. We also divert pork to one of our favorite processors, Brookwood Farms. Look for more menu creations with this quality product.
Healthiest Fruit
Ever wonder why our menus contain blueberries, apples and strawberries? They are among the most nutrient-dense fruits that you may want to prioritize as you strive to reach the daily recommended 1 to 2.5 cups of fruit in your diet, say registered dietitians. Registered dietitian nutritionist Kristi Ruth praises the benefits of blueberries in particular, saying "blueberries rank high on the list of the healthiest fruits because they are packed with various nutrients -- most notably anthocyanins and polyphenols which are potent phytochemicals." Phytochemicals are part of the plant’s immune system and help protect the plant from viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites and can offer humans some of that same protection. The antioxidants in blueberries are also good for cardiovascular health. Scientific research shows that regularly eating blueberries is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease as well as maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
From Ashley
Did you know in 2022 1,769,556 pounds of food were recalled?! In my most recent webinar course "Planning for the Next Crisis", we went over any and all possible crises we could encounter in our positions. From food recalls, tornadoes, electrical outages, etc. One tidbit I learned regarding food recalls, is that if you are ever in possession of a recalled product DO NOT throw it away! About 98% of the time, these companies will want that product returned to them, to ensure that it does not make its way to anyone to be consumed. The USDA has an entire manual to reference in the event you experience a food recall involving commodity foods. When you have a moment, take a look around their publication. You can never have too much information!
https://www.fns.usda.gov/fs/responding-food-recall-procedures-usda-foods
Industry News: Agriculture
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere now, even on farms. A team of researchers at Virginia Tech got a $650K grant from USDA to collect audio data from cows, then use AI machine learning to analyze and interpret those sounds. The goal would be to help tip off producers that a cow is distressed or ill so they can keep herds healthier. According to researchers, vocalization is a major way cows express their emotions, and it is time to listen to what they're trying to tell us.
Culinary Hack
Grapes aren't currently on our menus, but you can still use this hack at home to save time. Rub the grapes over a colander and rinse. Try the TikTok famous Sour Patch Grapes by coating with lime and sugar and freezing. Recipe and video below.
Need to Print Your W-2?
Getting ready to prepare your taxes and need your W-2? Payroll has posted your form in Skyward and it's convenient to access and print from anywhere. Follow these easy instructions from Laura.
How to Use Skyward Employee Access
Do you need help or a refresher on how to log in to Skyward Employee Access? The file linked below will take you step by step (with pictures) through this easy process. You need to be able to log in to Skyward Employee Access to request time off, print your check or tax forms. When you view your check, you should review the deductions and be sure they are correct based on what you chose during your enrollment appointment with American Fidelity.
Financial Check Up
Valparaiso Community Schools continually strives to offer and educate staff about our unique and advantageous benefits. One such benefit is our elective retirement savings plan(s) that employees can utilize to help provide financial security at retirement. To ensure you receive information about this benefit, we are pleased to provide you with a newsletter (below) that has been prepared by the compliance administrator for our plan(s), U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services (OMNI/TSACG). In addition to providing information about our plan(s), OMNI/TSACG also offers a Financial Wellness website that covers areas such as managing personal finances, college funding options, and how to navigate Social Security when the time comes. You will find calculators, videos, and informative content on various topics to help guide you in your planning process.
Free Employee Assistance Program
Your Perspectives EAP is here to provide confidential, no-cost support for you and your family 24/7.
Call or text 800.456.6327 to schedule an appointment with a counselor or contact us for in-the-moment support.
Use the “Live Chat” feature on your Perspectives Online Portal to instant message with a counselor 7 a.m.-9 p.m. CST Mon.-Fri. (Remember to use your unique Access Code, and your Password is perspectives
Here’s how to access your EAP:
Access Code: valpo
Resources
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, VHS, 6 hours
FS Tech, VHS, 5 hours
FS Tech, Heavilin, 4 hours
FS Tech, BF Middle, 4.5 hours
FS Tech, Central, 4 hours
FS Tech, VHS, 4 hours
2023-24 Calendar
February 16, 2024 eLearning Weather Make Up Day (Regular Work Day)
February 19, 2024 Presidents' Day (No Work Day)
March 4 - 8, 2024 National School Breakfast Week
March 25 - 29, 2024 Spring Break (No Work Days)
2024-25 Calendar
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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