School Nutrition Newsletter
November 12, 2020
New Information
Verification Process FAQ
- Last week's newsletter announced that the verification process has been extended to February 28, 2021.
- Keep in mind, sponsors are not required to extend the verification process especially if notification letters with due dates have been distributed and follow-up contact has been made for non-responders.
- We are still waiting on guidance from USDA regarding the Verification Summary Report (VSR), so the VSR is postponed until further notice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- We did not have any approved applications on file on October 1, are we still required to conduct verification?
- No. Sponsors that do not process applications (i.e. schools approved for the Community Eligibility Provision, RCCIs with no day students) or those who had no applications submitted and approved by October 1 are not required to conduct verification.
- I had a number of non-responding households but I already sent them the final notification letters stating that their benefits will change to paid in 10 calendar days, do I need to notify them that the verification process has been extended?
- No. If you have already finalized your process by sending notification letters home, do not extend the verification process. Verification is complete for these households.
- I am ready to fill out my VSR, since the due date is postponed am I not allowed to complete it?
- If you want to complete the VSR and you can access the report in the CNPweb, then you can complete the VSR. Just keep in mind you might get some errors based on incomplete information due to operating Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
- I tried to fill out my VSR but the total number of enrolled students on the first line is not correct. How can I fix this?
- Most likely your schools are currently operating under SSO. SSO sites are not required to report paid and reduced eligibility information on claims. Currently the enrollment data on the VSR is directly pulled from your October claim, so the only way to fix this is to revise your October claim with eligibility information. Since the VSR is postponed, hold off on revising your October claim until more guidance is released.
- Our schools are operating the Summer Food Service Program, how can I fill out my Verification Summary Report?
- If you have no reason to file an October claim under the School Nutrition Program (purple puzzle piece) in the CNPweb, then you will not be able to access your VSR. We will provide instructions for this process once we have more guidance from USDA.
- Check out the Verification Series: Reporting webinar on Thursday, November 19 at 1 p.m. ET. This will cover finalizing the verification process and completing the Verification Summary Report. Any new verification updates or guidance from USDA will also be discussed.
- Missed one of the previous Verification Series webinars? Click below to view the slides and script:
- Verification for Cause
- Verification Process: Preparing
- Verification Process: Processing
- Questions? Contact Allie Caito-Sipe.
New! USDA Q&A
- On November 2, USDA released another Q&A.
- This Q&A provided the extension deadline for verification until February 28, 2021.
- Click here to review the latest Q&A.
- Questions? Contact your Field Specialist.
Trainings
Updated USDA Waiver Options for School Food Authorities Webinar Part Three
- IDOE will be hosting a another webinar on the Updated USDA Waiver Options for School Food Authorities.
- This webinar will cover the rules, regulations, and changes from USDA from their waivers and extensions.
- The webinar will take place on Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. (EST).
- Click here to register.
- Questions? Contact IDOE's Training Team at SCNTrainings@doe.in.gov.
Your Team Must Quarantine! Now What?!
- Have you or someone you know had to quarantine an entire cafeteria team due to a positive COVID-19 test? Do you have strategies in place for staffing, possible menu changes, packaging ideas, etc. if this were to occur in your district?
- The Indiana School Nutrition Association (ISNA) is hosting an online training for schools to discuss a staff quarantine, including hearing how two schools navigated through this situation and an idea sharing session.
- The training will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, November 17 from 2-3:00 p.m. (EST).
- This training is free to all members! Just make sure you register before the training takes place!
- Click here to register.
- Questions? Contact Sheri Shipp.
Versatile Sauce Solutions to Reduce Sodium Webinar
- Developing flavorful, healthy meals that students will love is a difficult task.
- Simple yet delicious sauces that can be used in a variety of dishes are a game changer for menu planning.
- From sweet barbeque to savory yogurt and cheese sauces, this webinar will showcase versatile recipes that will pack a punch of flavor for student meals.
- Fri, Nov 13, 2020 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM EST
- Register here.
How To Cut Lettuce
Food Distribution Program
Canned Refried Beans 100362 - Canceled
- USDA has canceled orders for canned refried beans 100362 for November due to no vendor bids.
- All other orders remain intact until further notice.
USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (DoD Fresh) Deliveries
- USDA has been receiving complaints regarding DoD Fresh deliveries to schools.
- As a reminder, the vendor (Creation Gardens), IDOE, or the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) help desk must be notified within 72 hours ahead of any delivery for cancellations.
- The vendor begins pulling the orders for their warehouses three days prior to delivery and arbitrary cancellations, no shows, and the inability to locate school staff has become a great hardship to delivery drivers and has contributed to loss of product.
Latest Brown Box to Bulk Newsletter
- Find important updates; information on inventory management, school breaks, delays, and closures, Annual Pre-Order Survey USDA DoD Fresh program; recipe ideas; upcoming events; and more in the most recent brown box to bulk newsletter!
- Click here to access the newsletter.
- Questions? Contact Cheryl Moore at cmoore@doe.in.gov.
Grant Opportunities
2020 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant - Now Accepting Applications
Don't forget to submit an application for your school for IDOE's Equipment Grant for 2020.
- More information, including the application, can be found here.
- Questions? Contact SCNFinance@doe.in.gov. Please enter: “Your sponsor number/Equipment Grant” in subject line.
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