Our offices will be closed December 19-30. Have a safe and joyous holiday break!

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FSMC New Contract Deadline

Don't forget to submit your FSMC RFP for TDA approval by December 31. No late submissions will be accepted. ESC Region 11 recommends getting those turned in ASAP so that TDA has time to provide feedback.

2023 Texas Summer Mandate Notification and Waiver

Texas Legislation requires school districts to participate in a summer meal program if 50% or more of the enrolled children are eligible to receive free/reduced-price NSLP meals based on the March 2020 claim. Mandated schools may request a waiver from TDA from participating in a summer feeding program by completing the waiver section of the Texas Summer Mandate screen in TX-UNPS. The waiver opens on November 1 and must be completed by January 31. TDA has notified mandated districts via email to submit their intent in TX-UNPS. For more information, click here.

Vended Meal Companies Get USDA Foods Approval

The following vendors have been approved for USDA Foods processing: Diwa Kitchen, Healthy Lunch Box, and Twelve Oaks Catering. For contact information, click here.

TDA Transitions to Online Complaint Form

CEs must now notify TDA of complaints received pertaining to School Nutrition Programs via the online complaint form located here. TDA will no longer provide the sample complaint form for local complaints.

NSLW 2022

TDA highlighted several districts for NSLW 2022, including ESC Region 11's Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. We love that apple ferris wheel! Check it out here.

USDA Approves 5-Year Review Cycle

TDA has received approval from USDA to extend the CURRENT review cycle to five years. Stay tuned for more information from TDA, as some AR/PR schedules will change for the spring.

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COOL TOOLS

• Crediting Milk Tip Sheet
• Order printed copies of Team Nutrition resources, like the free Taste-Testing Posters, here.
• Whole Grain Resource for NSLP and SBP

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1. Make sure you have a cycle menu for SY2023-24 ready to go — or at least a pretty good estimation.
2. Based on that menu, decide where to put your USDA Foods dollars: DoD, Farm to School, Brown Box, and/or Processing.

Does all of this sound like gibberish to you?!?! If you answered yes, please review the resources below and sign up for upcoming classes with us:

• The ABCs of USDA Foods — Watch the recorded presentation and scroll through the resources to learn about the different allocation types and how to forecast your needs for the upcoming school year.
• Things to Consider When Planning a Menu — Brush up on your menu planning skills by watching this quick Summer Conference class.
• Stay tuned for registration details for a class on how to allocate USDA Foods funds on January 25. The link will post here.
• USDA Foods Decisions Flow Chart — Not sure how to divide your money? Use these handy flow charts to make your decision.

Last but not least ... GIVE YOURSELF A PAT ON THE BACK FOR MAKING IT THROUGH THE YEAR AND GROWING AS A NEW CN DIRECTOR!

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I recently received product information for a "100% fruit juice gel cup," claiming that it contributes to the fruit component as a "juice." I thought that only liquid or frozen forms of juice could be credited, and the food item did not have any recognizable pieces of fruit. Can you confirm or clarify if I can count this on my menu as a fruit?

Sincerely,

MEL GEL

You are correct. USDA states that 100% fruit juice in gelatinized products may NOT credit as a fruit unless at least 1/8 cup (the minimum amount) of visible fruit is also present in the final product.

According to TDA: In the School Nutrition Programs (SNPs), 100% fruit juice in gelatinized products may not credit unless 1/8 cup of visible fruit (the minimum amount required to contribute to the fruits component) is also present in the final product. This includes juice thickened with gelatin or any gelatin substitutes such as carrageenan. As such, any fruit juice gelatin or similar product does not credit, including fruit juice gel cup products thickened with carrageenan. The Administrator’s Reference Manual (ARM) will be updated soon to align with this guidance.

Thanks for your attention to detail and double-checking!

Sincerely,

ROSIE

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DECEMBER 30

Last Day to Submit November claims

FSMC RFP due

JANUARY 4

Financial Report Available

JANUARY 5

Download Direct Certification in TX-ELMS

JANUARY 31

FDP Contract Packet due in TX-UNPS

Summer Mandate due in TX-UNPS

FEBRUARY 1

Onsite Monitoring complete for all sites

FEBRUARY 28

Board approved MRPC Local agreement due to join the Region 10 Multi-region Co-op for SY23-24

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• School Year 22-23 Menu Calendar Templates on SquareMeals
• Administrative Review Resources on our website

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BM 12.7.22

JK 12.8.22