Janauary 30, 2009 -- The 19th annual Child Nutrition Showcase: Best Practices in School Nutrition Research will take place during SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC) in Las Vegas, June 29-July 2, 2009. This is your opportunity to submit a “poster” display that describes successful research or best practices in school foodservice and nutrition. Awards will be given in the categories of research and best practices. Reflect on achievements your school nutrition operation has made that are worth sharing with others. For example, poster displays might address local school wellness policies, food safety efforts, marketing and customer service innovations, nutrition education activities and environmentally friendly practices The call for posters is open to anyone interested in presenting a display during the Child Nutrition Showcase at ANC. To submit your poster idea online, click on the following link:
Submit a Poster Proposal
You can find out more about the Child Nutrition Showcase on the ANC 2009 section of the website (see Related Links). The deadline for submitting poster ideas is March 9, 2009.
Additionally if are a graduate students or faculty member at a college or university and submit a poster presentation, you could be eligible to apply for the Kathleen Stitt Award. This monetary scholarship helps defray travel expenses incurred to attend the conference.
Child Nutrition Showcase
January 29, 2009 – Nutrition Committee member Dr. Becky Domokos-Bays presented today at the second meeting of the 2010 Dietary Advisory Committee. Dr. Bays highlighted school nutrition professionals' commitment to serving meals consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. “Since 2007, in response to a request by the USDA, our members have begun proactively implementing the recommendations of the 2005 DGAs within the current meal pattern requirements and nutrition standards,” stated Bays.
Much of Bay’s statement focused on the need for nutrition standards consistent with the Dietary Guidelines which govern the sale of all foods and beverages sold throughout the day and throughout the school campus. Bays advocated for a practical and achievable guidelines which would facilitate a “consistent and understandable meal pattern for school meals …. applicable to “competitive foods” sold outside of the meal program, whether in the cafeteria or sold down the hall in vending machines.”
Bays completed her comments with some discussion of the financial limitations currently in the school nutrition environment. She also offered SNA’s continued assistance to the committee.
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Meetings
January 28, 2009 – Today, President Dr. Katie Wilson presented SNA’s perspective on the IOM’s Phase 1 report on Nutrition Standards and Meal Requirements for school lunch and breakfast programs. Wilson’s presentation also outlined SNA’s recommendations for development of the final Phase II report during this open meeting of the Committee on National Standards for the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
The IOM’s Phase 1 report laid out their proposed approach to setting nutrition standards and meal requirements. The planned approach placed emphasis on consistency with the Dietary Guidelines and Dietary Reference Intakes and maintaining financial stability and participation levels in the school nutrition programs. Wilson commended the committee for an excellent report which included many of SNA’s original recommendations to the committee.
During her presentation, Wilson offered the following comments on the proposed approach and development of the Phase II final report:
Wilson reinforced SNA’s original recommendations that the recommended meal pattern requirements be simple, practical and offer significant amount of flexibility necessary to meet the needs of all students.
Other presenters at the IOM committee meeting included representatives from organizations such the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity, and the American Dietetic Association. A special panel of researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, University of Minnesota and USDA Economic Research Service addressed school children’s food acceptance as it related to nutrition standards.
IOM Meeting Summary
IOM Committee on National Standards for the School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
SNA National Nutrition Standards Recommendations
January 27, 2009 -- Each year the members of the School Nutrition Association present Congress with the critical issues facing school nutrition professionals and the more than 30 million children that are provided safe, healthy meals through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. SNA members are strongly committed to ensuring the highest nutritional standards for all children. The 2009 Legislative Issue Paper focuses on several important areas SNA would like to see Congress address through the child nutrition reauthorization process expected to be taken up by the 111th Congress:
To view a complete copy of the 2009 Legislative Issue Paper, click here. Legislative Issue Paper talking points will be posted soon.
The Legislative Issue Paper is based on input from SNA members and is drafted by members of the Association’s Public Policy and Legislation Committee. After final approval from the Board of Directors, the paper is used to guide SNA’s legislative actions. School Nutrition Association members will take the messages of this year’s Legislative Issue Paper to Congress, as part of the 37th annual SNA Legislative Action Conference (LAC), to be held March 1-4, 2009 in Washington, DC.
2009 SNA Legislative Issue Paper (pdf)
Legislative Issue Paper Talking Points
2009 Legislative Action Conference
Child Nutrition Forum Statement of Principles
From the Kitchen to the Congress Blog
Reauthorization Open Forum
January 27, 2009 -- According to a statement jointly released today by SNA and the National Dairy Council, nearly 80 percent of students i n the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) chose low-fat or fat-free milk in 2005, compared to less than 30 percent in the early 1990s. The data comes from a report analyzing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data released today. This new data echoes the SNA 2007 School Nutrition Operations Report findings that found 96.8% of school districts offer fat-free or low-fat milk.
Low-fat and fat-free school milk soar in popularity
Unpublished data from USDA’s third School Nutrition Dietary Assessment (SNDA III) show that most schools voluntarily follow the recommendation which was also outlined in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) to encourage more consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy. The current DGA recommends three servings of dairy every day for most Americans.
Significant changes in consumption patterns have developed between the first SNDA report from 1992 and the most current data from 2005. In the 1992 assessment, 28.6 percent of students who drank milk chose either low-fat or fat-free milk, while the latest SNDA data show that 79.2 percent of milk-drinking students now choose low-fat or fat-free milk.
The joint statement, along with the complete report, can be accessed through Related Links.
Joint Statement of SNA and NDC on School Milk Consumption
School Milk: Fat Content has Decliend Dramatically Since the Early 1990's
January 27, 2009 -- This week marks the first entries and inception of From the Kitchen to the Congress, the School Nutrition Association's new blog exclusively dedicated to discussing news and issues related to the 2009 Reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Programs. Turn to From the Kitchen to the Congress for up-to-date news and information, as well as in-depth insight, throughout the entire reauthorization process.
According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, a blog (a contraction of the term "web log") is "a website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video." Authored primarily by SNA's Child Nutrition and Policy Team, the new child nutrition reauthorization blog will also feature entries from guest bloggers – members of the SNA leadership who will explain the Association’s position on legislation and offer opinions. From the Kitchen to the Congress is also a place to ask questions and leave comments about the reauthorization process, pending legislation and SNA’s positions. We encourage you to engage in discussion with other SNA members and school nutrition professionals throughout the entire reauthorization process.
The first two blog entries, posted this week, thoroughly answer the burning questions: what exactly does “reauthorization” mean? And, what's on SNA's Issue Paper?
To access the blog click here.
January 28. 2009 -- On January 27, 2009, The Oprah Winfrey Show focused on America’s Obesity Problem, with Dr. Mehmet Oz discussing healthy eating and obesity prevention for teenagers. SNA commends The Oprah Show and Dr. Oz for bringing attention to the issue of healthy childhood weight, however much of the information provided about school lunches offered through the National School Lunch Program misrepresents the current state of school nutrition. SNA members can contact The Oprah Winfrey Show regarding this segment, please see contact information under Related Links below.
The 40 million meals provided through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program each school day are required to meet standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Late last year the USDA released the report “Diet Quality of American School-Age Children by School Lunch Participation Status: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” reviewing the diet quality of participants in the National School Lunch Program. The report found that lunches consumed by participating students were more nutrient dense than lunches brought from home. School lunch participants tended to consume higher amounts of low-fat and fat-free milk, lean meat, and beans. Lower income students had a greater consumption rate of fruits. Participating students were also less likely to consume salty snacks and beverages other than juice or milk.
SNA’s Back to School Trends Report from fall 2008 found 85.2% of school nutrition directors reported they are increasing the availability of whole grain products in their school districts. Reducing or limiting trans fats showed a sizeable increase in popularity since 2007, with 81.8% of school districts indicating they are doing just that.
Even outside of the cafeteria in school hallways there are healthful options. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2006 School Health Policies and Programs Study, over 70 percent of schools report offering salads, low-fat yogurt, and other healthy a la carte and vended items to students.
About 16% of the meals students eat each calendar year are school lunches served through the National School Lunch Program. The majority of children’s calories are consumed outside of the school environment, whether at home or in restaurants: one of the key reasons that research shows children gain weight during the summer and maintain or lose weight during the school year. In an effort to promote a healthy childhood weight school nutrition professionals are engaged in providing nutrition education to parents and caregivers to ensure that healthful meals and snacks are available to students when they do not have access to the school cafeteria.
In school, at home and in every community, much work remains to promote healthy eating and activity habits among children. School nutrition programs continue to offer nutritious menu options while struggling with the challenge of doing so on a budget of less than $2.60 per lunch. As Dr. Oz mentioned on the show, adults in school and at home need to serve as better role models in regard to physical activity and eating. And there is a role for government as well: SNA calls on Congress to provide adequate funding for school meals; grant the Secretary of Agriculture the statutory authority to regulate the sale of all foods and beverages on the school campus, consistent with the most recent edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; as well as requiring the USDA to implement a consistent, science-based national interpretation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for all school meals reimbursed by USDA.
Email Oprah
Post to the Show Discussion Board
Learn more about healthy school meals
January 26, 2009 – With snow still on the ground in many parts of the country, it is not too early to start thinking about summer feeding programs! The end of the 2008-09 school year is fast approaching. In about six months, summer feeding sites will open in communities in every state. Now is the time to plan to be a sponsor of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
November 2008 SN magazine
Congress authorized the Summer Food Service Program in 1975 to ensure that children in lower-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations, when they do not have access to a healthy school lunch or breakfast.
Over 30 million children receive free or reduced price school lunches on a typical day during the school year. According to the Food Research and Action Council’s 2008 report, “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation”, an average of 2.8 million children participated in the SFSP during 2007. While summer feeding programs saw a modest increase in participation, compared to several years of declines, millions of children are still not receiving adequate nutrition during the summer months. A new toolkit released by the Food Research and Action Center includes helpful resources for summer feeding sponsors.
Recent changes to Summer Food made it easier for school nutrition programs to operate and provide a new opportunity to increase program participation. The Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which was signed into law about a year ago, extends the cost accounting procedures commonly known as the “Simplified” Summer Food Service Program. Twenty-six States and Puerto Rico have been operating under the simplified procedures. This Act extends these simplified procedures to all sponsors in all States. As of January 1, 2008 all SFSP sponsors receive the maximum “meals times rates” operating and administrative reimbursements without regard to their actual costs.
Sponsors may combine their reimbursements to pay for any allowable cost, whether operating or administrative. Under these new procedures:
Earlier this month the summer 2009 reimbursement rates were posted in the Federal Register: Reimbursement rates for the SFSP for 2009 reflect a 4.9 percent increase in the cost of living over last year. The maximum allowable operational reimbursement for lunch or suppers in the continental U.S. is $3.1825, up to $1.8150 for breakfast, and $0.7525 for snacks, depending on the type of service and location. Higher rates apply in Alaska and Hawaii.
Simplified Summer Feeding Toolkit
Federal Register Notice – SFSP Reimbursement Rates
School Nutrition: Summer Feeding
Summer Food Service Program
Glenville-Emmons High School wins a $40,000 lunch line makeover
Glenville, MN (January 26, 2009) – Diane Minear takes pride in making school meals fresh, healthy, and visually attractive. Yet when students at Glenville-Emmons High School step into her cafeteria, they are presented with an unattractive brown tile floor, exposed heating vents, battered tables, and a mishmash of serving equipment. “Appearance plays a big part in how students perceive the quality of our menu,” says Minear, Glenville-Emmons’ food service manager. And the 50s era décor is hardly vintage-cool. “It does little to showcase our homemade breads, hot dishes, and desserts.”
That will all change next fall. Minear and Superintendent Mark Roubinek applied for and won a cafeteria makeover worth up to $40,000 in serving equipment, nutrition education products, staff uniforms, and expert consultation. The Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) and Owatonna-based Learning ZoneXpress launched the Extreme Cafeteria Makeover last October to acknowledge the many challenges faced by school districts across the country and offer hope to one lucky school. Food and fuel costs have risen to record levels in 2008 as federal funding for the National School Lunch Program has stalled.
Jean Ronnei, MSNA President, noted “The school foods landscape has never been more challenging. We have seen double digit price increases for basic foods that are required to prepare and serve nutritious school meals at a time when parent requests for healthy options are at an all-time high.”
A survey of school nutrition professionals nationwide found that the average price of meat increased 11%, fruit and vegetable prices increased 13%, milk prices increased 14%, and bread prices increased 15% (Impact of Rising Food Prices on Nutrition, School Nutrition Association, September 2008, accessed at www.schoolnutrition.org). Schools are doing everything they can to offset price increases. For example, one school district may use diced chicken on salads instead of offering a more expensive chicken fillet.
The makeover benefits Glenville-Emmons greatly, but will also expand the collective knowledge about innovative foodservice solutions for tough economic times. MSNA and its partners hope to demonstrate what’s possible in merchandising, marketing, management, and fresh, cost-conscious menu ideas for any Minnesota school. The prize package features products and services from the several Minnesota and national companies.
Ronnei, who also leads the nationally-recognized child nutrition program at St. Paul Public Schools, described the potential impact for the school meals community. “A makeover like this, with new equipment, training, and fun educational products, has the potential to increase the number of students who eat school lunch every day. An increase in revenue can certainly offset rising food prices and will also educate others about the value of operational investments.”
Makeover partners will help the winning district plan for and manage the installment during the summer of 2009. “These partners understand the daily challenges our schools face and have stepped up to give one lucky school a cafeteria facelift! MSNA is pleased to be a part of this first-of-its-kind cafeteria makeover contest designed as a private-public partnership between our association and industry partners.” Ronnei said.
Additional details about the contest are available here.
Minnesota School Nutrition Association
January 21, 2009 -- The U.S. Senate confirmed former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack (D) as Secretary of Agriculture on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. Vilsack, along with six other Obama administration nominees were confirmed on Inauguration Day by a voice vote.
In both testimony and questions during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Vilsack discussed the important role the federal nutrition programs, including the child nutrition programs, play. Vilsack has already begun to coordinate efforts with the Obama administration related to the child nutrition programs. He noted the importance of including healthier items, including more fresh fruits and vegetables in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Both Vilsack and Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) acknowledged that the reauthorization of the child nutrition programs will be a major priority of the USDA this year.
Other political appointments in the Department of Agriculture, including the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and the Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, are expected in the coming weeks. Keep checking www.schoolnutrition.org for the latest information.
January 20, 2009 -- The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) in partnership with General Mills will be offering a FREE webinar on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, entitled “School Breakfast: Its All About Location, Location, Location.” School nutrition program directors/supervisors, managers, and employees will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of breakfast, ways to get students excited about breakfast, and types of alternative breakfast service options. Moderator Ali VanGorden will discuss and share best practices for expanding school breakfast through alternative locations, while three operator panelists, including 2008-2009 SNA President Katie Wilson, will share the details of their own school breakfast programs.
The webinar will be moderated by Ali VanGorden of General Mills. Speakers include District Director Katie Wilson, Ph.D., SNS, of Onalaska Public Schools in Onalaska, WI and 2008-2009 School Nutrition Association President; Lora Gilbert, SNS, of Orange County School District in Orlando, FL; and Karen Crawford, of Gwinnett Public Schools in Suwanee, GA.
For more information on this webinar, including where and how to register, please click here or visit www.schoolnutrition.org/schoolbreakfast. SNA members may earn 1 continuing education unit (CEU) for participating in the webinar. Instructions on how to obtain your CEU can be found by clicking on the URL above.
This webinar is the third in SNF’s new “Wednesday Webinars” series and will be offered at no charge. Stay tuned to www.schoolnutrition.org/webinars for information on upcoming Wednesday Webinars throughout the 2008-2009 school year.
School Breakfast: Its All About Location, Location, Location
Webinar Wednesdays
January 19, 2009 - SNA members attending the 2009 Child Nutrition Industry Conference in New Orleans, La. this week participated in the Martin Luther King National Day of Service today. Over one hundred SNA members joined together with New Orleans residents in a Helping Hands Volunteer Opportunity restoring local schools that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. School nutrition professionals from around the country rolled up their sleeves and helped with a variety of tasks including painting a mural at one local high school, unpacking and shelving books, planting trees and painting at several schools in the New Orleans Public Schools district and the Archdiocese of New Orleans schools.
School nutrition professionals joined millions of Americans that honored Dr. King and answered President-elect Obama’s call to service by volunteering on the January 19 King Holiday. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, more than 12,100 service projects took place across the country, more than double last year. In 1994, Congress charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with transforming the King Holiday into a national day of service. This year, President-elect Obama asked all Americans to serve on King Day and make an ongoing commitment throughout the year.
CNIC 2009
MLKDay.gov
UPDATE 2/24/09: Click here for talking points and facts on the recall and the safety of peanuts from the National Peanut Board.
From USDA Food and Nutrition Service: STATEMENT FOR PUBLIC NOTIFICATION ON PCA RECALL
On January 28, 2009, the Peanut Corporation of America announced an expansion both of the timeframe of their recall and the scope of products affected. With this new development, a limited number of products were identified as being purchased by USDA during the two-year timeframe and most of the recalled products already have been consumed. The USDA is working with the small number of affected parties to identify recalled product and remove it from distribution. All USDA nutrition assistance program operators are being asked to check for any product that might have been purchased commercially.
UPDATE 2/2/09: Kashi granola bars and cookies
UPDATE 1/31/09: Bear Naked Granola recall notice - trailmix
UPDATE 1/31/09: Schwan's Ice Cream products recall notice
UPDATE 1/28/09: More companies and products added to list of recalled items. See list of recall notices from FDA here.
FDA new searchable database of recalled product
UPDATE 1/21/09: Kraft is not recalling any products in connection with the recent salmonella outbreak involving peanut butter manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Neither Kraft nor their suppliers purchase peanut butter or paste from PCA for any of their products, including those sold in the U.S. or Canada under the Kraft, Nabisco and Planters brands.
UPDATE 1/18/09: The Food and Drug Administration is now advising against consumption and use of any product containing peanut butter, for example peanut butter crackers, cookies, etc. From FDA: "Based on the current state of the investigation, the FDA recommends that consumers avoid eating products that have been recalled and discard them. Because identification of products subject to recall is continuing, the FDA urges consumers to postpone eating commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter-containing products and institutionally-served peanut butter until further information becomes available about which products may be affected. Efforts to specifically identify those products are ongoing." See link here.
UPDATE 1/17/09: No products made by The J. M. Smucker Company are included in the Food and Drug Administration recall of foodservice peanut butter and peanut butter products. The company reports that their peanut butter products and brands are safe for consumption, including Smucker's®, Jif®, Smucker's Uncrustables®, Adams®, Laura Scudder's®, Eagle Brand® and Pillsbury® brands. For more information click here.
UPDATE 1/16/09: From the Kellogg Company: As part of FDA's ongoing investigation of a peanut paste supplier, Peanut Corporation of America, the FDA has advised Kellogg Company that Salmonella was found in one package of Austin(R) Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter. This product had previously been recalled by Kellogg, in one of a series of industry recalls relating to Peanut Corporation of America's recall of peanut-based ingredients. See release here.
UPDATE 1/15/09: According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (January 15, 2008) the "U.S. Department of Agriculture... didn't buy any of the recalled peanut butter for the National School Lunch Program or other food distribution programs."
UPDATE 1/14/09: As of January 14, 2009, the recall has been expanded to include the following:
Lot Numbers Affected:
8193, 8194, 8197, 8233, 8234, 8235, 8241, 8255, 8256, 8275, 8276, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8296, 8316, 8330, 8331, 8336,
8345, 8354
Stock Numbers Descriptions and Pack Size Affected:
551000 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 6 ct / 5 lb
551006 Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter 6 ct / 5 lb
551020 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 35 lb
551022 Natural Course Peanut Paste 35 lb
551025 Old Fashioned Creamy Peanut Butter with 1% Salt 35 lb
551035 Crunchy Natural Peanut Butter 35 lb
551040 Creamy Natural Peanut Butter 35 lb
551050 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 50 lb
551050-D Dark Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter 50 lb
551051 Creamy Stabilized Peanut Butter with Monodiglyceride 50 lb
551053 Crunchy Stabilized Peanut Butter 50 lb
551072 Peanut Butter Variegate 45 lb
January 12, 2009 -- King Nut Companies has recalled peanut butter distributed by the company under the King Nut and Parnell’s Pride labels for possible salmonella contamination. The peanut butter is only sold to food service institutions, including schools and universities. The company does not distribute retail sized butter.
The company is recalling all containers of peanut butter with lot codes beginning with “8.” The peanut butter is manufactured by the Peanut Corporation of America and distributed by the King Nut Companies under the King Nut and Parnell’s Pride labels. King Nut Companies has cancelled all orders with the Peanut Corporation of America.
The recall comes as Minnesota state health officials determined the peanut butter as the source of an outbreak of salmonella in the state. Health authorities are now determining if the peanut butter is the cause of a nationwide outbreak of salmonella. Officials from the Food and Drug Administration warn that there is inconclusive evidence at this time to link the peanut butter to a nationwide outbreak of salmonella. Since October, over 400 people have been sickened in 42 states.
Please keep checking www.schoolnutrition.org for additional information as it becomes available.
Responding to a Food Recall USDA Resource
King Nut Issues Peanut Butter Recall – King Nut Company Release
Tub of peanut butter checked for link to salmonella outbreak – USA Today
January 16, 2009 -- The 19th annual Child Nutrition Showcase: Best Practices in School Nutrition Research will take place during SNA’s Annual National Conference (ANC) in Las Vegas, June 29-July 2, 2009. This is your opportunity to submit a “poster” display that describes successful research or best practices in school foodservice and nutrition. Awards will be given in the categories of research and best practices. Reflect on achievements your school nutrition operation has made that are worth sharing with others. For example, poster displays might address local school wellness policies, food safety efforts, marketing and customer service innovations, nutrition education activities and environmentally friendly practices The call for posters is open to anyone interested in presenting a display during the Child Nutrition Showcase at ANC. To submit your poster idea online, click on the following link:
You can find out more about the Child Nutrition Showcase on the ANC 2009 section of the website (see Related Links Section to take you directly there). The deadline for submitting poster ideas is March 9, 2009.
January 16, 2009 -- Last night the leadership of the House of Representatives released some of the details of their proposed economic recovery package legislation. The package includes important nutrition program investments and other targeted relief in addition to broad initiatives to stimulate the U.S. economy. Proposed funding increases include over $700 million for after school meals and an increase in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP/Food Stamps) allotment.
The recovery legislation is expected to be marked up by House Committees shortly after the Inauguration. The spending provisions, which make up a majority of the package, fall under the jurisdiction of the House Appropriations Committee. The tax provisions fall under the jurisdiction of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Summary of Select Provisions in the Economic Recovery Package:Afterschool Meals: $726 million to make all states eligible to participate in the Afterschool Feeding Program for At-Risk Children and to encourage participation by new institutions by increasing snack reimbursement rates. Currently, only eight states (Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) are authorized to provide suppers in afterschool care programs through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Expanding at-risk afterschool suppers to all states will allow institutions currently serving snacks under this component of the CACFP to expand their services to include an evening or weekend meal to an identified population of children in need.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP/Food Stamps): $20 billion to boost nutrition assistance and to lift restrictions that limit the amount of time individuals can receive food stamps. This provision will provide a 13.6 percent increase in the allotment for FY 2009 and keep the amount at that level in FY 2010. Beneficiary families desperately need this benefit's increase to cope with rising food prices and worsening economic conditions. In addition, an extra $300 million will go to states in the FY 2009-2010 period for states to administer increased caseloads.
WIC Management Information Systems (MIS): $100 million to improve state management information systems for the WIC program.
Details on nutrition assistance priorities for House action still are unfolding, including regarding whether some items that were omitted from the recovery package will be addressed in the separate annual appropriations bill for FY 2009. While initial proposals include an increase in school lunch and breakfast reimbursements, that provision is not in the current package. A Senate economic recovery package also is expected to be released in coming days. House and Senate leaders aim to finish action on the economic recovery bill and get it to the President's desk in February. Call your House and Senate members to urge them to support the nutrition and other low-income investments in the recovery package.
January 16, 2009 – Hurry, the Early Bird registration deadline for SNA’s 2009 Legislative Action Conference (LAC) is drawing near—January 23rd. Register now and save!
It’s time once again to gather in the nation’s capital to maximize SNA’s grassroots power. Are you ready to put your stamp on the future of the federal school nutrition programs? SNA’s 37th annual LAC will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C., March 1-4, 2009.
LAC is considered one of the most productive and exciting events in school nutrition. Highlights of this year’s conference will include:
With so many wonderful opportunities awaiting you at LAC 2009, you’re sure to return home refreshed and ready to advocate at the local, state and federal level for improvements to your school nutrition programs. The special Early Bird registration rate closes January 23, so don’t delay—Register today and come spend some time with SNA!
LAC 2009
January 15, 2009 -- Take advantage of SNA's new Career Center to post your school nutrition job openings, look for career opportunities or post your resume for prospective employers to view.
Discover the benefits of SNA’s Career Center:
Find the right job or candidate today at www.schoolnutrition.org/careers
January 14, 2009 -- School breakfast participation continues to rise, according to a report released today by the Food Research and Action Council (FRAC). According to FRAC’s annual School Breakfast Report Card, school breakfast participation increased 4 percent during the 2007-2008 school year, with 10.5 million children served daily. FRAC also released another report that looks at school breakfast promotion and participation in 19 of the country's largest cities.
The School Breakfast Program began as a pilot program in 1966 with the intent of making sure children started the school day with the boost breakfast can give. School breakfast is available to children from all socio-economic backgrounds. Studies continue to demonstrate the links between breakfast and learning, making the case stronger for more schools to expand breakfast participation and make sure all children participate. In 2007-2008, 49.5 low-income children ate school breakfast for every 100 children who ate school lunch.
To measure the reach of the School Breakfast Program, FRAC compares the number of schools and low-income children that participate breakfast as compared to the broadly utilized National School Lunch Program. In the 2007-2008 school year, 85.7 percent of schools offering lunch offered breakfast as well. This is a slight increase from 84.8 percent last year. One of the barriers to offering the breakfast program at the local level continues to be the cost to prepare a school breakfast – which is greater than ‘per meal’ federal reimbursement provided to school districts participating in the School Breakfast Program.
As the economy worsens, more families are relying on the federal child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast Program. With growing unemployment and volatile food and energy costs, many families wonder where their next meal will come from. In a December report by the School Nutrition Association found that school breakfast participation increased in the first few months of the 2008-2009 school year. In nearly 70 percent of the school districts surveyed, breakfast participation increased.
SNA has tools available to help school nutrition programs expand breakfast. This year, during National School Breakfast Week, children across the country will be encouraged to “Power Up! With School Breakfast.” With the help of several special school breakfast superheroes, school nutrition professionals across the country will promote the importance of eating a nutritious and balanced breakfast each morning. Students will also be able to create their own school breakfast superhero in the “Design a Superhero Contest.” For additional information on National School Breakfast Week activities, please visit www.schoolbreakfast.org.
School breakfast provides at least one-fourth of the nutrients needed by a growing child. The U.S. Department of Agriculture sets the nutrient standards for the federal School Breakfast Program, requiring breakfasts provide less than 30 percent of their calories from fat, and 10 percent or less from saturated fat, meeting the goals of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Research shows that children who eat breakfast have improved memory, problem-solving skills, verbal fluency and creative abilities. Qualitative research, including research from Harvard University and the University of Minnesota, also points to improved classroom behavior, with students being more alert, happier and ready to learn. Both studies saw an increase in math test scores in children who ate a good breakfast.
FRAC School Breakfast Score Card - 2007-2008 (pdf)
Breakfast for America's Big Cities - 2006-2007 (pdf)
January 13, 2009 -- The School Nutrition Foundation has posted an RFP for marketing training to the SNA website at www.schoolnutrition.org/marketing101. SNF seeks consultant(s) to develop an integrated training program for school nutrition directors, supervisors, and managers to be delivered through School Nutrition University.
The finished educational products will support marketing and communication training needs in SNA’s Certification program. Complete instructions on submitted the RFP are available on the web page and in the RFP document. The submission deadline is 12:00 EST, Thursday, January 22, 2009.
www.schoolnutrition.org/marketing101
www.schoolnutritoin.org/snf
UPDATE 1/18/09: The Food and Drug Administration is now advising against consumption and use of any product containing peanut butter, for example peanut butter crackers, cookies, etc. From FDA:
Based on the current state of the investigation, the FDA recommends that consumers avoid eating products that have been recalled and discard them. Because identification of products subject to recall is continuing, the FDA urges consumers to postpone eating commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter-containing products and institutionally-served peanut butter until further information becomes available about which products may be affected. Efforts to specifically identify those products are ongoing. See link here.
January 9, 2009 -- The headlines are more and more common: “School District Deals with Meal Charge” and “Parents Told There’s No Free Lunch.” As the costs of food, transportation, and labor continue to rise, both parents and school nutrition programs are feeling financial pressure. While families that qualify for free or reduced price meals are entitled to those meals, parents that are not eligible for free or reduced price meals sometimes struggle with being able to pay for school meals. SNA’s Public Policy and Legislative Committee recently compiled several resources and sample policies to help school nutrition programs and school districts address this issue.
Across the country, meal charge policies are a growing, and often controversial, problem for school districts:
To hold parents accountable, many school districts have instituted meal charge policies that allow students to charge the cost of a reimbursable school meal, up to a certain amount. After the student has reached that limit, they are then given an alternative meal, such as a cheese sandwich and milk, until the parent pays the balanced owed. Some school districts do not allow a grace period, instead giving children an alternative meal as soon as their account reaches zero.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service states that pricing policies for school nutrition programs are left to local discretion. This includes setting charge policies for students who forget their lunch money. School nutrition programs are not obligated by law to provide full-price paying students with a meal however, USDA recommends that districts be flexible. This is recommended particularly when dealing with individuals who are unable to take full responsibility for themselves, such as young children.
Many school districts nationwide are currently addressing this problem and have employed several different strategies with great success. Some of these strategies include:
SNA has created an outline that provides an overview of the charge policy issue, considerations for crafting a charge policy, as well a sample letter to the editor. Additionally, the Association has collected sample policies from several districts across the country to provide models to members. To further ensure that all children have access to healthy school meals SNA continues to advocate for increased reimbursements for school meals, as well as funding to eliminate the reduced price category, a significant barrier to meal participation for many students.
To review the new charge policy resource, see Related Links
January 8, 2008 -- Dr. Brian Wansink, Executive Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Nutrition, Policy and Promotion, will speak at the 2009 Legislative Action Conference. He will present during the 3rd general session on Monday, March 2, 2009.
In his current position at USDA, Dr. Wansink is responsible for promoting healthy eating and nutrition to Americans. During his tenure, Dr. Wansink has been responsible for overseeing the expansion of initiatives such as myPyramid and the creation of new tools, such as the myPyramid Menu Planner, the Cost of Raising a Child and Child Cost Calculator, and monthly podcasts. He has also focused on combating childhood overweight and obesity by encouraging corporate America to creatively find ways to promote healthy eating and physical activity.
In late January, Dr. Wansink will return to Cornell University, where he is the John S. Dyson Endowed Chair in the Applied Economics and Management Department and the Director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab. Specializing in food marketing and nutrition research, Dr. Wansink has written numerous books on these subjects. The research findings of he and his colleagues has lead to the introduction of smaller food packaging to prevent overeating and the use of colorful names and descriptions on chain restaurant menus. Dr. Wansink is a nationally renowned expert that has appeared on numerous television programs and various newspapers.
Dr. Wansink joins several other noted speakers at LAC 2009, including Dr. Virginia Stallings, chair of the Institute of Medicine Committee to Review the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program Meal Patterns and Standards. Dr. Stallings will discuss the progress of the IOM committee during the final general session on Wednesday morning, March 4, 2009.
Be sure to register today for LAC 2009! This year’s conference promises to be very exciting. With the 2009 Child Nutrition Reauthorization on the horizon, be sure to be in Washington, DC, March 1-4, 2009 to help make your mark on this important legislation. For the most up-to-date information on the 2009 Legislative Action Conference, please visit the LAC 2009 page.
Legislative Action Conference 2009
January 7, 2009 -- From “Dollar Days” at the local supermarket to special cash back rebates on new cars, everywhere you turn you’ll find another hot “value.” But there truly is one value out there available in every community – today’s school lunch. From a nutritional punch balanced with fruits, vegetables, grains and lowfat dairy to the unbelievably low price tag – it is impossible to beat the value of a school lunch.
To help parents and children with their New Years Resolutions to save money, SNA has prepared several tools that emphasize the nutritional and economic value of school lunch. School nutrition professionals are encouraged to use the new “letter to the editor” to spread the word in their own communities about what a great deal can be had in today’s school meal. Robin Tennille in Franklin County, Florida, used the template to write to her local paper. The letter was published on December 18, 2008, in the The Times Apalachicola & Carrabelle.
A second recourse available for use by school nutrition professionals is a customizable fact sheet for parents. The fact sheet to promotes the economic and nutritional value of purchasing a school lunch and emphasizes how much money a family can save by buying a lunch at school versus packing a lunch. The one page sheet can be used as menu back or sent home with students for posting on the fridge. School nutrition director JoAnne Robinett of Beaverceek Schools Ohio posted the sheet to her district’s nutrition department website under the title “Is School Lunch a Good Value?” The customizable version can be edited to show local school district lunch prices and contact information.
See links below for these new resources and additional background on the value of school lunch.
Letter to editor
Customizable Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet in Adobe PDF
Impact of Rising Food Prices
Rising Food Costs Discussion Forum
Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises (PDF) December 2008 report
Heats On: School Meals Under Financial Pressure (PDF) September 2008 report
Talking Points: the Need for Adequate School Nutrition Funding December 2008
Fox News clip
January 6, 2009 – SNA messaging on the importance of healthy school meals generated over 136 million media impressions in 2008, a record amount of media coverage. The fourth quarter of the year, running from October 1st to the end of the year, included coverage of National School Lunch Week and high profile segments by CNN, Associated Press, CBS News, and hundreds of individual newspapers, websites, radio stations and local television news programs. In all, an audience of over 70 million was reached by SNA during this last quarter of the year.
During October, SNA emphasized the nutritional value of school lunch through the Vote for School Lunch themed National School Lunch Week. Coverage included:
In November SNA members reached through Educate Your Community week, sharing the facts about healthy school lunches and breakfasts. Media coverage continued to focus on healthy school meals and the need for additional federal, state and local funding for school nutrition programs. Among the coverage were the following:
In the final month of 2008 SNA released Saved by the Lunch Bell: As Economy Sinks, School Nutrition Program Participation Rises which received national and international press coverage. Stories on CNN, CBS radio, US News and World Report, the Associated Press and more emphasized the critical role that school nutrition programs play during an economic downturn and the need for additional federal, state and local funding for these important programs.
Coverage included: