December 1, 2021 - Review entity users to ensure proper security groups align with their role and responsibilities.
December 1, 2021 - TDA will begin a full transition to the User Access Manager for all entities and will retire the FND-101 form in Spring of 2022.
October 27, 2021 - USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative is proud to announce the release of the English and Spanish-language Toddler Nutrition web quizzes. Quizzes on Infant Nutrition (English and Spanish) and School Lunch are also available, with additional quizzes coming this fall and winter.
October 27, 2021 - TDA strives to deliver timely and consistent information to our CEs. To ensure this, we are streamlining our communication methods. All information will be posted on SquareMeals.org and supplemented by alternative methods depending on the type of information. Click here to see a breakdown of the communication plan.
Updated September 30, 2021 - Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will not be taking “And Justice For All..." (AJFA) poster orders through TX-UNPS and will not be distributing posters to contracting entities (CE). Locally printed paper copies AJFA posters may substituted as necessary.
September 30, 2021 - On May 14, 2013, TDA issued a Pre-portioned Fruit Cup Crediting supplement memo regarding crediting of 4-ounce fruit cups. That supplement is being rescinded with updated guidance and an accompanying TDA-issued memo.
September 30, 2021 - A few updates to entity User Access Managers (UAM) regarding security changes, processes, and forms.
September 30, 2021 - All Contracting Entities (CEs) are reminded that in Program Year 2021-2022, they must submit TDA’s Declare or Decline COVID-19 Meal Service Waiver Options form to provide information on usage of non-congregate, meal service time, parent pick-up, offsite monitoring, and offer versus serve in high school waivers.
Updated September 14, 2021 - TDA has updated its list of resources for SSO operators in 2021-2022 to include new verification letter templates to go along with the new media release templates, household letters for SSO operators processing applications, eligibility notification letters, and Direct Certification eligibility letters. Click here for more information.
September 6, 2021 - Beginning in September, the CACFP Insight, NSLP Newsletter, and Summer In the Loop will transition to a monthly distribution schedule.
July 28, 2021 - The School Nutrition Program (SNP) site applications must be submitted and approved as a prerequisite for SSO application processing. SSO sites submitted for approval will be returned for correction if there are no SNP site applications in submitted and/or approved status.
April 14, 2021 - Requests for increases in compensation must be reasonable, allocable, and necessary.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has received some waivers from USDA to support the continued operation of meal service in response to coronavirus. Other waivers are not yet approved. Any information regarding USDA waivers related to meal service will be available at SquareMeals.org/coronavirus along with further instructions.
November 16, 2020 - ACTION REQUIRED: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service recently updated its Civil Rights webpage resulting in changes to the internal hyperlinks within the Nondiscrimination Statement (NDS) as well as the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form. If you have not done so already, please update the electronic versions of the NDS with the English and/or Spanish versions. These changes were required to be completed no later than January 31, 2021.
November 1, 2020 - When entering meal service times, the system will respond with an Error Message if two meals occur within the same date range, on the same day of the week and overlap in meal service times.
September 1, 2020 - Please be aware the Budget Detail cost categories will be reviewed with an increased focus. CEs should be prepared to provide further cost details if requested.