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Resources for Child Nutrition Programs
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Please Note
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is sending posters (3 per school) and parent information cards (1 per enrolled student) to every school food authority (SFA) in Texas to assist them in fulfilling a National School Lunch Program requirement to notify students and their families about the availability of summer meals. The posters must be displayed on campus and the parent information cards must be distributed to each student immediately upon the shipment’s arrival.
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Food Service Management Company Quick Reference
Emergency Response Pocket Guide
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This pocket guide is designed to help child nutrition program operators respond to emergencies but can be utilized by any nutrition assistance program operator in a variety of emergencies. Always follow local, State, and Federal food safety regulations and contact the local health authority as soon as an emergency impacts your food service operation.
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Policy Documents
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Bringing Procurement Into Focus - Planning for accuracy in operation and documentation is essential for quality procurement practices. |
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CACFP At-Risk For Schools and CACFP Providers - The CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Program provides reimbursements to approved CEs for meals served during the school year after the regular school day ends or during a weekend, holiday, or school break other than summer. To be reimbursed, the snack and/or supper must be served in combination with an educational or enrichment activity. A school, school district, or child care provider can complete an application to offer the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Program for its campuses. |
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Charge Policy - Charge policies outline how school nutrition program contracting entities (CEs) handle providing meals to students when payment cannot be collected at the point of service. Charge policies should be reasonable, well defined and maintain the integrity and dignity of students and households to minimize harm to the student. |
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Community Eligibility Provision - The Community Eligibility Provision is one of the universal meals options schools can choose.
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Duplicative Costs FAQ - TDA has released a set of FAQs related to duplicative costs. A duplicative cost is an unallowable expense that results from a Contracting Entity (CE) paying for the same service under multiple contracts using federal funding. Duplicate costs occur when a CE enters a contract for a service currently provided by TDA or partners of TDA, including Education Service Centers (ESCs) and the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). |
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Education Service Centers - Regional Education Service Centers are valuable resources for schools across Texas. |
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Fun and Healthy Fundraisers - Get more out of fundraising with the 3Es of Healthy Living--Education, Exercise and Eating Right! The Texas Department of Agriculture offers these easy, low cost fundraising ideas to help schools fundraise in a healthy way. Your students can earn, learn and have fun without selling foods that contribute to unhealthy lifestyles. |
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Fundraising Guidance for Schools - Texas has specific policies related to competitive foods and school fundraisers. |
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NSLP Procurement Brochure - CEs participating in NSLP can utilize this document as a summary to have the most-up-to date procurement information.
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Professional Standards - Professional Standards for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs include minimum education requirements for school nutrition directors as well as annual training standards for all school nutrition professionals. These standards raise the profile of the profession, reduce risks in the food operation, and ensure personnel have the knowledge they need to serve healthy products and create nutritious and enjoyable school.
*Effective April 30, 2019 New flexibilities for hiring child nutrition program directors. Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) approval is required before using the exception. Click the link above for more information.
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Purchasing Cooperative Guidelines - This brochure outlines regulatory provisions and principles applicable to School Food Authorities seeking the services of a purchasing cooperative. |
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Raising the Bar in School Nutrition Environments - Developing wellness policies can help raise the bar in school nutrition environments. |
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Smart Snacks - Smart snacks in schools is a collaborative effort between the USDA and the US Dept. of Education. This cooperative strategy extends to the school level where school food service professionals, school administrators, teachers, sports teams, clubs and parent organization work to create healthier communities. Smart Snacks supports healthy living and learning with standards for foods and beverages sold in schools during regular campus hours. |
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Summer Requirement Handout - This one pager explains TDA’s assistance in helping schools meet federal regulations in informing all student households of the Summer Nutrition Program offerings. ALL schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are required to notify student households that SFSP and SSO meals are available. |
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Universal Breakfast Texas Senate Bill 376 - Some schools are required to provide breakfast at no charge to all students or submit a waiver to opt out of the requirement. |
Helper Sheets
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NSLP Helper Sheets - A collection of National School Lunch and Breakfast Program implementation information and tips. This resource is also available in Spanish. |
Transitional Meal Pattern Resources
Meal Appeal Documents
Menu Calendar Templates
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TDA's creative menu calendar templates help to engage students and families in looking forward to school meals. Click the title above to be taken to the Menu Calendar Template page.
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Celebration Dates
Click here to view the SY 2024-2025 Celebration Dates!
Links
Child Nutrition Sharing Site - CNSS aids in the collection and sharing of state and local resources by providing a centralized place to store, organize, manage, and share knowledge and tools with your peers. This collaboration between the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) and United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA/FNS) gives child nutrition professionals access to resources that support current Federal regulations, policies, and guidance.
ChooseMyPlate.gov helps young people learn and develop healthy attitudes that will last them a lifetime!
Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN)
The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN), part of the School of Applied Sciences at The University of Mississippi, is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs. The Institute was established by Congress in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 1989.
Partnership for Food Safety Education
Find materials for child care professionals, including trainers and food handlers, and parents on food safety, diapering, and hand hygiene.
Associations and Organizations
Government
UPCOMING SCHOOL CALLS
The Next School Call Will Be October 30.
Click Here To Join at 2 p.m. on Day of Webinar
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PAST WEBINARS
TDA School Webinar - October 30, 2024 - Policy Update slides; Nutrition Team Slides; School Operation slides; TANS slides and USDA Foods slides
TDA School Webinar - September 25, 2024 - Policy Update slides; Nutrition Team slides; School Operations slides; USDA Foods slides; WBSCM Security slides; Training Team slides; and TANS Update slides.
TDA School Webinar - August 28, 2024 - Policy Update slides; Nutrition Team slides; School Operations slides; USDA Foods slides; WBSCM Security slides. HART and Farm Fresh Challenge slides.
TDA School Webinar - July 31, 2024 - Policy Update slides; Nutrition Team slides; Local Food for Schools slides; School Operations slides; USDA Foods slides; WBSCM Security slides. HART and Farm Fresh Challenge slides.
TDA School Webinar - April 24, 2024 - view Policy Update slides; view Nutrition Team slides, view Outreach slides; view School Operations slides; view USDA Foods slides; view Farm Fresh slides.
TDA School Webinar - March 27, 2024 - view Policy Update slides; view Nutrition Team slides, view WBSCM Login slides; view School Operations slides; view Proposed Rule for Nutrition Standards; view USDA Foods Updates.
TDA School Webinar - Feb. 28, 2024 - view Policy Update slides; view Nutrition Team slides, view CEP Reporting Update.
TDA School Webinar - Jan. 31, 2024 - view USDA Foods Updates slides; view School Operations slides; view Nutrition Team slides.
TDA School Webinar - Nov. 29, 2023 - view USDA Foods Updates slides; view School Operations slides; view Nutrition Team slides; view Training Team slides.
TDA School Webinar - Oct. 25, 2023 - view Policy Update slides; view USDA Foods Updates slides; view School Operations slides; access Nutrition's links to Local Food for Schools Resources.
TDA School Webinar - Sept. 27, 2023 - view Policy Update slides; view USDA Updates slides; view School Operations slides; view Nutrition slides.
TDA School Webinar – August 30, 2023 – view HMI Grantees slides; view USDA Updates slides; view Reduced-Price Breakfast slides; view Program Integrity Final Rule slides; view Local Food for Schools slides; view Nutrition Reminders slides; view Farm Fresh Challenge slides; view School Ops Updates slides.
TDA School Webinar – July 26, 2023 – view CE Procurement Self-Certification slides; view Policy Update slides; view USDA Foods Update slides; view NSLW Materials slides; School Ops Update slides; view Turnip the Beet slides; view Reduced Breakfast slides.
TDA School Webinar – June 28, 2023 – view USDA Food Update slides; view Texas Local Food for Schools Funding slides; School Operations Update slides; Policy Update slides; National School Lunch Week: Level Up slides.
TDA School Webinar - April 26, 2023 - Download the slides from the presentation here. |
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TDA School Webinar - March 29, 2023 - View Policy Update slides.
TDA School Webinar - February 22,2023 - view School Operations slides.
TDA School Webinar - December 14, 2022 - view USDA Foods Update slides.
TDA School Webinar - October 26, 2022 - view School Operations Update slides; PEBT Update slides.
TDA School Webinar - September 28, 2022 - view School Operations Update slides; view Supply Chain Assistance Update slides; view USDA Foods Update slides.
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| TDA School Webinar - August 31, 2022 -view School Operations Update slides; view USDA Foods Training Resources; View USDA Foods Updates slides; view WBSCM Transition slides. |
| TDA School Webinar - July 27, 2022 - view Policy Update slides; view NSLP Update slides; view USDA Foods Update slides; view WBSCM slides. |
| TDA School Webinar - July 13, 2022 - view Policy/Waiver Update slides; view WBSCM Transition slides. |
| TDA School Webinar - May 24, 2022 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - April 27, 2022 |
| TDA School Webinar - March 30, 2022 |
| TDA School Webinar - February 23, 2022 |
| TDA School Webinar – January 26, 2022 |
| TDA School Webinar - December 15, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - November 17, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - October 27, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - September 29, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - September 22, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - September 15, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - September 8, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - September 1, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - August 18, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - August 11, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - August 3, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - July 28, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - July 27, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - July 21, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - July 7, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - June 30, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - June 16, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - June 9, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - June 2, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - May 19, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - May 12, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - May 5, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - April 28, 2021 - download the slides from the presentation here |
| TDA School Webinar - April 21, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - April 13, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - March 31, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - March 24, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - March 10, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - March 3, 2021 |
| TDA School Webinar - January 10, 2021 |
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Assistance available in English and Spanish. Please call 877-TEX-MEAL (877-839-6325) for help. Additional translations services available as well.
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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
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1. Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
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| This institution is an equal opportunity provider. |
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