Articles in the December 2009 Issue

CACFPA Note from Sandra

We continue to receive questions about whether or not agencies need to meet the special diet requests of enrolled children and occasionally receive reports from families that the administration or food service personnel do not see this as a requirement. See the article elsewhere in this bulletin for guidance. Be sure to call the office if you have questions. We want to be sure the children are in a safe environment when in our care and that we are doing as much as we can to ensure that safe environment.

A group of folks involved in various aspects of health have been gathering to update the Healthy South Dakota plan. You can see the plan, its goals, and other great pieces of information on the http://healthysd.gov website. There are currently tips for Healthier Holiday Eating on the cover page. There are also tabs for many different groups by age or place with up-to-date information.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year bring many opportunities to gather with families and friends. I hope you enjoy each time together.

May the very best day of your past be the worst day of your future. – Kaplans’ Cheers

 

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NUMBERED MEMOS – CHANGE IN PROCEDURE

Child and Adult Nutrition Services has changed the method of distributing policy memos from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the past, we would receive a USDA memo and reissue it under our own numbered memo system. USDA posts the memos to their website, eliminating the need to send out another copy. We are ceasing the practice of reissuing the same memo under our own numbered memo system. We may occasionally have our own memos and will continue to post them to the CANS website. We will advise you when a new memo is posted either place that applies to the programs your agency participates in and provide a link to the website. It is your responsibility to read the memo, relay the information to appropriate staff, and implement it at your agency. You should call the CANS office if you have questions about these policies. You can print the memo so you have a paper copy if you wish, or you can maintain a link to the USDA memos in your favorites for future reference. You can also sign up for notices when the USDA web page is updated. The site for legislation, regulations, and policy related to the child nutrition programs is http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/regulations.htm

The USDA memo code is as follows:
SP applies to School Programs includes National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Special Milk Program. This would include Seamless Summer.
CACFP applies to the Child & Adult Care Food Program and may apply to centers, homes, and sponsors or only one section of the group.
SFSP applies to Summer Food Service Program.
The program designation is then followed by the number of the memo for that federal fiscal year and the fiscal year. '

Other memos posted since the beginning of this federal fiscal year are:

  • SP 01-2010 CACFP 01-2010 SFSP 01-2010

Applying Geographic Preferences in Procurements for the Child Nutrition Programs – Updates

  • SP 02-2010 SFSP 02-2010 CACFP 02-2010

Procurement Questions

  • SP 03-2010

Extension of Food Safety Inspections Reporting Requirement FY2010

  • SP 04-2010

Extension of Weighted Averages Waiver FY 2010

  • SP 05-2010 SFSP 03-2010

Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (P-SNAP)
Benefits for Children Certified as Eligible to Receive Free and
Reduced Priced School Lunch During School Closures

 

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NEW NUMBERED MEMOS

USDA recently posted new policy memos to the website.

SP 07-2010 CACFP 04-2010 SFSP 05-2010 is an updated Question and Answer (Q&A) memo about the recent ruling concerning Milk Substitution for Children with Medical or Special Dietary Needs (Non-Disability). It added three Q&A regarding the ruling that schools may provide milk substitutes and that juice cannot be offered as a milk substitute for non-disability requests.

SP 06-2010 CACFP 03-2010 SFSP 04-2010 is about combat pay. This applies to the school nutrition programs as well as Child & Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. It supersedes their previous memo that we had issued under our numbered memos as: Family Size and Income Determinations for Military Families as CACFP-57, CACFPDCH-50, NSLP-68, and SFSP-30

The new memo can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/Policy-Memos/2010/SP_06_CACFP_03_SFSP_04-2010_os.pdf.
The gist of the new memo is that a deployed person is considered a part of their household and regular pay is counted for determining eligibility; however, additional pay for being in combat zone is not considered as income. This applies to all child nutrition programs: Child & Adult Care Food Program, National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and Summer Food Service Program.

Page 34 of the eligibility guidance manual also states that only that portion of a deployed service member's income made available by them to the household will be counted as income. For example, if the deployed person gets $500 but keeps $200 for personal expenses, then the family would count $300 as available.

Given this new information, you may want to re-evaluate applications from families of service members that you know are deployed. It would also be permissible to notify families that if they have a deployed service member to contact your agency to re-evaluate the application for free & reduced price meals. If there is a change in benefits, you should implement that as soon as possible; however, it would not be retroactive.

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Recent Q&A's

Q:        A FAMILY CAME TO ME TO SAY THEIR CHILD NEEDS A SPECIAL DIET. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

A:        First, you should give the family a copy of the request for special diet memo and forms found at our numbered memos: Doctor Statements Required for Food Allergies or Medical Disability in Child Nutrition Programs (Revised)
CACFP –45.1, CACFPDCH –29.1, NSLP – 47.1, SFSP – 24.1
http://doe.sd.gov/oess/cans/nslp/docs/NSLP47.1.doc

Look over the note when it comes back from the doctor.

  • If the note says it is a disability (threatens a major life activity), then you must comply almost without exception. You need to be sure the child does not receive the food in the meals you serve, and you need to be sure to the best of your ability that the child is safe from that food.
  • If the note does not specify it is a disability, then you may work with the family to meet the diet request; however, it is not a requirement.

This requirement comes through the American with Disabilities Act and Civil Rights. Beyond the requirements, you want to make sure that children are in a safe environment when at your agency. If you have questions, please contact Child & Adult Nutrition Services.

The agency should also have a USDA reference on providing meals to children with disabilities. If you do not have a copy, you may refer to the USDA website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/guidance/default.htm or contact the CANS office for a copy.

 

Q:        IS JUICE A SUBSTITUTE FOR MILK?

A: This question makes its rounds periodically and once again has come up, and has some new twists.

All the child nutrition programs require that when milk is served, that it be fluid milk. Nothing else takes the place of fluid milk – not cheeses, not ice cream, not pudding, and not juice. That has not changed for many years.

Fluid milk can be purchased in bulk and poured into glasses or can be individual servings from a half-pint carton.

If the school offers juice as a part of the meal, it is a part of the fruit/vegetable requirements. Children must not be made to choose between juice and milk.

Fluid milk can be lactose free, organic, or other fluid milk.

A new regulation for schools followed by policy allows certain other milk substitutes if they meet specific standards. Q&A number 20 in the most recent Q&A series on milk substitutes (http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/Policy-Memos/2010/Policy-Memos/2010/SP_07_CACFP_04_SFSP_05-2010_os.pdf) specifies the requirements.

Milk Substitute Nutrition Standards Nutrient per Cup
Calcium 276 mg
Protein 8 g
Vitamin A 500 IU
Vitamin D 100 IU
Magnesium 24 mg
Phosphorus 222 mg
Potassium 349 mg
Riboflavin .44 mg
Vitamin B‐12 1.1 mcg

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CACFPCHILD NUTRITION INSTITUTE

It’s not too early to start planning to attend and deciding what “Track” you want to attend at Child Nutrition Institute. “Institute” will again be on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls.

  • Child Nutrition Institute dates are June 20-25, 2010.
  • Track 6 will be a “Build Your Own Track” again this year
  • Track 5 will be offered not only to child nutrition professionals like yourself, but also to administrators, teachers, and authorized representatives
  • Baking class will be offered
  • Computer Skills class will be offered.

Information will be arriving in your school mailbox right after Christmas!

For now,  Save the Date—June 20-25, 2010!!!

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USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Forty-nine schools are participating in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program this year. Schools are finding great ways to work nutrition education into the classroom along with the snack. Here are a few ideas:

  • Schools are sending “snack fact sheets” into the classroom along with the snack of the day.
  • During morning announcements, the snack of the day is announced and some fast facts are given.
  • Foodservice director emails out fast facts about the fruit of the day to each teacher.
  • Teachers fill out a daily slip on acceptability of fresh fruit/veg snack that day. Foodservice director is compiling results.
  • Sometimes teachers ask for a special snack to reinforce what they are learning in the classroom…i.e. kindergarten teacher has asked for a fruit or vegetable snack that will match the “letter” of the week.
  • The high school FACS class does an annual nutrition education event and teaches nutrition education through games, raps, etc.
  • Bulletin Board in cafeteria highlights the fruits/vegetables of the week.

Whether you participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program or not, you may be able to incorporate some of these nutrition education ideas in your school!!

How can you be a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable School next year? The application will be available mid to late February. Check this website for updates. http://doe.sd.gov/oess/cans/FFVP/index.asp

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CACFPBuilding for the Future with the CACFP

Non-Creditable Breads and Grains Quiz Show:

In an attempt to help you avoid the most common errors we see during CACFP reviews we are using this as a way to educate agencies on the non-creditable breads and grains that are most commonly found as errors during program reviews.
                                                                                                                                        
Did you know?

  • That potato chips are not creditable as a bread/grain (or a fruit/vegetable) in the CACFP.
  • That popcorn and caramel corn is not creditable in the CACFP.
  • That potato pancakes are not creditable as a bread/grain in the CACFP.
  • That tapioca is not creditable in the CACFP.

Check back next month for more Quiz Show learning.

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Kidsinthekitchen Kids in the Kitchen

Zippy Bean Dip
Source: Physical Activities
and Healthy Snacks for Young Children


1 15-oz can refried beans
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ cup tomato, chopped
1 tablespoon canned, chopped, green chilies
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup plain yogurt
¼ cup sliced green onion (or ¼ teaspoon onion powder)
½ cup shredded cheese

Blend together refried beans with chili powder, tomato, green chilies, and garlic powder. Mix well and combine with yogurt until well blended. Each child receives ¼ cup. Garnish with sliced green onion and shredded cheese.

Provides 1 meat/meat alternate for CACFP for 1-5 year olds
Calories, 62; Fiber 2.1 g; Total Fat 1.5 g; Saturated Fat .8 g.

Snack Idea (1-5 year olds):

¼ cup Zippy Bean Dip with baked Tortilla Chips (see September Nutrition Newsletter) and a glass of water.

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KidsonthemoveKids on the Move

Moving to Music
Source: Physical Activities and
Healthy Snacks for Young Children

Arrange the children in a scattered formation.

Describe sharp movements as a way to move the body to make lines, corners, and angles. Demonstrate by making your arms straight then angled by rapidly and forcefully bending your elbows. Ask the children to move their arms in sharp movements. Ask the children to move other body parts in sharp movements (ankles, waist, hands, etc.).

Describe smooth movements as the way that has circles, turns, and doesn’t stop. Demonstrate by swinging your arms in circles. Ask the children to move their arms in smooth movements. Ask the children to move their whole body in smooth movements as you demonstrate turning, bending, swaying – all smoothly.

Turn on the music and ask the children to move to the music. Remind the children to move using sharp or smooth movements.

 

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Healthy Communities Mini-Grant

Healthy Communities (HC) is part of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Program (also known as Healthy South Dakota). The intent of this mini-grant is to support those communities wanting to implement healthy lifestyle and wellness programs and decrease the chronic disease burden focusing on physical activity, healthy eating, and being tobacco-free.

Click here for more information

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HappyHolidays

Back L-R: Shar Venjohn, Marlyce Micklos, Julie McCord, Sandra Kangas, Melissa Halling
Front L-R:  Lynette Thum, Jean Schuurmans, Mark Moen, Janelle Peterson

 

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