News from the food front
Inspections, verification deadlines change in 2005-06
As the school year gets into full swing, administrators need to be aware of several important changes regarding school food service. These changes are a result of federal legislation and are effective as of the 2005-06 school year.
Food service inspections beefed up
Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast programs will be required to undergo two food-service inspections per year. That’s up from two inspections every five years.
Beginning July 1, 2005 , all sites where meals are prepared and/or served fall under this new requirement. Most inspections are completed by the state’s Department of Public Safety staff – a practice that will continue. Inspections also can be conducted by agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs Public Health Service and local health departments. The inspections are unannounced and coordinated by the state. There is no cost to schools for the inspections.
Under the new law, schools must post the results of the food-service inspections in a public place. The report is to remain posted until a new inspection is completed. Schools must provide a copy of the report to any member of the public who requests it.
Finally, under the new law, the State of South Dakota must submit a report of inspections to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
For more information about food-service inspections, please contact Marlyce Micklos in the department’s Child and Adult Nutrition Services office at (605) 773-3610. marlyce.micklos@state.sd.us.
New deadlines for verification process
Beginning with the 2005-06 school year, schools will be required to count the number of approved free and reduced lunch applications that they have on file as of Oct. 1, 2005 . The verification process must be completed at the local level by Nov. 15. The completed summary form for verification, which will be provided in NSLP Memo #51.2, is due to Child and Adult Nutrition Services by March 1, 2006 .
Questions can be directed to Marlyce Micklos at (605) 773-3610. marlyce.micklos@state.sd.us.
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