Nutrition Action Alert
May 5, 2015
In This Issue

USDA Extends Comment Period on the Proposed CACFP Meal Pattern 

Did you miss the chance to comment on the proposed Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern rule? Don't worry, you can still  comment! USDA has reopened and extended the comment period through May 27, 2015. To make it easy for you to comment, CFPA has developed two different sample letters that can be personalized and submitted to USDA.

 

The "simple" sample letter is brief and intended for the general public to use as a template for their comments. The "long" sample letter is more detailed and intended for organizations. Both sample letters contain instructions on how to comment.

 

Download the simple sample comment letter. doc
Download the long sample comment letter. doc
Read CFPA's comments. PDF
Learn more about the proposed changes to the CACFP. link 

 

Questions? Contact Elyse Homel Vitale at 510.433.1122 ext. 206

School Meal Enrollment Updates & Resources

Direct Certification with Medi-Cal Fact Sheet  

On an average school day, one million low-income students (30%) in California public schools miss out on school lunch and 2.2 million (65%) low-income students are missing out on school breakfast. The paper application process is a barrier to eligible students receiving the benefits of school meals. USDA has approved California for a demonstration project that could dramatically increase school meal participation and support the health and well-being of students.

 

Read CFPA's Direct Certification with Medi-Cal Fact Sheet. PDF  

 

 

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Eligible List for 2015-16 School Year Now Available 

On May 1st California Department of Education released a list of eligible and near-eligible schools and LEAs that are eligible for community eligibility, a powerful new tool that allows high-poverty schools to offer free meals to all students. CFPA encourages school leaders to take advantage of this tool.

 

CEP Eligible / Near-Eligible List. link 

Learn more about school meal enrollment. link

 

Questions? Contact Elyse Homel Vitale at 510.433.1122 ext. 206

CFPA Comments on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee Report  

CFPA submitted comments in strong support of many of the conclusions and policy recommendations made in the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC Advisory Report).

The Advisory Report provides recommendations for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which in turn provides the basis for federal food and nutrition policy and education initiatives. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) jointly publish the Dietary Guidelines for Americans every 5 years. The next edition will be distributed in 2015.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments to the federal government on the Advisory Report. Public comments will be accepted through 8:59 p.m. P.T. on May 8, 2015.

Read CFPA's comments. PDF
Review the DGAC Advisory Report and submit comments. link

Questions? Contact Anna Fischer at 213.482.8200 ext. 204 

Water Bills heading to Assembly and Senate Appropriations Committees 

Earlier this month three water bills made it past their initial policy committees in the state legislature. At the heart of these bills are policy initiatives to expand water access in schools, improve water quality for disadvantaged communities, and identify funding opportunities to support improved water access. 

 

As California faces one of the worst droughts in its history it is vital that the state continue to support sensible policy solutions that ensure all Californians have access to safe potable water. CFPA will continue to track these and other bills as they move through the legislature.

 

Read CFPA's letters of support for current water legislation:

 

AB 496: Pupil Nutrition Funding for Water PDF  

SB 334: Pupil Nutrition & Drinking Water PDF

SB 552 : Public Water Systems & Disadvantaged Communities PDF

Learn more about CFPA's State Legislative Agenda. link
 

Questions? Contact Hector Gutierrez at 213.482.8200 ext 202
Main Office | 436 14th Street, Suite 1220 | Oakland, CA 94612 | 510.433.1122
Los Angeles | 205 S. Broadway, Suite 402 | Los Angeles, CA 90012 | 213.482.8200

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