New School Nutrition Foundation Leaders Announced
The SNF Board voted to appoint JoAnne Robinett, MSA, SNS, owner of America’s Meal, to serve as Chair of the Board and Michael Burke, SNS, K-12 Ambassador, Vulcan/ITW/FEG, to serve as Vice Chair. Read More

Go WILD for School Lunch!
Now is a great time to get started planning your WILD menu items for National School Lunch Week, October 11-15! Download the artwork to use on your planning communications and start posting on social media with the hashtags #NSLW21 and #WILDSchoolLunch. We have an Amazonian-sized selection of fun jungle animals, digital banners and food items to unleash your creativity!

House Education and Labor Subcommittee Holds Hearing on CACFP and Federal Nutrition Programs
On July 28, the U.S. House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services held the hearing, "Food for Thought: Examining Federal Nutrition Programs for Young Children and Infants." During this hearing, Committee Chair Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) stated her support to "expand the number of meals covered by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), as well as simplify program administration so that more care providers can participate." Watch the full Subcommittee hearing.
Another Annual National Conference may be in the history books, but SNA’s professional development offerings continue all year long! Take a look at what’s ahead in the months to come. All webinars start at 3 p.m. EDT. 

Community Eligibility: Last Chance to Lock in Free Meals for Four Years: August 11, 2021
Community Eligibility adoption season is upon us! Join SNA as we discuss helpful tools and tips for implementing community eligibility and making it work financially for your school nutrition operations. Register Now

Bringing Nutritious, Affordable, and Delicious School Meals to Life while Managing Common Allergens: September 8, 2021
In this session, attendees will be inspired by creative ideas from a school chef to meet the needs of today's savvy students and learn best practices for managing common allergens in school meals. Register Now

Get WILD With Global Flavors: September 29, 2021
Learn how to keep menus relevant to new generations of students who have been exposed to, and come to love, many dishes with global flavors. This exciting panel discussion will demonstrate how you can easily incorporate global flavors in your menu while keeping your food costs down by using USDA Foods and basic pantry staples. Register Now

DEI Series: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: October 13, 2021
Join us during Hispanic Heritage Month to explore the diversity of the Hispanic/Latino/LatinX Community and learn about their contributions to U.S. society, individual communities and students who benefit from school meals. Meet SNA leaders of Hispanic heritage who have helped shaped the school nutrition profession and meet some rising stars. Register Now

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The number of #NSLW21 merch items available to purchase right now! Trek on over to the SNA NSLW Shop to preview all the new WILD merchandise! You’ll find budget-friendly items and other wearables to outfit your School Lunch Safari team.

Download the brochure and place your order early for the best selection! National School Lunch Week is October 11-15, 2021
Federal Register: Value of Donated Foods for NSLP and CACFP
On July 29, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the Federal Register notice, "Food Distribution Program: Value of Donated Foods From July 1, 2021, Through June 30, 2022." This notice announces the national average value of donated foods for the 2021-2022 School Year for each lunch served by schools in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). In addition to each meal served by those institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This new value will be in effect until June 30, 2022.
 
Farm to School Network Issues New Resource on Lessons From COVID-19
Last week, the Policy Equity Group and the National Farm to School Network announced the new resource, "Lessons from the COVID-19 Experience: Innovations and Strategies for Farm to Early Care and Education Implementation in States and Communities." This report captures how farm to early care and education (ECE) efforts at the state and community levels were initially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full report here.
New Resources Available for Renters and Landlords From CFPB
Renters and landlords who don’t know where to turn can use a new website from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This website makes it easy to find rental assistance providers in various areas. Visit the CFPB’s Rental Assistance Finder for more information.

Return to School Roadmap
U.S. Department of Education has released “Return to School Roadmap” to support students, schools, educators, and communities in preparing for the 2021-22 school year. The Roadmap provides key resources and support for students, parents, educators, and school communities to build excitement around returning to classrooms this school year and outlines how federal funding can support the safe and sustained return to in-person learning.
Weekly Update on K-12 School Openings
Just over 10 percent of US K-12 students start school this week, with the majority of students in Hawaii, Mississippi, Arizona and Georgia starting, plus about half of Tennessee students. The updated CDC guidance is generating considerable activity around mask policies. Check the school opening tracker for observations from across the U.S. For more information, contact dennis@burbio.com. 

Steamers may be an overlooked and undervalued cooking option, but the truth is that they are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can consider for a school kitchen. Check out the new SN Plus, which does a deep dive into the science of steam cooking while explaining key factors to help operators assess and research when selecting the best model for their specific school production kitchen needs. Read Now
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