Employee Safety Subject of Digital Extra From School Nutrition Magazine
The effects and implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on school meal operations are ever-evolving. Reacting to change and being able to pivot, regroup and redirect are the hallmarks of our "new normal." To help address topics that are relevant today—and not wait until the next print edition is mailed— School Nutrition has produced the first of a series of digital-exclusive COVID-19 supplements. Read more
 
New USDA COVID-19 Policy Memos
USDA Food and Nutrition Service has released a series of Q&A memos to provide clarification to meal service requirements during COVID-19 school closures.
  • Milk Requirements
  • SFSP Closed Enrollment Sites and Camps
  • Site Finder – SFSP/SSO
  • CACFP Meal Delivery
  • Multi-Program Sponsors
  • Claims and Payments
  • Civil Rights
  • Weekend and Holiday Meals

USDA Releases FFVP COVID-19 Memo
USDA has released a new  memo  regarding flexibilities in the operation of the FFVP during COVID-19 school closures. 
 
Help Feed Kids School Kids Now! Grant Application Period Opens
The Help Feed School Kids Now! Grant funding application period is now open! The   School Nutrition Foundation  (SNF) has created a  GoFundMe  campaign to support your tireless efforts to feed America’s children while schools are closed during the ongoing COVID-19 national emergency.
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Join your school nutrition colleagues at #ANC2020 where more than 120 education sessions will be available for you to learn and earn 13 CEUs or training hours for Professional Standards in the four key areas of Nutrition, Operations, Administration and Communications & Marketing.  Learn more  
Tomorrow: Rewind & Repeat: Science-Based Basics for Food Safety Webinar
The importance of food safety in schools remains clear, but let’s rewind and refresh ourselves on the basics. Experts with the Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs at Kansas State University will share key research findings and applications for food cooling, handwashing and managing common-sense behaviors.

New Training Zone Video
Watch this short video demonstrating how easy it is for SNA members to register for webinars and webinars on-demand.
Watch & Share Video
Our favorite author and artist Jarrett J. Krosoczka, creator of the famed "Lunch Lady" crime fighter graphic novel series, has an important message to share about America's #LunchHeroes, still on the front lines feeding kids in the face of a global pandemic. He's so good, he can draw without looking! Watch and share this amazing video!
SNA Comments on Turnip the Beet Program
SNA has submitted comments to the U.S Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services for the Federal Register  notice Agency Information Collection Activities: Turnip the Beet! High Quality Summer Meals Award Program. While “Turnip the Beet” is a very beneficial program for feeding students through the summer, these comments express that there are also barriers and challenges to improving the quality of meals. SNA recommends the incorporation of a multi-step approach to assess using State agency professionals to allow for input and verification from personnel who are aware of the expectations and outcomes.

SNA Comments on Information Collection for CPI
On April 2, 2020, SNA submitted comments to the U.S Department of Labor’s  Request for Comment on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI is used by USDA to establish income eligibility guidelines and levels of support for free and reduced-price school meal benefits, program reimbursement rates (National Average Payments) and USDA Foods support rate.

Dietary Guidelines Committee Update
The 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's schedule has been extended in consideration of new demands on Committee members' schedules due to COVID-19. The  ongoing period for public comments to the Committee, which opened in March 2019, will now close on June 1, 2020. USDA and HHS continue to plan for the release of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans by the end of the year.
Washington Post article: Schools struggle to safely get free meals to needy students
Houston Independent School District now has fewer meal sites where people pick up bags filled with food designed to last several days for a family of four. "But small school districts may struggle to duplicate Houston’s model, said Diane Pratt-Heavner, spokeswoman for the School Nutrition Association. They may not have enough staffers or the facilities to prepare meals with proper social distancing," she said. Read more on how school districts work hard to ensure their nutrition staff remain safe while feeding kids during school closures.

SNA Publishes Research Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on the School Nutrition Industry
SNA surveyed its industry members to better understand their concerns, needs, the important issues they feel need to be addressed with the USDA to mitigate future issues, and to identify how SNA could assist during COVID-19 closures.
April’s School Nutrition magazine is a special edition including resources, front-line stories, statistics and relevant information pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. Arm yourself with accurate information and plans to help you and your department during the global crisis.