Registration is open for the Summer Food Service Program training webinar 2 -3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. This webinar will provide a high-level overview of SFSP requirements and discuss program flexibilities related to waivers. Sponsors operating SFSP for the first time or main contacts seeking additional guidance about SFSP operations during the COVID-19 pandemic are invited to tune in. This webinar can be used to fulfill SFSP training requirements, and participants will receive a training certificate after the webinar. Submit questions using this online form to ensure training needs are addressed. If you do not receive a confirmation email after registering, please work with your IT department to add admin@adobeconnect.com to your safe sender's list.
Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer frequently asked questions now available
A Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) FAQ is now available on the Colorado Department of Human Services’s P-EBT website and includes information about who qualifies for P-EBT, how families will receive the benefit and how much will be dispersed to the EBT card. More detailed information, including templates and resources, are coming soon.
The April emergency feeding claim submission form was sent to main claim contacts on April 30. Use the Emergency Feeding Claiming Instructions (XLS) for more information about how to submit emergency feeding claims. Sponsor application contacts who did not receive the Smartsheet claim submission form or need to make claim submission changes should contact free&reducedpriceschoolmeals@cde.state.co.us.
Wellness Corner: practicing mindfulness during the workday
Distractions happen in the workplace, especially during the pandemic. To help you stay present at work and increase effectiveness, consider incorporating the following into your day:
Spend the first two minutes after waking up focusing on your breath.
Boost your brain with a short mindfulness activity when you arrive in your kitchen.
Set a timer to ring during the day. This will remind you to pause and bring your attention back to the task at hand.
Anytime you find yourself getting distracted or stressed at work, return your focus to your breath.
For more information on how to practice mindfulness throughout your workday, visit the Mindful website. For questions, contact Kristi Brennan at brennan_k@cde.state.co.us or 720-450-0926.
NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Program Updates
Back to school guidance
The School Nutrition Unit is creating back-to-school guidance to help School Food Authorities (SFAs) plan for meal service in the fall. The School Nutrition Unit has requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extend all waivers and is investigating state-level waivers to better meet the needs of Colorado communities. Certain waivers will expire on Aug.31 and can be used as part of the traditional School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program at the start of the school year. These waivers include parent pick-up, serving multiple meals and non-congregate feeding. The School Nutrition Unit is considering various scenarios for remote learning and staggered school schedules while creating meal service options. Guidance may change if USDA continues to allow for additional flexibilities.
If you have any specific questions, please contact Kerri Link at link_k@cde.state.co.us.
FFVP during COVID-19 questions and answers
On May 19, USDS released a second questions-and-answers document about the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) as it relates to the 2019-20 school year. Any SFA operating FFVP during school closures that wish to reallocate funds from closed elementary schools to a currently participating FFVP elementary school must complete the reallocation form.
The School Nutrition Unit created a simplified paid lunch equity (PLE) tool (XLS) to assist sponsors with the annual USDA requirement. Please visit the PLE webpage for more information, the PLE tools are due to CDE by Tuesday, June 30.
CDC considerations for reopening schools including food service recommendations
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released COVID-19 considerations for schools as they develop plans for reopening, including language regarding school meals. Recommendations include serving individually plated meals in classrooms, using disposable food service items when feasible, and following proper cleaning procedures for non-disposable food service items.
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) has designed a new back-to-school series for child nutrition professionals to plan for school feeding in a pandemic. The series runs from Monday, June 8, to Tuesday, June 16. Registration Fee: $149 for SNA members, $299 for non-members. Use the frequently asked questions document to help explain the value of the series to your employer and register today.
Attend virtual instructor-led food safety training
Join the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) for a series of free, live, virtual instructor-led food safety training sessions for child nutrition professionals. Training sessions are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis with limited slots available. Topics include food allergies, food safety basics and norovirus. Training dates and registration are available on the ICN website.
Join the USDA Team Nutrition for their webinar highlighting existing tools and new enhancements on both the web-based Tool and Mobile App. There will be a live demo of the app to determine grains contribution, amount to serve, and amount to serve by age group/grade group for different Child Nutrition Programs. Register today for the webinar on Thursday, June 11.
2020-21 free and reduced-price templates now available
The free and reduced-price school meal application and supporting materials for the 2020-21 school year are now available and located on the School Meal Eligibility webpage.
