Take Action on a new school nutrition waiver bill introduced in the Senate today!
The Support Kids Not Red Tape Act is critical to sustaining school nutrition programs, ensuring children have access to school meals and preventing substantial financial losses for schools nationwide.
We know this is an exceptionally hectic time – which makes it even more important that we raise our voices in support of extending school nutrition program waivers for schools facing acute supply chain disruptions, persistent labor shortages and escalating costs. Currently, waivers will expire June 30th resulting in devastating consequences for these programs and the hungry students that rely on them.
The Support Kids Not Red Tape Act:
- Extends USDA’s waiver authority through September 30, 2023.
- Directs states to submit a transition plan to USDA so that schools will be prepared and supported when transitioning back to normal National School Lunch Program operations after the waivers end.
- Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance to states on drafting transition plans and to School Food Authorities on meeting meal standards during the waiver period.
- Prevents schools from being penalized for not meeting meal pattern requirements during the waiver period if the violations are due to supply chain disruptions.
Take action today!
In case you haven’t heard, Fuel Up to Play 60 grant applications are open now through April 13. Schools can apply for Healthy Smoothie Kit or Mobile Meal Carts Kit equipment or up to $4,000/school for healthy eating and physical activity initiatives. For questions, contact Crista Hawkins, chawkins@odncouncil.org or 971-409-0001.
Connect with your school PE Teachers by sharing:
NFL Flag Kit Applications open April 20-May 18, 2022
Share the news with your colleagues and apply for an NFL Flag Kit for your elementary, middle and/or high school. Kits, include equipment, curricula, nutrition tips, videos and more, with an estimated value of $410. This fast-growing team sport provides fun, inclusive ways for kids to be more active. Apply April 20 -May 18 https://flag.genyouthnow.org/
Dear OSNA Members:
URGENT: Action Needed!
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) has submitted comments in response to USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs: Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains and Sodium for SY 2022-23 and SY 2023-24.
We urge all members to take action TODAY to ask USDA to ease rules for schools battling supply chain disruptions.
BACKGROUND:
In February, USDA issued a final rule, with a request for comments, on transitional nutrition standards. At the time, USDA indicated it would extend meal pattern waivers for schools unable to meet these rules due to supply chain disruptions. However, last week Congress failed to give USDA authority to extend pandemic child nutrition waivers, and it remains unclear what meal pattern flexibility USDA will be able to offer after June 30.
TAKE ACTION!
Submit your comments in response to the transitional rule through SNA’s Action Network! Comments are due by 11:59 PM on March 24. Consider using the pre-provided, editable text to share your support for SNA’s comments, and add details about the challenges your school meal program or company faces in meeting these standards, as well as concerns about USDA’s plan to propose additional long-term nutrition standards this fall. When you submit your comment to USDA, a second message will be sent to your legislators to emphasize the critical need for their support.
SNA’s comments highlight ongoing supply chain, labor and cost challenges that impact efforts to meet sodium and whole grain rules. SFAs should not face fiscal action for their inability to meet meal pattern requirements due to supply chain disruptions. The letter stresses “the need for realistic and achievable standards moving forward,” highlighting challenges to additional sodium reductions in school meals.
Are you ready to serve up change? Applications are open through March 31, 2022 for our next class of FoodCorps AmeriCorps service members!
Put your application in at www.foodcorps.org/apply!
As a service member, you’ll connect kids to healthy food in school, from the classroom to the garden to the cafeteria. We encourage you to apply early; we are reviewing applications on a rolling basis until the deadline, so early applicants will hear back sooner.
What makes a great service member? A motivated leader who’s passionate about food education, and eager to serve—especially in a community you call home. Your unique strengths will shape your service, and with the support of our program resources, we’ll get kids excited about nourishing food together.
You’ll grow through your service, too. In addition to a stipend, you’ll get access to dozens of resources and training opportunities and gain a network of inspired food education colleagues. After your service, our alumni program can help you make meaningful connections and build your career in public health, education, food justice, school food leadership, nonprofit management, and more!
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled, and the final DEADLINE for applications is March 31. First round interviews begin in early April, so apply early! If you need some inspiration to get started, check out these 5 tips for making your application stand out! We can’t wait to read your application!
The Oregon Department of Education is currently seeking a Child Nutrition Specialist for the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) within the Office of the Director. This is a full-time, permanent position represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
This exciting role as a Child Nutrition Specialist allows you to work closely with staff who administer child nutrition programs across Oregon to strengthen their program operations and provide technical support. As the main contact for sponsor support and assistance, you work directly with sponsors to review application materials, evaluate the viability, capability, and accountability of applicants and sponsors. You will also provide training, consultative technical assistance, monitoring, and communication to support the effective administration of Oregon Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) in public, non-profit, for-profit, and tribal settings; recruit sponsors and participants to address food insecurity in Oregon and support healthy nutrition and eating behaviors.
To view a full job description and to apply online, click here.
OSNA is inviting anyone working in Area 5 to serve on the OSNA board as the Area 5 Rep. Please contact OSNA President Pam Suyesmatsu at psuyematsu@ontario.k12.or.us.
Hood River School District has opened applications for Nutrition Services Director. The Nutrition Services Director will have direct responsibility for the success of the Nutrition Services program. Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, this position will provide for the budgeting, ordering, delivery, and preparation of foods to be served on a daily basis to all students and staff in all District Schools. In addition, this position will provide direction to kitchen staff on nutrition, portions, menus, work methods and determine staffing levels. The position will also be responsible for planning and serving special events as requested.
Applications will be open until the job is filled. For a full job description and to apply online, click here.
Thank you, OSNA members, for making our 2022 State Conference a success!
We’ve got some great post-conference videos and photo galleries from this year’s meeting. You can access them by clicking on these links:The Oregon Department of Education is seeking a USDA Foods and Procurement Manager for the Child Nutrition Programs Unit. This is a full-time role, limited duration position expected to end June 30, 2023. This position is in Management Service.
This is an exciting position that administers and manages the staff and coordination of the USDA foods program and Child Nutrition Program (CNP) procurement. This role manages USDA funding to school districts that provide nutritious meals and food to children across Oregon who participate in nutrition programs.
This position will direct, supervise and administer the USDA Foods Program by directing the procurement, processing, storage, and distribution of upwards of $19,000,000 in foods to schools, residential and nonresidential childcare institutions, and summer food service sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program.
This role will also direct CNP Program Procurement of all Child Nutrition Programs, including, but not limited to, managing Program Procurement reviews, CNP Program Procurement coordination, CNP Program Procurement Consultation, and CNP Procurement technical training.
CLICK here for full job description and to apply online by March 20, 2022.