Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Material Impact Reduction and Reuse Funding Program
Reusables in Schools Request for Information
The DEQ Material Impact Reduction and Reuse Program (MIRROR) program funds environmental impact reduction efforts by catalyzing changes in how packaging, printed paper, and food serviceware are designed, produced, used, and managed.
DEQ is seeking input and has published a Request for Information (RFI) to gather information to inform investment of the first cycle of MIRROR funding. To further a new potential project, “Reusables in Schools,” DEQ is researching support and implementation needs required to support the implementation of reusable dishware and related equipment in public schools, universities and colleges in Oregon.
Through MIRROR, DEQ is considering an initial investment to help schools adopt reuse systems that reduce environmental impacts. The potential project would prioritize co-benefits such as environmental and human health, cost savings over time, social benefits, waste prevention, and broad access to reusable solutions. The project would aim to help Oregon schools transition from single-use food serviceware to durable, reusable food serviceware systems that reduce environmental impacts while advancing cost-effective and equitable solutions.
The RFI will close on April 3, 2026.
Please click here to learn more about how Oregon school nutrition professionals can provide feedback and comment into the process!
DEQ will host an informational webinar on Zoom to provide an overview of the RFI and answer questions. The webinar will be held:
- March 17 at 10:00 am (PT): Register via Zoom
Questions?
Please email MIRROR@deq.oregon.gov.
Click here to learn more and to register and download a free Crunch toolkit!
Please join the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in a virtual meeting about the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) food benefits program for children. Oregon has applied to offer this new program in Summer 2024, pending approval from the USDA Food Nutrition Services and the Oregon State Legislature.
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Time: 3 to 4 p.m., Pacific Time
Click here to register now
Summer EBT helps close the summer hunger gap when children are on summer break and lose access to healthy meals at school. It will provide $40 per summer month, per child, to families with eligible school-age children. Families will use an EBT card to buy groceries at authorized retailers. FNS estimates that up to 294,000 school-age children in Oregon may be eligible. Summer EBT became a new, permanent program through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
During the webinar there will be an informational presentation about Summer EBT and how it is proposed to work in Oregon, along with time for questions and answers from a panel of ODE and ODHS staff. We hope you will join us to learn more and begin discussing how we can partner around this important opportunity to reduce food insecurity for children during the summer.
We want everyone to feel welcome and safe in this virtual meeting. We will provide free support for you to fully participate, including:
American Sign Language and Live Captioning. If you need other supports or languages, please call (503) 945-5600 or email Communications.DHS@odhsoha.oregon.gov. Please submit your request by Monday, March 11, 2024.
To learn more about the new Summer EBT program, go to www.fns.usda.gov/sebt.
Vendor registration is now open for the 2024 OSNA State Conference Food & Equipment Show. Registrations close on Feb. 8, so book your booth today!
Do you have an innovative approach or dynamic idea concerning child nutrition? Have you implemented something in your school that works well for you? Would you like to share it with your peers?
WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO APPLY TO PRESENT AT OUR STATE CONFERENCE!
Share your expertise in school nutrition and submit an education session proposal for Oregon School Nutrition Association’s state conference to be held March 15-16, 2024, at the Salem Convention Center.
- Nov. 13, 2023: Call for Proposals closes.
- Dec. 1, 2023: Proposal submitters will be notified of program status: accepted, pending or declined.
- Jan. 5, 2024: Completed speaker packets are due through Whova App. (app. details and instructions will be provided Dec. 1)
- Feb. 19, 2024: The session speakers will be notified of their session time.
- March 1, 2024: Session PowerPoint presentations due.
CLICK HERE to apply!
Visit OSNA’s State Conference page for more information on booking your exhibit space for the 2023 Food & Equipment Show, March 11, 2023 at the Salem Convention Center!
This February, the Oregon legislature will convene to determine whether and to what level the Oregon Farm to School Grant program will be funded for the 2023-2025 biennium. The Oregon Farm to School & School Garden Network is preparing to advocate for sustaining the current level of $10.2 million in funding for this grant program. In addition, we will be working with state agencies and the legislature to propose any needed changes to the rules or implementation of the grant program.
We are hoping you will participate in a focus group to help us understand how to best advocate for the Oregon Farm to School Grant Program and any changes you would find helpful as you utilize this funding for local purchasing. We are requesting that child nutrition professionals share your experience with the ODE Competitive and Non-Competitive Grant for the Reimbursement of Oregon Foods. The purpose of these focus groups is to understand areas of success and identify any needed changes to the implementation of the grants to improve accessibility and overall success of the program. All participation will be anonymous and will only serve to inform requests made by the OFSSGN to state agencies and the legislature. Focus groups will be 90 minute sessions. Please use this form to register for one of the scheduling options. If you have any questions, please contact Melina Barker, OFSSGN Director.
CALL FOR PRESENTERS and EDUCATIONAL SESSION PROPOSALS for the
2023 OSNA STATE CONFERENCE
Have a topic you are an expert at?! We are looking for YOU! We are looking for speakers for breakout sessions at the OSNA Conference March 10 and 11 2023!
The OSNA board is seeking educational session proposals related to child nutrition programs. We are looking for Disney themed topics from customer service, food safety, dealing with difficult conversations, USDA meal pattern, procurement, and everything in between. If you have an idea you think would benefit the school meal community, LET’S HEAR IT.
If you are interested in organizing and presenting an educational session, please submit the form below:
If you have never done a presentation, don’t worry. We are here to help walk you through the process and give you strategies so your session shines!
Please be aware that OSNA does not pay for educational session speakers. We are a non-profit volunteer organization committed to the education and training of our members. We do offer free registration for our speakers and the gift of giving back to the school meal community in Oregon.
We have a Rolling Deadline, submit your proposals early!
The 2023 OSNA board will review all proposals and will inform the proposal contact person by end of November 2022, if the proposal has been accepted. If you have any questions regarding the program proposal submission process, please email your question to: kleung@ttsd.k12.or.us
Thank you for your time and consideration in helping further and advance school meals in Oregon!
The OSNA Director’s meeting is rebooting in Bend on June 22!
This meeting is at no cost for member District Directors. Please register using this link.
The agenda will be emailed out to registered directors/admins and is slated to include a walk-through of the Bend-LaPine SD operations, updates from the Farm to School team, and more!
Register ASAP and before June 10.
