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Nutrition Programs

fn.gif Iowa's Department of Education mission is to facilitate and promote quality USDA Child Nutrition Programs that will benefit the education, health, and well being of the citizens of Iowa.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

After School Snack Programs Print E-mail

The Afterschool Snack program has been established by Section 102(d) of Public Law 105-336 to provide nutritious snacks for children involved in after-school programs. Snacks can be provided by Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP) or schools through the National School Lunch Programs (NSLP). Reimbursement for snacks served in after-school care programs became effective October 1, 1998.

icon USDA Afterschool Care Snack Program Handbook for School Programs (1.94 MB 2006-06-06 15:25:42)

Programs that provide care after the school day ends may be eligible for USDA reimbursement for snacks served to children through age 18. To be eligible for reimbursement, after-school care programs must meet the criteria listed under each program. The criteria is slightly different for participation under CACFP and NSLP, so review both options carefully to determine which is best for your situation.

CACFP Afterschool Snack Overview

How do I apply for CACFP afterschool snacks? Contact your CACFP State agency today to participate in this Program! In Iowa and in most states, the CACFP State agency will be your State Department of Education. If you are located in Iowa you may call the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation for more information at (515)-281-5356 or contact: Rod.Bakken@iowa.gov

Is my afterschool care program in an eligible area?

In order for a site to participate, your program must be "area eligible". An after-school care program site is "area eligible" if it is located in the attendance area of a school where at least 50 percent of the enrolled children are eligible for free or reduced price meals. Afterschool care programs can use free and reduced price meal data from elementary, middle, or high schools to document a site as "area eligible". You must also provide children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in a supervised environment.

How do we get reimbursed?

Programs may claim reimbursement for one snack per child, per day. All snacks which meet the CACFP meal pattern are reimbursed at the free rate. Sites may not charge for snacks served to eligible participants.

What type of snacks must be served in my program?

In order to be reimbursed, the snacks must contain at least two different components of the following four: a serving of fluid milk; a serving of meat or meat alternate; a serving of vegetable(s) or fruits(s) or juice; a serving of whole grain or enriched bread and/or cereal.

What times of the day/year may snacks be claimed?

Snacks may be reimbursed under CACFP after the school day has ended and at any time of day on weekends, holidays, and vacation periods during the school year.

What records must be maintained?

Your State agency will provide you with specific information on the reporting and record keeping requirements. You will need to maintain a roster or sign-in sheet for participating children. Additionally, you must record and report the total number of snacks you serve each day, and document compliance with the meal pattern for CACFP. Your State agency will be able to provide you with a copy of the CACFP meal pattern.

Which Type Should I Choose? Outside School Hour Child Care (OSHCC) or "At-Risk" Afterschool Snack Program (AASP)?

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has two special types of serving sites (OSHCC and AASP) that are well suited for part-day childcare operations (usually before school hours, or after school hours or both before and after school hours). Your part-day childcare site(s) operation may be located separately from your full-day childcare center or located within your full-day childcare center but serving a group of older children distinctly separate from the full-day children.

If you have a part-day childcare, use the following information to determine if you are eligible, whether the OSHCC or the AASP best suites your part-day childcare needs, and whether or not you wish to submit an OSHCC or AASP Site Application.

You must first contact the State Agency before submitting a new Site Application.

You are qualified for an OSHCC when you:
  • Serve a separate group of children up to age 13 years before/after normal school hours, usually during the school year, school vacations and during the summer.
  • Serve Breakfast or PM Snack or both.
  • Located anywhere in a licensed/license-exempted facility.
  • You collect Free and Reduced-price Income Eligibility Forms if you claim reimbursement at free or reduced-price rates.

You are qualified for an AASP when you:
  • Serve a separate group of children up to age 19 years after normal school hours during the school year, including weekends and during school vacations.
  • Serve a PM Snack
  • Located in a licensed/license-exempted facility located within an eligible low-income area (50% or more based on school data or based on 2000 US Census data). All snacks are automatically reimbursed at the free rate.

For an additional afterschool snack option, review the Child and Adult Care Food Program afterschool snack basic information. 

CACFP Afterschool Snack Resources

icon CACFP Snack Meal Pattern (27.24 KB 2006-06-06 10:08:13) 

icon CACFP Sample Cycle Menu (79.47 KB 2006-06-06 09:47:48)
 
icon CAFP Daily Snack Count Form (26.4 KB 2006-06-06 09:48:50)

icon CACFP Daily Snack Attendance Form (117.85 KB 2006-06-06 10:02:04)
   
icon CACFP Sample Snack Menu Form (22.96 KB 2006-06-06 09:50:56)

NSLP Afterschool Snack Overview

How do I apply for afterschool snacks? Contact the school food service director in your school district if you are located outside of Iowa. If you are located in Iowa you may call the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Food and Nutrition for more information at 515-281-5356 or contact: Patti.Harding@iowa.gov

Is my afterschool care program eligible?

In order for a site to participate, your school district must operate the NSLP. Additionally the afterschool care program must provide children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in a supervised environment. Sites are either area eligible in which case all snacks are served free or snacks are served and counted based on the free and reduced or paid eligibility of the student. Contact the Bureau of Food and Nutrition, Iowa Department of Education at (515)-281-5356 for further information regarding program eligibility in Iowa.

How do we get reimbursed?

Schools may claim reimbursement for one snack per child, per day. If the site is located in an area served by a school in which at least 50% of the enrolled children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, all children are eligible to receive reimbursement for snacks at the free rate. Sites located in other areas must count meals and claim reimbursement by eligibility type of the child (free, reduced-price and paid) and have documentation of eligibility. No more than $.15 may be charged for a reduced-price snack.

What type of snacks must be served in my program?

In order to be reimbursed, the snacks must contain at least two different components of the following four: a serving of fluid milk; a serving of meat or meat alternate; a serving of vegetable(s) or fruits(s) or juice; a serving of whole grain or enriched bread and/or cereal.

What times of the day/year may snacks be claimed?

Meals may only be claimed when served after the school day has ended. Meals served on weekends, holidays, or vacation periods may not be reimbursed under the NSLP.

What records must be maintained?

The following records are required to receive reimbursement:
For sites that are not area eligible, free and reduced price applications for all children for whom free and reduced price snacks are claimed;
Meal counts (totals for sites qualifying for free reimbursement for all children;
meal counts by type for all other sites);
Documentation for each child's attendance;
Documentation of compliance with meal pattern requirements (menus) and food production records.

Documentation of two monitoring reviews done by the school food authority each year must also be maintained. The first review must be done within the first four weeks of Program operations. Forms for each type of record may be found under NSLP Afterschool Snack Resources, "USDA Afterschool Care Snack Program Handbook for School Programs."

For additional afterschool snack options, review the National School Lunch Program afterschool snack basic information: www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Afterschool/default.htm

NSLP Afterschool Snack Resources

icon USDA Afterschool Care Snack Program Handbook for School Programs (1.94 MB 2006-06-06 15:25:42)

icon Iowa Afterschool Snack Program Daily Attendance Record (10.86 KB 2006-06-06 15:01:24)  

icon Snack Participation Data Worksheet(Roster) (5.07 KB 2006-06-06 15:50:25)

icon Self Monitoring Form for On-Site Reviews of Afterschool Care Snack Program (11.46 KB 2006-06-06 15:03:56)  

icon Iowa Afterschool Snack Program Food Production Record Worksheet (9.87 KB 2006-06-06 15:02:33) 

 

Afterschool Snack Program Contacts

 

Afterschool Snack Program Links
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 23 October 2007 )
 
Child & Adult Care Food Program Print E-mail

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that provides meal reimbursement to child care centers, adult day care centers,emergency shelters and child development homes for serving nutritious meals. The objectives of CACFP are to:

  • Improve the diets of children by providing nutritious meals.

  • Help children develop good eating habits that will last through the years.

  • Help adults maintain good diets by providing nutritious meals.

This Program serves:

  • Children age 0 through 12 years in child care centers.

  • Children through age 18 in at risk afterschool programs and emergency shelters.

  • Children of migrant workers, through age 15.

  • Functionally impaired disabled persons receiving care in a center or home where most children are 18 years old and younger.

  • Elderly or impaired adults in non-residential day care settings.

The funds provided for this Program are from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Program is operated in Iowa through the Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation in the Department of Education.

What is QRS?

QRS stands for Iowa's Quality Rating System. It offers providers a guided way to improve the quality of child care they provide by achieving recognized "Levels".

What do the levels mean?

A provider who achieves Level 1 has met Iowa's registration or licensing standards. A provider who achieves Level 2 has completed additional training and steps to improve quality and participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Providers in Levels 3-5 have made significant steps in meeting key indicators of quality in the areas of professional development, health and safety, environment, family and community partnership and leadership and administration. Because participation in the CACFP has been shown to be an indicator of quality child care, a center must participate, if eligible, to achieve level 2.

Am I eligible for CACFP?

Click on the link to learn about CACFP eligibility requirements: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/365/432/1/2/

Who can participate?

Registered child development homes, Licensed child care centers, Head Start, Early Head Start, afterschool programs, and child care programs operated by school districts. For more information visit: http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/iqrs/

Eligibility Requirements

Child Care Centers: Public or Private Non-profit

Any child care organization in Iowa providing non-residential care for children may participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program if the following requirements are met:

  • The center is licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) or is specifically exempted from licensing by the Iowa DHS and has had the proper health and safety inspections.
  • The organization is a public institution, or the organization is a private non-profit organization with tax-exempt state [(501(c)(3)] as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Code of 1986.

A Board of Directors governs the private non-profit organization. Voting board of directors should not have a vested interest in the center(s) or be a paid center employee.

A private non-profit or a public organization can operate a preschool, full day child care center, an outside school hours child car, an At Risk After School snack program or an emergency shelter program.

Child Care Centers: Private For-Profit

A private for-profit child care organization in Iowa providing non-residential care for children may participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program if the following requirements are met:

  • The center is licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) or is specifically exempted from licensing by the Iowa DHS and has had the proper health and safety inspections.
  • The center has at least 25% free and reduced-price eligible children enrolled relative to the total enrollment or the license capacity.

25% Documentation Survey

Distribute income eligibility form (with a cover letter) to parents, and complete the 25% documentation form to determine CACFP eligibility.

Clink on the following link to get the parent letter, income application and 25% Documentation Survey: http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/365/432/1/6/

Adult Centers

Any adult day care organization providing non-residential caring for adults may participate in the Iowa Child and Adult Care Food Program if the following requirements are met. The organization must be:
  • a public institution, or
  • a private non-profit organization with tax-exempt status [501(C)(3)] as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code of 1986, or
  • a proprietary (private for-profit) and with 25% free and reduced-price eligible adults enrolled relative to total enrollment or approved capacity.
In addition the center must meet the following requirements:
  • The center is caring for aged (60 years or older) or functionally impaired adults.
  • The center has been approved for an Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) Purchase of Service Agreement (POS), has an inspection from the Department of Inspections and Appeals, or has Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation.

Child Development Homes

Any child development home providing care for children in Iowa may participate in the Iowa Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) if the child development home:
  • is registered by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) and
  • has an Iowa CACFP Home Sponsor.
The CACFP Home Sponsor disburses CACFP reimbursement received from the State Agency to participating child development homes for serving meals that meet the CACFP requirements. Homes may request approval for breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks (morning, afternoon and evening).

Emergency Shelters

An emergency shelter or temporary residential site must provide residential care and food services to homeless children. It must be a public or private nonprofit institution. Unlike most other CACFP facilities, a shelter does not have to be licensed to provide day care. However, it must meet any health and safety codes that are required by state or local law.

A shelter may complete an application and sign an agreement with the State administering agency, or it may participate as a facility under an existing public or non-profit CACFP sponsoring organization.

At Risk After School Snack Program

In order for an At Risk After School site to participate, it must be located in a school attendance area where at least 50 percent of the enrolled children are eligible for free or reduced price meals (area eligible). After school care programs can use free and reduced price meal data from elementary, middle, or high schools to document a site as "area eligible". You must also provide children with regularly scheduled educational or enrichment activities in a supervised environment. There are no federal licensing requirements; however, after school care programs are required to meet State or local licensing requirements. If the organization is exempt from licensing, the program must meet State or local health and safety requirements.

Reimbursement

Meals - What Meals Can be Reimbursed?

Child Care Centers are paid reimbursement for children 1-12 years and infants serving meals that follow the CACFP meal pattern requirements. Centers may request approval for breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks (morning, afternoon and evening). Currently, USDA rules allow reimbursement to be paid for not more than two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per child per day. Meals served to supervising adults, volunteers and visitor cannot be claimed for CACFP reimbursement.

Adult Day Care Centers are paid reimbursement for planning and serving meals that follow the adult CACFP meal pattern requirements. Centers may request approval for breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks (morning, afternoon and evening). Currently, USDA rules allow reimbursement to be paid for not more than two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per adult per day. Meals served to supervising adults, volunteers and visitor cannot be claimed for CACFP reimbursement.

Outside School Hours Care Centers may claim breakfasts and snacks. Lunches served to school children in these centers may be claimed only when school is not in session such as on weekends, holidays or school vacations.

Child Development Homes are reimbursed for planning and serving meals that follow CACFP requirements for children 1-12 years and infants. Homes may request approval to claim breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks (morning, afternoon and evening). Reimbursement is paid for not more than two meals and one snack, two snacks and one meal or three snacks per day.

At Risk After School Snacks served after the end of the school day or on vacation days or holidays (during school year only) are the only meals eligible for reimbursement. All snacks are reimbursed at the "free" rate. Income applications are not required.

Homeless and Emergency Shelters may claim breakfast, lunch and supper or two of these meals and a snack. All meals are reimbursed at the "free" rate. Income applications are not required.

Reimbursement is based on the income level on participants if income applications are collected. Meals served to lower income participants are reimbursed at a higher rate. Reimbursement rates can be found on the side navigation menu under "Nutrition Programs Funding " and then select CACFP.

Application Procedures

How do I apply for the CACFP center program in Iowa?

Center Programs and Emergency Shelters:

Contact Rod Bakken or Robin Searles at 515-281-5356

Attendance at a CACFP Steps to Success Workshop is required to become familiar with the Program requirements. The CACFP application for participation must be completed by your organization and returned to the State Agency for approval. An appointment will be made for a pre-approval visit by the CACFP consultant located in your area.

Child Development Homes:

Contact the Child and Adult Care Food Program Home Sponsor in your county, (click on the list below.) Call the Home Sponsor and ask for the CACFP representative to schedule a visit in your home to explain the CACFP requirements.

List of CACFP Home Sponsors in Iowa by county

General Resources

Meal Patterns

icon 0607 Infant Meal Pattern (2006-07-19)

icon 0607 Children 1 thru 12 Meal Pattern (2007-02-14)

Adult Meal Pattern Adult Meal Pattern

Handy Guide to Creditable Foods Handy Guide to Creditable Foods

CACFP Menu Ideas

Montana Toolkit
This toolkit was designed for participants of the Montana Child and Adult Care Food Program; although the information is helpful to any childcare provider. The menus (5 weeks of breakfast, lunch and one snack), with accompanying recipes and resources, are provided to assist childcare providers in serving healthy meals which are cost effective, easy to prepare, and appealing to children.

http://www.opi.mt.gov/schoolfood/cyclecare.html

icon CACFP Menu Ideas Part1 (2006-06-07)

icon CACFP Menu Idea - Part2 (2006-06-07)

icon Activities for Nutritious CACFP Snack (2006-06-07)

icon Best Practice Tips for Family Style Meals (2006-06-07)

icon CACFP Snack Ideas (2006-06-07)

icon Serving Size Chart (2006-11-09)

Sample Menus to Meet 2005 Dietary Guidelines Sample Menus to Meet 2005 Dietary Guidelines

Forms

Allergy/Food Exception Statement Allergy/Food Exception Statement

Publications

Building for the Future Brochure

The Building for the Future Brochure must be provided to families upon enrollment to inform them of the center's participation in the CACFP. A copy may be downloaded from the USDA Websites listed below (print two-sided, flip on short edge) or obtained from the CACFP Steps to Success Manual.

Building for the Future Brochure-English Building for the Future Brochure-English

Center Resources

Forms

Iowa Eligibility Application Iowa Eligibility Application

Parent Letter: Non-pricing Center Parent Letter: Non-pricing Center

Parent Letter: Pricing Center Parent Letter: Pricing Center

Income Eligibility Guidelines Income Eligibility Guidelines

Approval Instructions Approval Instructions

icon 25% Documentation Survey Form (2006-11-30)

CACFP Sponsored Center (Site) Review Form CACFP Sponsored Center (Site) Review Form

Adult CACFP Sponsored Center Site Review Form Adult CACFP Sponsored Center Site Review Form

Sample Child Care Enrollment Form Sample Child Care Enrollment Form

Daily Meal Participation Record Daily Meal Participation Record

Menu Form for children ages 1-12 years (Child Centers only) Menu Form for children ages 1-12 years (Child Centers only)

WIC Information Resources Order Form WIC Information Resources Order Form

Menu Form for Adult Centers Menu Form for Adult Centers

CACFP Tracking Worksheet for Training Requirements

Tracking Worksheet for Training Requirements Tracking Worksheet for Training Requirements

 
Household Contacts

Household contacts - Tracking/Phone Contact Form Household contacts - Tracking/Phone Contact Form

Household contacts- Sample Cover Letter Household contacts- Sample Cover Letter

 

Daily Attendance Record (After School Snack Program)

icon Daily Attendance Record (ASP) (2006-06-07)

Food Production Records

Food Production Records are used to document that required amounts of food have been served. If food is ordered food from an outside source, use the Contracted Meal Food Production Record. If meals are prepared onsite, use either the Short Food Production Record or the Regular Food Production Record form. The regular form includes columns that match the Food Buying Guide and instructions for calculating amounts to prepare. Outside hours child care centers may use the form developed for those organizations.

Contracted Meal Food Production Record Contracted Meal Food Production Record

Short Food Production Record Short Food Production Record

Regular Food Production Record Regular Food Production Record

Food Production Record Worksheet (Outside School Hours Care Centers Only)

icon Food Production Records Wrksht (2006-06-07)

Home Sponsor Resources

List of Home Sponsors in Iowa

USDA's instruction describing CACFP allowable/non-allowable financial costs for CACFP Home Sponsor Administrative annual budget and monthly financial claims.

USDA FNS Instruction 796-2, Revisions 3 USDA FNS Instruction 796-2, Revisions 3

Set of 18 Brochures by USDA's summarizing CACFP allowable financial costs from the FNS Instruction 796-2, Revision 3.

htm USDA's CACFP Financial Management Brochures

Infant Feeding

Infant Meal Pattern

0607 Infant Meal Pattern 0607 Infant Meal Pattern

Is this infant meal reimbursable?

icon Is this meal reimbursable (2006-06-08)

Child Care Center Infant Enrollment Form

Child Care Center Infant Enrollment Form Child Care Center Infant Enrollment Form

Infant Foods Tried at Home

icon Infant foods tried at home (2006-06-08)

Reimbursable Foods for Infants

Reimbursable Foods for Infants Reimbursable Foods for Infants

 

Infant Menu Form Options

 

DHS Recommended Infant Daily Report

icon DHS Recommended Infant Daily Rpt (2006-06-08)

Individual Infant Weekly Menu

icon Individual Infant Weekly Menu (2006-06-08)

0-3 Individual Infant Monthly Menu

icon 0-3 Individual Infant Mnthly Menu (2006-06-08)

4-7 Individual Infant Monthly Menu

icon 4-7Individual Infant Mnthly Menu (2006-06-08)

8-11 Individual Infant Monthly Menu

icon 8-11 Individual Infant Mnthly Menu (2006-06-08)

Group Infant Weekly Menu

icon Group Infant Weekly Menu (2006-06-08)

Infant Recipes

Two infant recipes (pancakes and muffins) using iron-fortified infant cereal may be used to meet CACFP iron-fortified cereal requirement.

icon Infant Cereal Recipes (2007-02-14)

Child and Adult Care Food Program FAQs

Child and Adult Care Food Program Links

Child and Adult Care Food Program Contact


Last Updated ( Friday, 04 April 2008 )
 
Commodity Food Distribution Print E-mail

The Commodity Food Distribution is an integral part of the Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation web page. Several important commodity updates and information sheets are now available on the web. The ordering of commodities via the Internet is now up and running. Iowa will be using two warehouses in the state for the storage of commodities this year. They are Des Moines Cold Storage and Mason City Cold Storage. Keck, Inc. from Des Moines will be in charge of transporting commodities to your school sites.

Commodity Contacts

Official commodity HOLDS and RECALLS will also be a part of the commodity web site that will be available to you. Look for the link "Commodity Food Alerts" to be kept up-to-date.

Programs

Commodity Processing

One of the functions of the Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation is to distribute commodity food products to Iowa's school system. One of the options Iowa has is to distribute a bulk food item to a processor who will then make it into a popular end product. For example, Iowa sends many truckloads of frozen bulk chicken to the Tyson Company and GoldKist. These two companies then will make chicken nuggets, chicken strips/tenders, chicken patties, and popcorn chicken. The finished product will then be sent to Iowa's warehouses where it can then be distributed to Iowa schools. All of the products that Iowa selects to process are approved by the Iowa Commodity Advisory Council. Other bulk products that Iowa currently processes; peanut butter, oil, Nonfat-Dry Milk, mozzarella cheese, and various fruits, along with bulk beef and pork. Once these products are approved by the council, a contract is signed between the processing company and the State of Iowa. These contracts are one-year renewable contracts up to three years.

Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh Fruit/Vegetable Program

Iowa is currently utilizing it's state entitlement dollars on securing fresh fruits and vegetables for some of the larger school districts in Iowa. These larger schools were selected to enable them to use fully their entitlement dollars on commodities offered each year. This program allows them to designate a portion of their annual entitlement for the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables. This system also allows these schools to use their regular commercial distributors to receive the fresh fruits and vegetables. Approximately thirty (30) schools are currently in the DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Advisory Council

Contacts

Council Members

Meeting Minutes

February 2007 Meeting February 2007 Meeting (2007-04-30)

icon October 2006 Meeting (2006-11-13)

icon February 2006 Meeting

icon October 2005 Meeting

Values

Commodity values are determined annually by USDA.  These are the average prices per pound for each product the USDA may purchase in a given year.  They change for each school year.  These are the values of the commodity foods that a school needs to keep in their inventory to determine what they have used in the food program each year.  Schools may need both years of information to make comparisons on food values. 

2007-2008

0708 Commodity Values 0708 Commodity Values

0708 Commodity Processed Values and Case Prices 0708 Commodity Processed Values and Case Prices

2007- 08 Commodity Foods Ordered 2007- 08 Commodity Foods Ordered (2007-08-13)

2006-2007

0607 Commodity Values 0607 Commodity Values

icon 0607 Commodity Processed Values and Case Prices (2006-07-19)

Publications and Reports

Forms

School's on-site review for their own program. This is done annually by each school and kept in the school files.

icon Storage Facility Review (2006-06-08)

icon Split Delivery Request (2006-06-08)

icon Commodity Transfer Report (2006-06-08)

icon Commodity Shipment Received Over/Short (2006-06-08)

icon Commodity Food Preference Survey (2006-06-27)


Iowa Commodity Processors Fact Booklet
Current version of commodity processors end products for 2007-08 that will be offered on the commodity order form. It has a breakdown of foods with nutritional information, description, serving sizes cooking instructions and contact information.

Iowa Commodity Processors Fact Booklet Iowa Commodity Processors Fact Booklet


Commodity Food Available for 2006-07

These are the commodity food products that USDA has determined may be available for the next school year.  Availability will be determined by market conditions and market prices. 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/foods/sy07-schfoods.pdf

 

Commodities FAQ

 

Commodity Links
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 February 2008 )
 
Food Safety Print E-mail

The Department of Education, Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation does not have a formal process for alerting Child Nutrition Programs of food recalls and alerts unless it is a USDA Donated Commodity Food Product. Further, the Department is not the agency with authority to manage other recalls.

School Program participants are notified of Commodity Food Product alerts and recalls through an e-mail system (the School Food Authority is responsible for keeping their emergency contact e-mail address on file with the Bureau current) and posting to the Bureau web site.

 
Even though the agency does not manage recalls and alerts of other food items, this web site will include postings of such items that probably have a strong likelihood of being served in a Child Nutrition Program, CACFP, SP, or SFSP. These postings will occur as DE becomes aware of them, but usually with some time lag. Postings will be for approximately 6 months.
 
For the most current list of unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six federal agencies with vastly different jurisdictions have joined together to create www.recalls.gov -- a "one stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls. Click on the web site below frequently to obtain the most up to date comprehensive listing.

A Biosecurity Checklist for School Foodservice Programs

Biosecurity Checklist for SFP (423.67 KB 2006-06-21 13:26:54)

 

Commodity Distribution 

Alerts

No alerts at this time. 

 

Formulas and Baby Food

Recalls

No recalls at this time. 

Alerts

No alerts at this time.

 

Selected Purchased Food Product Postings

Recalls

Green Bean and Garbanzo Bean

Alerts

No alerts at this time.

 

Process Approach to HACCP

School Food Safety Program - Process Approach to HACCP 
The Child Nutrition Program Reauthorization requires the creation of a school Food Safety Program based on the process approach to a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety system. This local Food Safety Program must be in use by the beginning of school, fall 2006. Below is a document that provides links to the basic information about the Food Safety Program regulation. It also provides additional websites, for further information and resources.

HACCP Resources and References 

icon HACCP Resources and References (35.46 KB 2006-06-21 15:23:50)

Guidance document for School Food Authorities to use in developing the required School Food Safety Program based on the Process Approach to HACCP

 http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/CNlabeling/Food-Safety/HACCPGuidance.pdf

 

School Food Safety Program: Process Approach to HACCP Principles, Part 1

    Presentation

        HAACP Principles Pt1 Presentation HAACP Principles Pt1 Presentation
 

School Food Safety Program: Process Approach to HACCP Principles, Part 2

    Presentation

        HAACP Principles Pt2 Presentation HAACP Principles Pt2 Presentation
 

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 26 March 2008 )
 
Fruit Vegetable Program Print E-mail

The Nutrition Title of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public-Law 10-171) provided $6,000,000 in funding for a pilot program in four states (Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan) and one Indian Reservation (Zuni in New Mexico) to distribute fresh fruit, dried fruit, and fresh vegetables to students. The project was administered by the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and was evaluated through USDA's Economic Research Service.

The pilot operated in 25 schools in each state and the schools on the Zuni reservation, beginning with the 2002-2003 school year. The overall goal of the program was to improve fruit and vegetable consumption among the Nation's school children participating in the pilot by offering free fruits and vegetables at various times, using various methods throughout the school day. Schools selected to participate were chosen to represent a mix of large and small, rural, suburban, and urban, elementary, middle, and high schools. The participating schools also included students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and family income levels. Schools chose a variety of implementation methods, frequency of implementation, and whether or not to include a nutrition education component with the program. The intent of the pilot was to determine the feasibility of offering such a program and its success as determined by the students' interest in participating.

All Iowa schools participating in the USDA National School Lunch Program were provided the opportunity to apply in the summer of 2002. The schools selected by USDA to participate in the pilot are shown on the listing that follows. Results in Iowa paralleled the results in the other pilot schools. Nearly all schools believed that it is feasible to continue the pilot program if funding were made available. The funding level was considered ample. Schools believed that 80 percent of students were very interested in the pilot, and 71 percent reported that students' interest had increased during the pilot period. A copy of the USDA's report to Congress on the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program can be found through the following link.

A copy of the USDA's report to Congress on the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program can be found through the following shortcut.

USDA's report to Congress on the Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program

Pilot Continues in Iowa

On January 23, 2004, with the signing of the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Bill, $1,000,000 was made available to the Iowa State Education Agency to continue the fresh fruit and vegetable pilot project in Iowa. In addition the bill included a similar provision for the state of Mississippi to start a free fresh fruit, dried fruit, and fresh vegetable program. This funding, according to the legislation, was made available to the state through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, rather than through the USDA. The application process to receive this funding was completed during the spring of 2004, with the funding released in June of 2004 for use during the 2004-2005 school year. The original 25 pilot schools were funded to continue participating and three additional schools were selected to participate as the intent of the legislation was for some expansion of the program in Iowa, even though the funding level was less than the original pilot.

Pilot Becomes a Permanent Program

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-265) extended and expanded the free Fresh Fruit, Dried Fruit and Fresh Vegetable Program. The law authorizes 25 schools to participate in the program with funding through USDA in the original four pilot states (Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Michigan) and in Mississippi, plus three new states (Pennsylvania, Washington, North Carolina) and two additional tribal organizations. Since the 25 pilot schools in Iowa are participating under a grant from the Centers for Disease Control for 2004-2005 school year, an additional 25 schools were selected to participate in the USDA program for this year. New schools selected to participate for this school year were selected using criteria similar to the original pilot selection process with a slightly higher emphasis given to schools with at least 50% of their students eligible for free or reduced price meals and priority to schools that have at least one partnership to support the program as directed by guidance from the legislation.

Application Procedures

The Iowa Department of Education received new applications to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) beginning with the 2007-08 school year. Applications for the FFVP were directly mailed to all public and non-puplic school districts in addition to this electronic posting. The goals of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program are to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices; expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience; increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption; and to make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health.

Fruit and Vegetable Programs

Iowa Schools Participating in the Free Fresh Fruit, Dried Fruit, and Fresh Vegetable Program

Fruit and Vegetable Programs 2007-08 Grant Winners Fruit and Vegetable Programs 2007-08 Grant Winners

News

Iowa wins USDA award to promote fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in schools.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cga/PressReleases/2004/PR-0312.htm

Links

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Links

FAQs

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program FAQs

 

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 31 October 2007 )
 
Green Beans and Garbanzo Beans Print E-mail
A recall has been issued by the USDA on commodity issued green beans and garbanzo beans. The FDA is warning consumers about a potential Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum) contamination of canned beans manufactured by the New Era Canning Company, New Era, Michigan. C. botulinum is the bacterium that causes botulism, which can be fatal. The recall is for large institutional-sized cans, averaging 6 pounds in weight (#10 cans). For a list of labels and list of all recalled product visit the web-sites below for further information.

This product was shipped to our Des Moines warehouse schools in September of 2004 and August of 2005 by this company. All green beans that we have ordered in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are from another company and are not involved in this recall. So, if you received product in September/October of 2004 or August/September of 2005 and still have these green beans in your inventory, from the New Era Company with lot codes 00249,  you need to do the following: 1) Set the product aside and tag it 2) quarantine the product and hold until further direction 3) contact this office if you have the product. Later instructions from New Era will either allow on-site destruction with proper documentation, or the company will arrange for pick-up.

Do not puncture or otherwise open cans prior to pick-up or disposal. Particular care should be used when handling and disposing of cans that show signs of swelling or leakage to prevent any human exposure to the contents of the cans.

All of the cans of green beans we have ordered the past two years are from Del Monte and should be the only ones in your inventory. This notice is just a warning in case you do have the older green beans still in your inventory. If you do find any of the implicated green beans, please let this office know by calling or by FAX at 515-281-6548. Just a reminder that the Mason City warehouse and the former Sioux City warehouse schools are not involved.

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/newera.html

Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 January 2008 )
 
Ground Beef Recall - Update 2/19/2008 Print E-mail

 The "HOLD" on the Westland Company ground beef has now become a "RECALL" meaning that schools are to destroy the product at their facilities. This product must be destroyed, and cannot be used or reconditioned for human consumption. Instructions on this procedure and a claim for reimbursement form have been sent to all schools. The directives show us the procedure for less that 50 cases and more than 50 cases. Please read the Instruction sheet you have received by mail. Turn this form into the state office when you have completed the procedure. Our FAX is 515-281-6548 or use email or regular mail. All ground beef that schools ordered for the 8E (Feb./March) deliveries had to be deleted on your order.

All this ground beef was from the Westland Meat Company and is being held in the Des Moines Cold and the Mason City Cold warehouses where it will soon be taken to the local landfills to be destroyed. Ground Beef may be offered for 8F (April) deliveries if USDA can find different ground beef manufacturers who can fill the nation's orders. In the mean- time you will have to purchase ground beef from other sources.

Following is a link to the USDA Website's Q & As regarding the Westland Meat recall. http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome  

Last Updated ( Thursday, 27 March 2008 )
 
National School Lunch Program Print E-mail

The National School Lunch Program is a federally funded program which assists schools and other agencies in providing nutritious lunches to children at reasonable prices. In addition to financial assistance, the program provides donated commodity foods to help reduce lunch program costs. The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing the program nationally. In Iowa, the program is administered by the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Nutrition Programs and School Transportation. For more information, connect to the USDA site.

What are the benefits of participating in the program?

For children, the National School Lunch Program provides a nutritious meal that contains 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance of necessary nutrients. For parents, the program offers a convenient method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest possible price. For schools, the program enhances children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class.

What type of lunch must be offered?

The USDA School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children emphasizes our national health responsibility to provide healthy school meals that are consistent with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), the calorie goals and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

What is involved in daily operations of the National School Lunch Program?

The lunch program must be open to all enrolled children. Free or reduced price meals must be provided to those children who qualify for such benefits according to specified household size and income standards. Agency staff must verify income on a percentage of those receiving free or reduced price lunches to confirm their eligibility. Records must be kept to document that the lunch program follows all federal and state rules and regulations.

What Types of Agencies May Participate?

Public and private nonprofit schools are eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program. Also eligible are public and private nonprofit licensed residential child care institutions (e.g., group homes, juvenile halls).

Reimbursement

Agencies that participate in the program are reimbursed from two sources: the United States Department of Agriculture and the State of Iowa. State reimbursement is paid for all meals until allocated funds are depleted. Federal reimbursement is paid for all meals served and claimed according to regulations. The National School Lunch Program is operated on a reimbursement basis, with agencies reimbursed on the number of meals served by eligibility type.

Resources for Food Service Staff

Sample inventory records and staffing guidelines.

icon Lunch Form for SMI Records (2006-06-14)

icon Inventory Records (2006-06-14)

icon Sample Staffing Guidelines for On-Site Production (2007-03-13)

Menu Production Work Sheets

Sample food production record for a variety of menus and grade levels. USDA requires daily food production records.

icon Daily Salad Bar Food Production Record (2006-06-14)

icon Multi_Day Food Bar Production Record (2006-09-12)

icon RCCI Food Production Record (2006-06-14)

icon Menu Production Two Grade Levels (2006-06-14)

icon Menu Production Three Grade Levels (2006-06-14)

Resources for Administrators

The information in this section includes primarily forms, memos, and instructions for other program specific document used frequently by administrators.
Additional resources for administrators can be found in the Nutrition Program Learning Tools Section.

FY08 School Meal Programs Documents
The following documents are for use after July 1, 2007 for the 2007-08 school year. Applications materials are to be distributed at or near the beginning of the school year.

Iowa Eligibility Application Instructions Iowa Eligibility Application Instructions

Iowa Eligibility Application Iowa Eligibility Application

Parent Letter Parent Letter

Assurance Statement Form Assurance Statement Form

FY08 Income Guidelines FY08 Income Guidelines

Ethnic Racial Form Ethnic Racial Form

Notification Form Sample Prototype Notification Form Sample Prototype

icon Application for Waiver of Confidentiality Sample (Prototype IX) (2006-06-14)

Food Assistance Outreach Poster Food Assistance Outreach Poster


Verification Information
USDA requires School Food Authorities(SFAs) participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program to verify 3% of the households that have applied for free or reduced price meal benefits.

icon Letter to Households USDA Verification Selection for Letters to Households (Prototype III) 07 (2006-09-12)

icon Letter to Households USDA Verification Selection for Letters to Households (Prototype III) (2006-09-12)

Verification with Civil Right Presentation Verification with Civil Right Presentation

Reauthorization 2004
Public Law 108-265, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 made a number of changes to the Child Nutrition programs: National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, Child and Adult Care Food Care Program, and Summer Food Service Program. For detailed information on reauthorization visit USDA's web site at:

www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/lunch/

hawk-i Information
hawk-i is the State's medical insurance program for children. School Food Authorities are allowed to share free and reduced price meal eligibility information with Medicaid and hawk-i.

icon hawk_i Dec 2003 Memo (2006-06-14)

Iowa Eligibility Application and Verification Training Session
A presentation on how to complete the Iowa Eligibility Application and Verification.
Iowa Eligibility Application and Verification Training Presentation Iowa Eligibility Application and Verification Training Presentation

Electronic Direct Certification
This presentation describes the new process for Electronic Direct Certification.

Electronic Direct Certification Presentation Electronic Direct Certification Presentation

Homeless Children in the School Nutrition Program
Students that are identified as homeless by the Homeless Liaison are eligible for free meals.

icon Homeless children in SNP (2006-06-14)


Forms
USDA requires accurate daily meal counts. The Edit Record and the Self-Monitoring Form for On-site reviews are tools to ensure accurate reporting.

icon Edit Record for Meal Counts Individual Bldg (2006-06-14)

icon Self Monitoring Form for Onsite Reviews (2006-06-14<