Food and Nutrition Programs

School Meals Communication Plan for School Year 2024-2025

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE), Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) strives to communicate clearly and consistently with operators of Child Nutrition Programs to support program compliance and the sharing of best practices. In School Year 2024-2025 FNP is providing a variety of learning opportunities for School Food Authorities (SFAs) operating the National School Lunch Program, National School Breakfast Program and Afterschool Snack Program (School Meals). Please review the schedules below that will run from August 2024 to June 2025 and register for Tuesdays at 2 to stay current and connect with the school meal community.

Tuesdays at 2

DESE as a Partner: Workshop Wednesdays

FNP is hosting in person workshops for School Nutrition Professionals in School Year 2024-2025. These workshops are project based and provide an opportunity to network with members of FNP and other School Nutrition Professionals who have shared goals.

• These workshops are available at no cost.
• All events will be held at DESE's Office at 135 Santilli Highway, Everett MA.
• There is ample parking available along with a cafeteria with working space for those who wish to avoid traveling in high traffic times.
• Participants may be required to complete the prescribed eLearning before attending in person.
• Public Wi-Fi will be available, and bringing your own laptops is encouraged. (laptops are not available onsite)
• Thirty days prior to the event a member of the Nutrition Education team will reach out to confirm your registration and share any pre-work / agendas for the day.

Request Registration for individual events:

• September 25^th, Farm to School: Open to any district or CACFP operator interested in farm to school and food literacy success stories and celebration ideas for National Farm to School Month in October.
• October 23^rd, Program Integrity Intensive (Invite Only): An invitation only opportunity for districts to receive custom support around school meal program operations. Learn in a small group setting ways to overcome common barriers to compliance and brainstorm opportunities to make your program shine!
• December 4^th, Food Service Management Company Template: Opportunity for district staff to discuss the procurement process for Food Service Management Companies.
• January 29^th, Making your own cycle menu: Open to any district who would like to develop a compliant and streamlined cycle menu.
• March 5^th, USDA foods ordering: Open to any district who would like support making entitlement selections and entering orders into the security portal.
• April 30^th, New Director Orientation: Open to any Food Service Director or Business Manager who is new to their role or changed districts in the past 5 years.

Due to space limitations requests for registration will be accepted at any point before the event. Direct invitations to register will be sent 30 days prior to each event and confirmed on a first come, first served basis.

Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs, Compliance-Focused eLearning

Through our partnership with the John C Stalker Institute, we are expanding and improving our eLearning catalog on program compliance, outlined below. Stay tuned for new releases of interactive eLearning courses through Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs On Demand.

Our current eLearning Catalog in Nuts and Bolts of School Nutrition Programs - Continuation Series hosts 18 hours of recorded presentations on program compliance. Every presentation awards a certificate and professional standards hours.

Administration and Communication

• NSLP Renewal Application
• Returning Director
• New Director Assistance
• Increasing Access and Engagement Through Afterschool Meals
• School Wellness: It's Everyone's Responsibility
• Residential Child Care Centers - Serving Meals in a Group Home Setting

Counting and Claiming

• Meal Counting and Claiming
• Claims Processing
• Meal Charge Policies

Civil Rights

• Civil Rights Complaint Process
• Creating a Civil Rights Complaint Policy Inclusive of School Meals
• Communicating Program Access to Your Community

Financial Management

• Procurement
• Financial Management: Procedures, Budgeting, and Analysis
• Financial Management: Paid Lunch Equity, Non-Program Foods & Indirect Costs
• Buy American Provision
• Preparing for 23/24 Procurements
• Navigating Procurement Challenges in Farm to School
• Procurement Review from Start to Finish

Meal Access

• Direct Certification Process
• Meal Benefit Application Process
• Verification Process, Direct Verification & The Paper Process
• Completing the 742R Report
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Series

Meal Pattern

• Snack Meal Pattern
• School Lunch Meal Pattern
• School Breakfast Program
• Serving Whole Grains and Serving Gluten Free Meals
• Production Records from Start to Finish
• Special Meal Accommodations

USDA Foods

• USDA Foods: Maximizing Your USDA Dollars

For any questions related to these resources please contact Denise Courtney at 781-338-6467 or by email at Denise.Courtney@mass.gov . You will receive confirmation of your registration via email and will be prompted to save the events in an electronic calendar for easy access to login.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.