Janey Thornton, PhD, SNS Deputy Under Secretary of USDA/Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services Washington, DC NETWORKING LUNCHEON “UPDATE FROM USDA”

School Meal Programs : Changes, Challenges and Opportunities CNIC 2013 Janey Thornton, PhD, SNS Deputy Under Secretary FNCS 2

 Communication  Up until now  Transition year  Challenges  Communication  Opportunities  And beyond….  Communication Overview 3

Up until now…….. National School Lunch Act Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act

Transition Year  New Meal Patterns  6-Cent Certification  Media and Press  Outreach  Communication

Challenges……….  Uncertainties  Pressures  Frustrations  Fears  Changes  Time  Money  Staffing  ………..

New Guidance Grains and Proteins  Responds to immediate issues  Maintains integrity  Calorie threshold remains  Minimums remain  Added flexibility  For remainder of  Will reassess for year and forward

USDA Foods More fruits and vegetables More whole grains Less sodium Less sugar Less fat

New criteria released and began July 1,

And Coming Soon

Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in Schools Apply to food items available for sale on the school campus throughout the school day In developing standards, USDA must consider: ▫ Scientific recommendations for standards ▫ Existing voluntary standards for beverages and snack foods ▫ Existing State and local standards ▫ Practical application of the standards ▫ Exemptions for infrequent school-sponsored fundraisers Status: Proposed Rule under development Hopefully out in next few months

Professional Standards for School Foodservice Personnel USDA will publish a Proposed Rule in 2013 that establishes criteria and standards for: ▫ States to use in the selection of State agency directors ▫ Minimum education, training and certification for school food service directors ▫ Minimum periodic training criteria to maintain school foodservice director certification ▫ Annual training and certification for local foodservice personnel Task Force meeting March Attendees (65) included: ▫ State Agency Staff ▫ Child Nutrition Directors from various size school systems ▫ Local Child Nutrition Manager ▫ School Superintendant ▫ Food Industry ▫ Associations ▫ Government

And in Addition………………….Regulation (SMARRT)  New administrative review process  New breakfast meal pattern implementation  Community eligibility  Direct certification emphasis  Local wellness policy strengthened  Meal charge policies  Child Nutrition integrity rule 13

Communication  National Regional State District School  Industry Issues  Gossip Games  Changes  Media  Politics  Training

Recognize challenges Work together Don’t believe the rumor mill Share challenges AND recognize successes Stay POSITIVE Don’t forget why we’re all here Communicate, Communicate, Communicate And Going Forward….. 15

Thank You! 16 Thank You! Questions