Janey Thornton, PhD, SNS Deputy Under Secretary of USDA/Food, Nutrition & Consumer Services...

Janey Thornton, PhD, SNSJaney Thornton, PhD, SNSDeputy Under Secretary of USDA/Food, Nutrition & Consumer ServicesWashington, DC

NETWORKING LUNCHEON NETWORKING LUNCHEON “UPDATE FROM USDA”“UPDATE FROM USDA”

School Meal School Meal ProgramsPrograms: :

Changes, Changes, Challenges and Challenges and OpportunitiesOpportunities

CNIC 2013Janey Thornton, PhD, SNS

Deputy Under Secretary FNCS

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

Overview

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Up until now……..

National School Lunch Act

Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act

Transition Year

New Meal Patterns6-Cent CertificationMedia and PressOutreach 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 2012-13 Will reassess for year 2013-14

and forward

USDA Foods

More fruits and vegetablesMore whole grains

Less sodiumLess sugarLess fat

New criteria released and began July 1, 2012

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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 2012. 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

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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…..

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Thank You!

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Thank You!

Questionsjaney.thornton@osec.usda.gov