News and Announcements

The FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory for certain Similac brand or Elecare powdered infant formulas. More information is available at: FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022) | FDA.  Please share this information as appropriate.  While FDA is the Federal regulatory agency responsible for ensuring the safety of infant formula, FNS is committed to working collaboratively with the FDA to ensure that FNS stakeholders receive timely and relevant information. FNS will provide additional information to State agencies as this situation develops.

Payments are being disbursed to all eligible institutions including CACFP Sponsoring Organizations, Independent Centers and Family Day Care Homes. Eligibility is limited to those programs who have maintained their Child Nutrition Program participation by filing valid meal claims or have provided assurance to the State Agency that they will file a claim during the first 90 days after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. All eligible programs with their qualifying amount were previously notified based on the loss in reimbursement during the months of March – June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please be sure to watch your accounts for this direct deposit or payment sent by U.S. Mail.  The funds are expected to be used in the food service operation of your program.  A follow-up survey will be distributed at a later time requesting a summary of the use of the program funds.

USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative invites you to join us in celebrating National Nutrition Month® and School Breakfast Week by sharing Team Nutrition resources with schools, families, and children. Free printed materials are available to order for Team Nutrition Schools while supplies last.

Materials include:

• Launch Your Day with Breakfast Stickers
• MyPlate Nate and Kate Stickers
• Make Today a Try-Day! Stickers
• Discover New Foods Decal Set (for elementary schools)
• Fueling My Healthy Life Decal Set (for secondary schools)
• Stronger with School Meals Educational Materials
  • An Infographic for teachers and parents (in English and Spanish)
  • An Activity Booklet for elementary-aged students
  • Five stickers for students
  • Two buttons for school nutrition professionals

This is a reminder that the CNP On-line application is your management plan and must be kept up to date at all times. https://nutrition.education.ne.gov/Splash.aspx

You are encouraged to review the on-line application/management plan to ensure NDE has the most current information for your program.  If you have a new responsible individual or new key CACFP staff, please be sure to update the online application packet.  If you are the new responsible individual, NDE must have a new Certificate of Authority  on file and you are required to attend the all-day training. Please contact NDE for further guidance.

For a memo explaining updates to the Federal Micro-Purchase Threshold in 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1). The memo alerts State agencies and Program operators of regulatory changes made by the Office of Management and Budget (USDA does not have authority) to the Federal Micro-purchase threshold in government-wide regulations found at 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1). The guidance applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Find fun activities with research-based education and training resources designed to support CACFP professionals. Find the latest ICN Mealtime Memo highlighting “building up our immunity” with healthy nutrition choices and ways to keep kids active with music.

Subscribe to the Mealtime Memos monthly e-newsletter on the main webpage at https://theicn.org/cacfp

The National Child Nutrition Conference is the premier annual event held by the National CACFP Sponsors Association, bringing together professionals from child care centers, home providers, sponsoring organizations, school districts, afterschool programs, Head Start programs, Food Banks, tribal nations and State Agencies.

See link below for conference details and scholarship opportunities:

https://www.cacfp.org/conference/

USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative is excited to announce the release of the Meal Components web quiz, now available at fns.usda.gov/tn/quizzes/meal-components. This quiz focuses on meal components and meal pattern requirements for all Child Nutrition Programs. It is the latest addition to the collection of Team Nutrition web quizzes that cover a variety of nutrition topics, available at fns.usda.gov/tn/quizzes. Additional quizzes will be released throughout Fall and Winter 2021-2022. These interactive quizzes can be used at trainings. Upon completion of each 10-question quiz, quiz takers receive a score along with a link to resources that can help expand their knowledge on the topic and build their nutrition skills. Quiz takers can also view a printable version of the questions and answers upon quiz completion.

A recently translated course is available for Spanish speaking child nutrition professionals working in your program: https://theicn.docebosaas.com/learn/course/external/view/elearning/199/derechos-civiles-en-los-programas-de-nutricion-infantil

Other ICN training opportunities: https://theicn.org/icn-ilearn/ 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some CACFP operators are facing supply chain disruptions including product shortages, unexpected substitution of food products, and unanticipated cancelation of food and supply contracts. USDA memo information.  Please know that this memo gives State Agencies and sponsors the discretion to provide technical assistance in lieu of fiscal action when they observe non-compliance related to meal pattern requirements.  It is expected that sponsors continue with good faith efforts to meet the meal pattern requirements.  It is recommended that the sponsor contact at least one additional vendor to find the product that was not available by the general supplier. If the food component cannot be made available in time to serve the meal, the efforts made must be documented with the date, time and the vendors that were contacted to show that the “good-faith” efforts were made by your staff to try and meet the meal pattern for that meal. This flexibility is only in effect during the public health emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services requests your assistance in spreading the word about the Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program as some of your parents/caregivers may be eligible.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program makes available funds to assist Nebraska households, subject to income qualifications, that are unable to pay rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Nebraska anticipates operating the ERA Program until funding is no longer available from the U.S. Treasury, or until September 30, 2022.

We encourage you and your parents/caregivers to visit the State of Nebraska’s website at coronavirus.nebraska.gov for more information and how to apply.  You may also call the contact center at (833) 500-8810 for more information from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5PM Central Time