School Nutrition Newsletter

On May 5, 2022, the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Civil Rights Division issued a memorandum on Bostock v. Clayton County and its application to USDA FNS Programs.

The memorandum informed FNS program recipients that the prohibition of discrimination based on sex in Title IX and the Food and Nutrition Act includes gender identity and sexual orientation.

In short, discrimination on the basis of sex in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The changes impact the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (NDS) and the And Justice for All posters.

What next steps must be taken by program operators?

• Program operators will need to update their Nondiscrimination Statements that reference gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination.

• Program operators should expeditiously review their program discrimination complaint procedures and make any changes necessary to ensure complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation are processed and evaluated as complaints of discrimination on the basis of sex.

Nondiscrimination Statement

All documents, pamphlets, websites, etc. should be updated with the 2022 NDS as follows:

1. Websites must be updated within 90 days of May 5, 2022.

2. Documents, pamphlets, brochures, etc., using the previous NDS must be updated when current supply on hand is exhausted or by September 30, 2023.

3. All new printing must use the 2022 NDS.

And Justice for All Posters (AJFA)

Until the new posters are received, additional guidance is outlined below.

1. Program operators may request the 2019 AJFA posters from the state agency until their supply is exhausted.

2. AJFA posters currently posted must not be removed until replaced with the new poster.

3. The 2019 AJFA poster(s) language should be updated on websites, training presentations and any pending printing of brochures, pamphlets and materials and replaced with the appropriate 2022 version.

4. Once the state agency receives new posters from USDA, Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will distribute them to sponsors. USDA is in the design/printing phase for the new AJFA posters.

5. No request for the new AJFA poster will be necessary.

Questions about Civil Rights can be directed to Maggie Schabel at mschabel@doe.in.gov.

SY22 allocations for Direct Delivered USDA Foods (aka brown box) ended as of Saturday, April 30.

• All School Food Authorities (SFAs) on the Food Distribution Program should check their inventories and ensure that all USDA Foods have been placed on an order form for delivery no later than the SFA’s last delivery period on or before Thursday, June 30.
• As a reminder, any USDA Foods remaining in a school’s inventory from SY22 will be removed and placed into IDOE surplus for distribution to other schools.

IDOE is having a fruit frenzy!

• Fruit has been added to the available surplus list. Sponsors may add any of the available surplus to their school’s inventory. Availability is based on a first come, first served basis.
• As with all other USDA Foods, fruit must be placed on the order form by the SFA’s last delivery period on or before Thursday, June 30.

Professional Development (PD) with IDOE

Spring training isn't just for baseball players and PD with IDOE live webinars are in full swing!

Upcoming topics include:

• Production Records, Thursday, May 12 at 10 a.m.
• After School Snack Program, Tuesday, May 17 at 10 a.m.
• Wellness Policies, Wednesday, May 18 at 10 a.m.

Introduction to School Nutrition Leadership

• IDOE is excited to partner with the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) once again this summer to host the Introduction to School Nutrition Leadership Training.
• This training is geared toward new food service directors or directors with five years or less of experience.

Virtual Options:

• Monday, June 13- Friday, June 17 -- session full
• Monday, July 11-Friday, July 15

In-Person

• Monday June 20- Friday, June 24

Culinary Skills

Virtual

• Join the Culinary Skills for A+ School Meals every day from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. ET throughout May and June for virtual culinary trainings.

In Person- Trainings are filling up fast, register today!

• Throughout July, school nutrition professionals can sign up to attend a five-day, hands-on culinary skills workshop.

To register for any or all of these training opportunities, check out the IDOE trainings webpage under Upcoming Trainings.

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is offering virtual instructor-led training sessions during the summer of 2022. Many topics are scheduled for new child nutrition directors and the list also includes lessons from Introduction to School Nutrition Leadership (ISNL).

These sessions will fill quickly, so don't wait!

Register here.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this newsletter, please contact Gretchen Huntzer at gpentzer@doe.in.gov, call (317) 232-0875, or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20875, or contact Ashley Heller at aheller@doe.in.gov, call (317) 232-0544, or toll-free at 1-800-537-1142 ext. 20544.

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Website: https://www.in.gov/doe/nutrition/
Phone: (317) 232-0850
Twitter: @EducateIN