Press Play

OCTOBER 2022

"The rain, it ain't permanent
And soon, we'll be dancin' in the sun"

Better Days

-Dermot Kennedy

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There are several options:

• Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) funds
• P-EBT funds
• USDA Foods delivery fee reimbursement (Region 1) download

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Verification Timeline

This year, the Verification Report is due on November 23. Find the complete timeline here. Grab verification resources here.

NEW! FSMC Contract Review Form

TDA has made some changes to the onsite monitoring form required quarterly for CEs that contract with an FSMC. Find the latest version here.

FSMC New Contract and Renewal Submission Process Training

TDA is conducting training for FSMC contracts for school districts on October 18, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., and October 20, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The training includes a live Q&A. Register for one or the other by clicking the dates above.

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Struggling to make heads or tails of allowable and unallowable costs for the P-EBT grant? Here are some examples:

Allowable reimbursable costs under this grant include:

1. Limited Salaries of Personnel: Limited salaries not paid for through a federal grant to administer P-EBT
   Examples include staff time processing applications used solely for P-EBT eligibility, providing data for P-EBT purposes, or providing technical assistance to families on P-EBT.
   A budget transfer must be completed for expenses typically paid out of the school food service account, such as partial salaries.
2. Systems: Cost for computer software systems specifically designed to support P-EBT activities
3. Equipment: Equipment such as business equipment and furniture used to implement P-EBT activities
4. Support services/contracts: Contracted services used to implement P-EBT activities, such as outreach and eligibility services
5. Supplies: Supplies such as office supplies and paper used to implement P-EBT activities
6. Indirect Costs: Indirect costs such as printing costs, rent, utilities, or other indirect costs used to implement P-EBT activities

Unallowable costs include expenses that are

1. Not necessary or responsible for the administration of FY22 P-EBT
2. Already reimbursed under another Federal award
3. Incurred for earlier iterations of P-EBT (such as benefits issued in Summer 2020, SY 20-21, or Summer 2021)

Remember, if you are already using CN or other federal funds to pay staff time or other expenses, you can’t then also reimburse using the P-EBT funds.

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The second round of SCA funds is available. Click the link to check out the award list. This form will show what your district needs to do. If the form states your attestation was received, you opted into funding, and you checked "no" to the exemption form, then you do not have to take any action.

You will need to fill out the exemption form if the award list states that you need to. (Exemption Form)

• Must opt-in by October 24: Attestation Form
• SCA FAQ

COOL TOOLS

• USDA's Food Safety Emergency Response Pocket Guide (English and Spanish)
• USDA's Offer Versus Serve Materials
• USDA's Whole Grain Resource
• CACFP Autumn Activity Page

FARM-TO-SCHOOL GRANTS

• Budding Botanist Grant
• Reaching for Excellence (RFE) in Texas School Health Grant
• Healthy Choices Grants

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FOOD PRODUCTION RECORDS 101

A production record is a working tool that outlines the type and quantity of foods that need to be purchased and available for the meal service. Production records must show how the offered meals contribute to the required food components, and food quantities for each meal served to each grade group every day.

Resources:

• Squaremeals FPR training

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• Verification Reminders
• Verification Letters and Resources on SquareMeals

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OCTOBER 11-15

National School Lunch Week (NSLW)

OCTOBER 29

The official count of enrolled students and free/reduced eligibility is due.

OCTOBER 31

Attachment B Uploads are due

NOVEMBER 1

Summer Mandate Waiver available

NOVEMBER 5

Complete TX-ELMS Direct Certification Matching

NOVEMBER 15

Complete verification process

NOVEMBER 19

Farm Fresh Challenge documentation is due.

NOVEMBER 23

Verification Report due

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• School Year 22-23 Menu Calendar Templates on SquareMeals
• Administrative Review Resources on our website

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OCTOBER 27

MONTHLY REWIND WEBINAR

NOVEMBER 11

MONTHLY REWIND WEBINAR

DECEMBER 6

FARM FRESH SUMMIT

DECEMBER 7

THE ABCs OF USDA FOODS (IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL)

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Email: padams@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/childnutrition
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7545
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC11ChildNutrition

PA 10.12.22 JK 10.12.22 BM 10.13.22