Nourishing News
August 2023 Updates
August 2023 Updates
CACFP Application Info Program Year 2023-2024 (PY 24)
CACFP Renewal Applications for 2023-2024 open in TX-UNPS
CACFP Renewal Applications for 2023-2024 opened in TX-UNPS on July 1, 2023. We recommend submitting your application by the following DUE DATES:
- August 15, 2023, if you were notified that you are a Tier 3 Renewal, and/or if you are a Dual Sponsor (a sponsor of Centers as well as Day Care Homes).
- August 30, 2023, if you are a sponsoring organization, a Tier 2 Renewal, and/or are making significant changes to your previously approved application packet.
- September 1, 2023, if you are an independent center and/or Tier 1 renewal.
Application Tools - CACFP Application Packet Streamlined Checklist
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Checklist has been updated to provide a more streamlined user experience. Use this link for CACFP Application Packet Streamlined Checklist.
CEs Not Renewing
CEs that do not wish to renew their participation must submit a written request to terminate their FND Permanent Agreement by mutual consent no later than September 30 of the current program year. Written notification should be emailed to CACFP.Bops@TexasAgriculture.gov.
CACFP Updates
Remaining COVID-19 Flexibilities and Keep Kids Fed Act Provisions Expired June 30, 2023
All waivers and flexibilities associated with the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and the Keep Kids Fed Act (KKFA) of 2022 expired June 30, 2023. Click here or click the headline for more information.
PY 2023-2024 CACFP Reimbursement Rates Published
The 2023-2024 reimbursement rates for the Child and Adult Care Food Program have been posted on the CACFP Reimbursement Rates page. Note that all Keep Kids Fed Act provisions, including the temporary $0.10 supplemental per meal reimbursement and the provision allowing for Tier II day care home providers to be reimbursed at the Tier I rate, expired June 30, 2023. The new rates reflect an adjustment to the base rate from Program Year (SY) 2022–2023.
New CACFP FAQs Published for Program Year 2023-2024
TDA has published a new set of Frequently Asked Questions for CACFP. The FAQs are published under the Policy News and Updates Module on the CACFP Policy/Handbook page. (Hint: Click the + button next to "Policy News and Updates" to expand the module). Note the CACFP FAQs are now only available on this page. TDA will pin this entry to the top of this Policy Updates and News module and update as required. Please bookmark this page and check back frequently.
Administrative Review (AR)
During an AR, CEs can expect TDA staff to review all records CEs are required to maintain and observe meal service at select sites. Reviews are conducted to determine a CE’s compliance with the program requirements as detailed in the following:
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service and TDA Food and Nutrition CACFP handbooks
- FNS Instruction 796-2, Financial Management – Child and Adult Care Food Program
- The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
- The CE’s Permanent Agreement and amendments (when applicable)
Additionally, during a review, CE compliance with its application and management plan as submitted to TDA is also determined.
COVID-19 Page on SquareMeals.org Retired
With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, TDA has retired its dedicated COVID-19 page. Materials and resources (for example, FAQs and webinar links) have been moved to other locations, as follows:
- FAQs for NSLP/SBP, CACFP, and SFSP are located on those Programs' respective Policy/Handbook SquareMeals pages. Refer to the Policy News and Updates module at the top of the page.
- Links to previous webinars for schools are located here.
- Links to previous webinars for community program operators are located here.
Note that with the expiration of all COVID waivers on June 30, 2023, all intake forms related to waivers have been removed from SquareMeals.org.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
CACFP LIVE: Take the CACFP AR from Mission Impossible to POSSIBLE!
Greetings Agents: The Administrative Review is a comprehensive evaluation of the CACFP. Your mission, should you accept it, is a covert operation. Collect intel on how to prepare for critical areas of review. Elicit tactics for Corrective Action development. “Mission Accomplished” when your management plan keeps your program on track with zero findings. “This message will self-destruct in 5..4..3..2..1.”
Join in to learn and prepare for critical areas of the review process - REGISTER HERE!
Session ID 528762
Wednesday, Aug 9, 2023, 10:00 AM
ICN CACFP 101 Webinar
Managing Your Food Safety Plan- Protecting the health and safety of the children in our care is imperative in a child nutrition program. A solid food safety plan can help ensure that foods are served safely. It documents and organizes your actions to reduce food safety risks. Join us to learn best practices and tips for implementing, managing, and updating food safety plans, as well as proper storage, sanitation, and handling food recalls.
Register HERE
Tuesday, Aug 15, 2023, 02:00 PM
SFSP Updates
Get Ready for Turnip the Beet!
Last chance to apply for the USDA summer program recognition award! Click the link in the title above for a best practice guide. Click here for a link to the nomination form! Submit complete applications to Nutrition@TexasAgriculture.gov by September 1
Now Available! New Food Yields Added to the Food Buying Guide and FBG Mobile App
New yields are now available in the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-based (FBG) Tool and FBG Mobile App! New yield data is available for: individually quick-frozen red beans, frozen diced potatoes, frozen cubed sweet potatoes, brown lentils, and canned black turtle beans. Stay tuned for additional yield data releases coming soon.
New Waiver Allowing Non-Congregate Summer Feeding in Extreme Heat
TDA has received a waiver allowing for non-congregate service at SFSP or SSO outdoor sites experiencing extreme heat. Sites with no alternative, temperature-controlled locations at which to provide congregate summer service must request a waiver for each day the waiver is used, and TDA will verify that a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Warning, or Excessive Heat Watch was issued for the area.
New SFSP Resources and Forms Released
New SFSP resources and forms have been added to the Summer Meals Administration and Forms page. Please review the recently updated FAQs to learn more about how these resources should be used. TDA is in the process of updating the SFSP Supplemental Guide to include these resources.
Resources
Beat the Heat! - Child Activity Sheets
Stay cool and hydrated this summer and use this TDA resource for fun indoor activities! Explore 40 pages of nutrition-based flash cards, counting, and coloring – Download here!
Child Care Center Food Allergy Fact Sheets
The Child Care Center Food Allergy Fact Sheets provide information about all nine major allergens, including: foods and products that may contain allergens, how to read food labels to identify allergens, menu modifications, and food allergy symptoms.
iLearn Back to School Toolbox
Don't miss the extensive list of self-paced, NO-COST online courses on the iLearn Back-to-School Toolbox!
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Your resource for USDA Standardized Recipes for Child Nutrition Programs
Huntsville, TX 77340
936-435-8244
This guidance is not considered all inclusive.
Please see www.squaremeals.org for further guidance.
Note: If TDA makes changes to the website, direct links in this announcement may become void.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This program is funded by USDA.