THE HCS CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM
NEWSLETTER JULY 2024
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Greetings!
The 2024 Summer Food Service program ended on June 27, 2024. We want to thank our incredible staff for making the program a great success and all the families that participated this year. Providing meals to young people and special needs children and adults gives us a strong sense of giving back to the Huntsville community. Our efforts also help to alleviate any concerns from parents regarding feeding their children during the days when school is not in session. We are excited to execute this program again during 2025 and further provide support to the City of Huntsville. We do not take for granted our obligation to provide meals to those populations who need them the most. We hope your summer has been very special and peaceful. See you all next summer!
-H. Ward
Inspirational Quote of the Month
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Come join the Team!
CNP Worker
- CNP Supervisor
- CNP Supervisor (Itinerant)
Thank You to our 2024 Summer Food Service Program Staff!!
DID YOU KNOW?
Breakfast can set healthful tone for the day, RDs say
While eating nutritious foods throughout the day is the ultimate goal, registered dietitians agree that breakfast can help start the day on a healthful note, and they offer several breakfast ideas to help. Protein, healthful fats and fiber figure prominently in their menu suggestions, which include overnight oats, Greek yogurt, frittatas and toast. Additionally, RD Julia Zumpano says it is safe to eat eggs every day.
Full Story: Parade (7/14)Improved dietary scores seen for US children
A research letter published in JAMA Pediatrics found that dietary quality scores among US children improved overall from 2005 to 2020, with increases in most diet adequacy components, including total vegetables and whole grains, except dairy. Researchers noted that the improvement was consistent and stronger among non-Hispanic Black children.
Full Story: HealthDay News (7/16)RD: Coconut water is hydrating, fat-free
Coconut water, or the liquid found inside young coconuts, contains antioxidants and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride, making it a healthful and hydrating beverage, according to registered dietitian Anthea Levi, who distinguishes it from coconut milk, which includes the fleshy part of the coconut and contains fat. Levi suggests using coconut water as a base for smoothies, in iced coffee or freezing into cubes to add to spritzers.
Full Story: Health (7/8)CNP Terminology
Site Cap
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) regulations require state agencies to set limits on the number of meals each approved site may serve to children; this is known as the ‘site cap.’ The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify for state agencies and sponsors the meal disallowance requirements as they relate to site caps. Additionally, this memorandum provides flexibility enabling SFSP sponsors of sites serving meals prepared by food service management companies, known as “vended sites,” to request adjustments when meals are served in excess of site caps at such vended sites. Finally, this memorandum also provides guidance on the use of site caps as a management tool to promote program integrity for all sites. This memorandum is effective for SFSP activities beginning in summer 2015 and supersedes SFSP 08-2013, Site Caps in the Summer Food Service Program, Jan. 24, 2013.
All SFSP sites are required to have an approved site cap. The purpose of a site cap is to ensure that a site does not purchase and/or produce meals outside the capability of the site and the need of the community, thereby reducing waste and protecting the integrity of the program. State agencies, through the required training provided to sponsors under 7 CFR 225.7(a), and sponsors, through the required training provide to site supervisors under 7 CFR 225.6(e)(1)(6) and 225.15(d)(1), must ensure sponsors and site supervisors are trained and fully understand site caps requirements. This would include clarifying that special events, such as summer kick-off and late-summer back-to-school events, that may result in larger than average participation would require approval of a temporary site cap increase.
School Meal Information
Huntsville City Schools today announced its policy for free and reduced-price meals for children served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Local school officials have adopted the following households and income criteria for determining eligibility:
Children need healthy meals to learn. Huntsville City Schools offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast costs $1.50; lunch costs $2.65. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. The reduced price is $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch.
For the School Year 2024-2025, Huntsville City Schools will continue participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Below are some common questions and answers to help you with the application process.
Please view the attached memo and documents below to view the full announcement and more information from the HCS Child Nutrition Department. Meals
C.A.F.Y. Back to School Bash 2024
The HCS Child Nutrition Program participated in the Community Awareness For Youth (C.A.F.Y.) Back to School Bash Event held at Calhoun Community College on Saturday, July 13, 2024. During this occasion we took the opportunity to provide Huntsville community members with pertinent information regarding school meals and to answer any questions from parents and students. This was a fun occasion and we enjoyed being a part of it.
CNP EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Ms. Leticia Patton, CNP Worker at Jemison High/McNair Jr. High
Ms. Leticia Patton has been employed with the Huntsville City Schools Child Nutrition Program for seven years. She is originally from Harvest, Alabama and she has two children named Landen and Kailyn who attend schools within the Huntsville City School district.
Leticia describes herself as a nice person who is very hardworking and dependable. Before she worked in the Child Nutrition Program, Letica was employed at Cinram.
Leticia states that the children she serves, and her coworkers are what she likes most about her job. She also shares that her secret talents are that she can crochet and praise dance. When She is not working, Letica says that she loves to spend time with her kids and spend money.
Lecticia’s favorite place to go is to her grandparents’ house and she also mentions that her favorite food is Chicken Alfredo. Leticia’s favorite genres of music to listen to are Gospel and R&B. She expresses that if she were not working in the Child Nutrition Program, then she would be in nursing.
Leticia’s hobbies include reading, online shopping, and taking naps. Her favorite sport is NFL football, and she roots for the New Orleans Saints. Leticia hopes to one day travel to another country and in the next five years plans to make more memories with her children. Leticia’s words to live by are actions speak louder than words.
BIRTHDAYS
Gail Henriksen 7/2
Dernia McComb 7/3
Tyrone Barton 7/4
Derrick Butler 7/6
Leticia Patton 7/6
Marilyn Hart 7/8
Latisha Hardin 7/9
Shirley Dixon 7/12
Norma Martin 7/17
Kim Ferguson 7/18
Ruby Eady 7/20
Vickie McCrary 7/20
Rhonda Butler 7/23
Ronald Ryce 7/28
Gladys Sandifer 7/29
Angie Phillips 7/30
Tequisha Pendleton 7/31
SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES
Leticia Patton 7 years
Vickie McCrary 10 years
CONTACT US!
Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/departments/child-nutrition-program
Location: 200 White Street Southeast, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: 256 428-6955
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillecitycnp
Twitter: @HUNTSVILLECITY1
Child Nutrition Program Director for Huntsville City Shcools