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Reminders from Region 4 CN

What's new in school nutrition

Reminders fromRegion 4 CNWhat's new in school nutrition

📢 ACTION ITEMS

1. Texas Summer Mandate Form – Due in TX-UNPS by January 31, 2025

    1. School Food Authorities (SFAs) that are mandated must submit their intent to operate a summer feeding program (SSO, SFSP or Partner with another SFA) or submit a waiver seeking approval to opt out of the mandated requirement to offer a summer meal program.
    2. Intent form and waiver found in TX-UNPS under Applications > Texas Summer Mandate

Reminders ⏰

USDA Foods Feedback Survey Webinar - Friday, December 20, 1:00-2:00PM

1. The USDA Foods ordering team is holding open discussions with schools over the results of the USDA Foods Feedback survey.
2. This will cover the anticipated materials available to request in round 1 for direct delivery coming into the warehouse for Program Year 2026. Discussion will include the results based off the collective feedback schools serviced by each contracted warehouse provided in the survey and how that impacted on the materials chosen to be offered.

USDA Foods Entitlement Distribution for SY 26

1. The estimated entitlement for NSLP PY26 is now viewable in WBSCM. You may run an entitlement summary report utilizing program year 2026 to see this balance.

  • The current rate of assistance published by USDA is 0.30 cents per meal. In January 2025, the rate of assistance will be updated by USDA to reflect the final adjustments anticipated for program year 2026.
2. Ensure you have an active WBSCM Login

  • All WBSCM logins will use Login.gov credentials, as the eAuth User ID is no longer valid.
3. If you opted into the DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetables program you will also see your allocation set aside that will be loaded into FFAVORS for school year 2026 at the beginning of the program year.

Final Rule Resources

  1. Visit the USDA site here for information about upcoming changes.
  2. Survey – USDA Resources and Support needs

Updated Training Guide “Offering Meat and Meat Alternates at School Breakfast”

  1. Schools have the option to offer grains, meats/meat alternates, or a combination of both at breakfast.
  2. Available from Team Nutrition here

📚 RESOURCES

Revised Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs

    1. The Food Buying Guide (FBG) has been updated to reflect the Final Rule “Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”
    2. Resources available here

USDA Crediting in Child Nutrition Program Sheets

    1. The Crediting in the Child Nutrition Program Tip Sheets have been updated to reflect the changes with the Final Rule, “Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”
    2. Resources available here.

Texas Automated Nutrition System (TANS) to Replace TX-UNPS Beginning in Program Year 2026 – updated Systems Hub page

    1. Program sponsors, ESC users, and TDA staff will administer nutrition programs through TANS, including management of applications, claims, monitoring and compliance, reporting and other administrative functions
    2. Visit the TANS page here

New Systems Hub on SquareMeals.org

    1. Food and Nutrition created a consolidated webpage - Systems Hub - to assist entities in navigating to the pages more easily and quickly accessing TX-UNPS and WBSCM information, training, and the systems
    2. Available at www.squaremeals.org/Systems

USDA Foods/ WBSCM Information

If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please contact us at:


✉️ ChildNutrition@esc4.net


☎️: 713.744.8162


🌐 www.esc4.net/nutrition

Region 4 Child Nutrition
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.