Category: Nutrition

School nutrition standards to become effective July 1

Federal school nutrition standards adopted in 2010 will become effective on July 1. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA) requires that all foods sold on a school campus outside of the school meal program must meet the Smart Snacks nutrition standards set forth in the interim final rule titled “National School Lunch Program (NLSP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP): Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as required by the HHFKA of 2010.”

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Maine DOE to offer trainings on National School Lunch Program improvements

Maine DOE Child Nutrition Program staff will be offering training sessions this summer to update local school unit nutrition program staff on federal and State improvements to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). A regional training schedule will be available in June and published in the Commissioner’s Update and on the Department’s professional development calendar.

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Portland food service director wins state award

Ron Adams, food service director for the Portland Public Schools, has won the School Nutrition Association (SNA) Outstanding Director of the Year Award for Maine. Adams will be honored at a red carpet awards ceremony in July at SNA’s national conference in Boston.

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Tripp Middle School wins top nutrition award

TURNER – Tripp Middle School is the first middle school in Maine to earn a Gold Medal in the US Department of Agriculture’s HealthierUS School Challenge.

Students and staff at the RSU 52 school were presented the prestigious award last week by USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon at an assembly also attended by Maine DOE’s Gail Lombardi.
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Maine’s 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool programs support tobacco prevention

March 19 marked the 19th annual Kick Butts Day, a nationwide celebration of youth leadership and activism combating tobacco use.

Over 1,400 events took place across the country in cooperation with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, including in Maine where 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool programs stepped-up to help youth educate their peers and communities about the harmfulness of tobacco and the industry’s marketing practices.

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Equipment grants available for Maine food service programs

Maine has received $73,808 in National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant funds. These funds from the United States Department of Agriculture will assist school food authorities (SFAs) in purchasing equipment needed to meet the new nutritional standards for schools as required by the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Continue reading “Equipment grants available for Maine food service programs” →