In order to implement additional mandates by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published the Smart Snacks in School standards for all foods sold in school outside the school meals programs. These are practical, science-based standards for foods sold in vending machines and à la carte lines — standards that make the healthy choice the easy choice for students.
Continue reading “Prepare for Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards”
The Maine School Nutrition Association in partnership with the Maine DOE is seeking to honor school nutrition professionals who have achieved 20 years or more of service feeding the children of Maine. Awards are given out starting with 20 years of service in five year increments. The honorees are given certificates of appreciation, and those who have served 25 or more years receive pins.
Continue reading “School nutrition service nominations sought”
AUGUSTA – With the start of school fast approaching, the Maine Department of Education is releasing the criteria for students to qualify for free or reduced school meals and milk for the 2013-14 school year.
Continue reading “School lunch, milk eligibility criteria set”
Update 9/10/13: The introduction/overview of the Maine DOE school nutrition programs has been canceled. Department staff will contact registrants to make other arrangements.
Maine DOE School Nutrition Programs staff will be offering a four-hour introduction/overview of the team’s nutrition-related programs, including the School Breakfast Program, Lunch Program, Afterschool Snack Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Summer Food Service Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Program.
Continue reading “Update: Introduction of school nutrition programs canceled”
Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen and USDA’s Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon presented the award at a school assembly Friday and recognized the state as a national leader in creating healthy school environments
Continue reading “Mount Desert Elementary honored with Maine’s first top health excellence award”
USDA’s Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon and Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen will present the award at a school assembly Friday
NORTHEAST HARBOR – The Mount Desert Elementary School will become the first in Maine honored with a Gold Medal of Distinction from the HealthierUS School Challenge.
The Maine DOE Child Nutrition Department’s first Summer Food Service Program Summer Summit, held March 13, drew 84 attendees from all counties in Maine. At the event, the program sponsors shared best practices, outreach stories and creative resources.
Continue reading “First summer food service summit a success”
Maine DOE Child Nutrition Services is seeking organizations to sponsor the federally funded Summer Food Service Program to provide children healthy meals when school is not in session. Federally funded school breakfasts and lunches help thousands of low-income children in Maine get nutritious meals during the school year.
Continue reading “Seeking organizations to feed children this summer”
Maine currently has 109 districts whose menus have been certified, putting the state at a little over 50 percent complete. Performance-based certification not only ensures that your district is meeting the mandatory, new, healthier meal pattern, but also gives the district an additional six-cents per reimbursable lunch claimed. For some districts, this can mean thousands of additional dollars for the program each year.
Continue reading “Check district’s menu certification and performance-based reimbursement”
The USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a grant to provide fruits and vegetables to students during the school day, aside from breakfast and lunch times. Maine schools have until Friday, March 30, to request applications to apply for the program. This program is only for grades PreK-8.
Continue reading “Submit application for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants”
Maine DOE Newsroom 