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Nutrition Assistance Programs 
NOTICE ...

Try clicking on the tabs below to view Important A.R. Guidance: 
"2021-2022 NSLP-SBP Compliance Reviews" - click tab below

"Local Wellness Policy" - click tab below

 

Check your Weekly Commodity Bulletin EVERY Tuesday and Thursday (TX-UNPS) 

Save the Date! - 2022 Child Nutrition Summer Workshop is planned in the last week of June!  More detailed information to come. In-Person at Region 16! 

January 26, 2022 -  USDA Foods | WTFSC Commodity Processing Meeting for SY 2022-2023 - Session 858017

 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form(opens PDF document), (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint(opens external link in new window), and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW 
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 

2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or 

3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.  

Smart Snacks
FBG

Scott Wilkerson, M.Ed.
Child Nutrition Specialist Team Lead
CN Programs and School Health
Email
806-677-5080

Danna Benge
Administrative Assistant II
Child Nutrition and School Health 
Email
806-677-5082

Christy Brownd, M.Ed.
Child Nutrition Specialist NSLP / NSBP / SSO
Email
806-677-5081

Dee Dee Ortega, M.Ed.
Child Nutrition Specialist CACFP / SFSP 
Email
806-677-5086

Child Nutrition is administered through the Texas Department of Agriculture. TDA supports providers of nutrition assistance by helping ensure accountability and the efficient use of taxpayer dollars to nourish Texans in need. These nutrition programs exemplify "eating right" for Texans of every age and background and help them build a bridge to success. TDA resources are available online @ Squaremeals.org(opens external link in new window).

The Child Nutrition program at Region 16 is a service provided to all school districts throughout the region and is designed to provide information, technical assistance, and support for program compliance, nutrition and management. Assistance is available through workshops, training sessions, and direct on-site contact with child nutrition program personnel and administrators. A major function is the safe, efficient, and effective operation of the school/child nutrition program.  

The Cycle Menu Toolkit was developed through a cooperative effort of Regional Child Nutrition Specialists at Education Service Centers 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

This cycle menu toolkit was developed and produced with federal funds for entities participating in USDA Child Nutrition Programs as a menu planning tool. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means for profit.

These materials and training services are provided through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division (TDA) funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA).

The Cycle Menu Toolkit was developed to assist Contracting Entities (CE) using the meal patterns and nutrition standards prescribed in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 in providing Texas school children with nutritionally-balanced school meals. These school breakfast and lunch meals were designed using a variety of menu items intended to be tasty, student-friendly, colorful, and with consideration given to ease of preparation and production.

The complete toolkit includes PreK-12 Breakfast Menus and a Lunch Menu for PreK, K-8 and 9-12, corresponding food production records, and recipes. Requests for additional information can be submitted to Scott Wilkerson or Christy Brownd.

Food Safety Resources 

Check this page for food safety training information and resources. If your district has any resources that might be helpful to others, please email christy.brownd@esc16.net

Food Safety Training
COVID-19 Food Safety Resources
PY Calendar
PEBT

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) provides food benefits to families with enrolled students (up to 21 years of age) who temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals for the 2020–2021 school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Texas Education Agency (TEA), Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Health and Human Services request that schools attempt to contact eligible families before the application opens June 2, 2021. Thank you for your assistance with the P-EBT program. We appreciate all the work you do to help make sure Texas families have access to food during this time.

To apply, go to yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT (application link is case-sensitive). The application opens June 2. Deadline to apply is Aug. 13, 2021. 

 

P-EBT Resources  on www.squaremeals.org  

P-EBT FLYER

 

Who is Eligible?

  • Students who are certified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
  • Students who attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Provision 2 (P2) school that offers free meals to all students.
  • Children born after Aug. 1, 2014, in families who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021.  

 

Who Needs to Apply?

  • A parent/guardian must apply if eligible student is:
    • Enrolled in K-12 and NOT part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between August 2020 and June 2021.
    • Born on or before Aug. 1, 2014, and is part of a family who received SNAP benefits for the first time during the 2020–2021 school year in May or June 2021.
  • A parent/guardian does not have to apply if eligible student or child is:
    • Born on or before Aug. 1, 2014, and is part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between August 2020 and April 2021. 
    • Born after Aug. 1, 2014, and is part of a family who received SNAP benefits for at least one month between October 2020 and June 2021. 

CACFP, NSLP and Summer Meal Programs Newsletters can be found on the Square Meals Website.

www.squaremeals.org > Programs > National School Lunch Program > Newsletter

Beginning in September 2021, the CACFP Insight, NSLP Newsletter, and Summer In the Loop will transition to a monthly distribution schedule. TDA will be sending newsletters to the email address listed in the CE level application in TX-UNPS, so please ensure your information is up-to-date! 

The newsletters feature critical information for all program operators as well as highlight best practices to help operators stay in compliance with federal regulations, promote participation, and serve nutrition meals.

West Texas Food Service  Cooperative 

The West Texas Food Service Cooperative is a multi-regional service comprised of school districts, charters, and other governmental entities in ESC Regions 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.  The WTFSC operates two components, food purchasing and commodity processing, that assist participating members to administer fiscally sound child nutrition operations while providing appealing, nutritious meals.  Participating members may choose to join one or both components.  There is no fee for participation.

For more information you can click on the logo above for the new West Texas Food Service Cooperative website.

WTFSC
WTFSC Contact Information   
Dorothy Glenn 
Lead Purchasing Specialist
Region 17 Education Service Center
1111 W. Loop 289
Lubbock, Texas 79416
(806) 281-5710
dglenn@esc17.net
Sandra Ramos 
Support Staff
Region 17 Education Service Center
1111 W. Loop 289
Lubbock, Texas 79416
(806) 281-5707
sramos@esc17.net
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