Dates: July 31, August 1, 2, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
New location:
Devens Common Center
31 Andrews Parkway
Devens, Massachusetts

A three-day program designed for Massachusetts school nutrition professionals to strengthen their knowledge of school nutrition program requirements. Education specialists from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Food and Nutrition Programs will provide essential training on meal benefit issuance, resource management and food service operations.

Click here to Register by July 23, 2018
Cost: $40 per day or $100 for all three days
includes continental breakfast and lunch

July 31 - Meal Benefit Issuance

• Application Renewal
• Direct Certification Process
• Meal Benefit Application Process
• Verification Process — Direct Verification & Paper Process

August 1 - Resource Management

• Meal Counting and Claiming
• Financial Procedures, Reports and Recordkeeping
• Procurement
• Maximizing your USDA Foods Entitlement

August 2 - Food Service Operations Agenda

• School Lunch Meal Pattern
• Using Grains in School Nutrition Programs
• Special Dietary Needs
• School Breakfast Meal Pattern

Registration and Continental Breakfast begin at 7:30 am.

For more information, click here to see the full agendas.

Are you looking to increase your knowledge about and ability to implement the USDA National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs? This training series will provide you with the vital information and skills to improve program operations. Opportunities throughout the year will include both in-person and online sessions. Those who complete seven or more sessions in series will receive recognition at the Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit in May 2019.

All in person sessions will take place at Framingham State University from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm and provides 5.5 hours of professional development. Cost: $40 per session – includes continental breakfast starting at 8:00 a.m. and lunch.

All online sessions will take place via webinar from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. and provides 1.5 hours of professional development. No Cost.

Register Now for Ongoing Sessions

Schedule:

• September 20, 2018
  Back to School Basics — Online
  This online session will review basic back to school reminders including how to submit monthly claims, amend your application, reporting calendar and locating resources available on DESE's Security Portal.
• October 23, 2018
  Keeping it Local — In-Person
  This in-person session will discuss incorporating agriculture and locally procured foods in your National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
• November 15, 2018
  USDA Foods Utilization Check Up — In-Person
  During this in-person session you will discuss your district's USDA Food entitlement usage to date. Identify strategies for maximizing your district's entitlement dollars and develop solutions to issues encountered.
• December 4, 2018
  Hot Topics in Food Safety — In-Person
  During this in-person session, Cindy Rice from Eastern Food Safety will discuss a variety of topics essential to the safety of your school food service operation. Get ready for your Health inspection by reviewing the latest 2013 Massachusetts Food Code as it applies to school meals. Learn strategies to keep your staff and students safe by revisiting your kitchen safety procedures (cuts, burns, and accident prevention), employee sickness and cleaning/sanitizing procedures. Finally, end the day by addressing all your burning questions, school food service challenges and be sure to bring copies of your Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) to participate in a hands on problem solving workshop! This is a great training for groups of managers or staff who want a fresh approach to food safety, directors new to school food service, and districts who are offering after the bell breakfast model.
• January 15, 2019
  Engaging Your Community in School Wellness — Online
  During this online session, you will learn about how to foster a culture and climate surrounding school wellness within your community.  We will begin by examining the federal and state regulations surrounding local school wellness committees and policies.  We will also delve into the assessments of school wellness in Massachusetts.  After exploring wellness initiatives from across the Commonwealth, participants will receive resources and best practices to assist districts with implementing wellness initiatives within their own communities.
• February 12, 2019
  Three Bids and a Buy — Online
  In this online session, we will cover procurement reminders as you prepare to procure products for SY19/20.
• March 21, 2019
  Production Records, Recipes, CN Labels, & Product Formulation Statements — In-Person
  This in-person session will review production records, standardized recipes, using and finding CN labels, and Product Formulation Statements. Participants will leave the training with the necessary strategies and information to incorporate these topics into their operation.
• April 11, 2019
  Afterschool Meals — Online
  In this online session, we will review the eligibility and requirements for Afterschool Meals program including schools that operate an extended school day.
• May 2019
  Celebration/Recognition at the Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit.
  Additional registration and cost required.

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in cooperation with the John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition and the School Nutrition Association of Massachusetts.