School nutrition programs across the Commonwealth have been hard at work in a time when supply chain shortages and labor shortages are at an all-time high. Check out the recent news and resources in support of school meals.
School food service teams across the state are working tirelessly to provide healthy meals every day, adjust on the fly, and substitute items as needed to ensure all students receive the nutrition they need, while facing national supply chain shortages.
To help assist with ways to communicate to families about ongoing supply chain challenges, accommodating meal modifications, promoting staff appreciation and free school meals, the Child Nutrition Outreach Program at Project Bread has developed a new suite of social media caption suggestions and new social media graphics that can be used on your school nutrition social media accounts.
Groundbreaking news was announced on Friday, December 17th by the USDA. They will be providing $1.5 billion of Supply Chain Assistance Funds (SCA) to school districts to purchase food and strengthen school meal programs. Massachusetts will be receiving $17.8 million which will be allocated through a predetermined formula.
Project Bread has also paired with anti-hunger partners and allies to initiate the Feed Kids Campaign that will be a state-wide legislative campaign to support School Meals for ALL Massachusetts students. The bill is designed to allow free school meals to all students and the hearing with the Joint Committee on Education is scheduled for January 4, 2022. You can read more about the bill on ProjectBread.org.
Lastly, New England Dairy is pleased to announce a funding opportunity from MA Dairy Farmers to eligible schools in MA to support food service needs related to expanding school meal programs or serving new dairy menu items.
New for 2022: Schools can apply for a turn-key smoothie kit. Visit NewEnglandDairy.com for details. Deadline 1/15/2022.
