Tuesday Morning - November 30, 2021 An Update on Federal and State Policy Issues from SNATable of Contents COVID-19 Policy Updates Your Input Is Needed on Supply Chain Disruptions Federal Policy Registration Now Open for #LAC22 FY2022 Appropriations Status USDA Invests $32 Million to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain FY2022 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) State Snapshots New York Food Waste Bill Mark Your Calendars Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions Impacting Your School District Opportunities for School Meals Procurement and Flexibilities During Supply Chain Disruptions Using Research to Connect the Dots Between You and Your Lawmaker Mystery Chat Corner COVID-19 Policy Updates Your Input Is Needed on Supply Chain Disruptions Has your school nutrition program been impacted by supply chain disruptions? As SNA members nationwide struggle with ongoing supply chain challenges, the Association continues to advocate on your behalf, urging the USDA and the White House to provide support and regulatory relief. We are also working to connect members with new ideas and strategies for managing the impact of these disruptions on school meal programs. We need your input! SNA is asking members to share strategies for coping with and minimizing supply chain challenges. We invite you to share your best practices using this SNA form. "These days, three out of five lunches are not what her staff originally planned,” says Donna Martin, nutrition director for the Burke County (Ga.) school district. Students may not know that Martin has been to four Walmarts to round up the yogurt for breakfast smoothies or that she drove 75 miles recently to pick up sugar she cannot get now from her regular distributors. Read more. Federal Policy Registration Now Open for #LAC22 “A New Era in School Nutrition” equals opportunities for change! Attend SNA’s 2022 Legislative Action Conference (LAC), March 6-8, 2022, at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C. to build and grow relationships that will shape federal school nutrition policies. Register now! FY2022 Appropriations Status On October 1, the U.S. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution, a short-term government funding bill, keeping federal agencies open and funded at current levels through December 3. To avoid a government shutdown, Congress has until December 3 to pass either another Continuing Resolution or a FY2022 Appropriations bill. USDA Invests $32 Million to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain On November 22, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the investment of $32 million in grants awarded to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. FY2022 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) USDA's fiscal year (FY) 2022 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now available. The solicitation will remain open until 11:59 p.m. ET on January 10, 2022. The RFA includes priority scoring incentives for applicants who meet certain criteria, including priority consideration for applications from Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) and entities led and staffed by Native Americans and serving Native American communities. Back to the top State Snapshots New York Food Waste Bill S3222 enacts the State and Local Government Good Waste Prevention and Diversion Act. This bill requires facilities, including local education agencies, that are generating excess food waste to take measures to minimize waste. Mark Your Calendars School Nutrition Association Webinars Learn about hot topics in school nutrition and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with SNA’s popular professional development webinars. If you missed a particular webinar, catch up with SNA’s on-demand webinars. Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions Impacting Your School District 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Join the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) and the School Nutrition Association (SNA) to discuss supply chain disruptions schools are facing. Presenters will discuss how school nutrition directors and school business officials can partner to navigate supply chain disruptions related to school meals and identify proactive communication strategies with parents, students and the local community. Food Research & Action Center Opportunities for School Meals Procurement and Flexibilities During Supply Chain Disruptions 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, December 2, 2021 Join this webinar to hear about policy opportunities to support procurement during the ongoing supply chain disruptions, including ongoing nationwide waivers, emergency procurement and more. Congressional Management Foundation Using Research to Connect the Dots Between You and Your Lawmaker 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Despite the narrative presented by Hollywood screenwriters and the mainstream media, lawmakers are human, too. Before being elected, these politicians have careers, attend school, volunteer and achieve college degrees. This presentation will explore some strategies for using research to help connect the dots between the issues you're advocating for and those on your member's current agenda. Mystery Chat Corner On November 30, 1753, this American author, scientist, and inventor received the Godfrey Copley medal “on account of his curious Experiments and Observations on Electricity.” A: Benjamin Franklin Back to the top