Tuesday Morning - March 2, 2021 An Update on Federal and State Policy Issues from SNATable of Contents COVID-19 Policy Updates FNS Publishes New State Guidance on COVID P-EBT Federal Policy Last Chance to Register for the 49th Legislative Action Conference: March 8-10, 2021 #LAC21 Zoom the Hill: Schedule Your Meeting SNA Submits Comments on Child Nutrition Database SNA Submits Comments on School Meals Operations Study State Snapshots California Presents Two Bills on Expanding School Reimbursements and Funding Iowa Creates Farm to School Fund Michigan Drafts Anti-Lunch Shaming Legislation New York Introduces Two Bills Related to School Nutrition North Carolina Bill Appropriates Funding to Assist Emergency Nutrition Programs Utah Introduces Bill to Amend to the Start Smart Breakfast Program Mark Your Calendars Upcoming SNA Webinars Mystery Chat Corner COVID-19 Policy Updates FNS Publishes New State Guidance on COVID P-EBTOn February 24th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published updated state guidance on Coronavirus Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). P-EBT provides eligible school children with temporary emergency nutrition benefits for purchasing food. This guidance includes Questions and Answers (Q&A) and a State Template Plan to assist State Agencies administering this program. Back to the top The child nutrition program team at IDEA Public Schools in Texas served nearly 280,000 meals last week to students affected by winter storms; despite some not having power/water themselves, they ensured all children had access to food. Federal PolicyLast chance to register for the 49th Legislative Action Conference: March 8-10, 2021Registration is still open for the 49th Legislative Action Conference, March 8-10, 2021—a virtual event—to experience The Power of One: The Impact of Many. As part of this year’s “ZOOM the Hill," LAC attendees will join their colleagues in advocating for SNA’s new 2021 Position Paper. LAC resources, including Position Paper fact sheets and talking points can be found here. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event! Register now for #LAC21!#LAC21 Zoom the Hill: Schedule Your MeetingThe school nutrition advocacy event of the year is only four weeks away. Schedule your meeting with your legislators during the March 10th Zoom the Hill. View SNA’s step-by-step guide on how to contact the Hill and get the meeting in their calendars! SNA Submits Comments on Child Nutrition DatabaseOn February 26, SNA submitted its comments on the Federal Register notice "Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request." State agencies and school districts use the CN Database to determine nutrient analysis required for school nutrition programs. In these comments, SNA encourages FNS to ensure that the database is complete and updated on nutrition programs' current foods. Read SNA's full comment letter.SNA Submits Comments on School Meals Operations StudyOn February 26, SNA submitted its comments on the Federal Register notice "Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request." In these comments, SNA recommends that FNS review the web survey and data content to ensure it is pertinent and can be easily retrievable. Read SNA's full comment letter. Back to the top State SnapshotsCalifornia Presents Two Bills on Expanding School Reimbursements and Funding AB 558 establishes the School Plant-Based Food and Beverage Program under California's Department of Education. This program would authorize local education agencies to apply for funding to receive a reimbursement of $0.20 per meal that includes a plant-based food option or $0.10 per meal that features a plant-based milk option. AB 739 amends the California Education Code to state that any funds provided to school districts may also be used to purchase school meals for students.Iowa Creates Farm to School Fund SF 359 creates a Farm-to-School Fund under the Iowa Treasury to assist schools and districts in purchasing food products and commodities from Iowa farms.Michigan Drafts Anti-Lunch Shaming Legislation SB 102 prohibits a school from taking action against any student who cannot pay for a meal or has accumulated a meal debt. New York Introduces Two Bills Related to School Nutrition A 4851 requires any public school located in a city with over one million people to offer Halal food options during lunch. A 1744 states that specific school staff must be trained in the Heimlich maneuver and requires at least one trained individual to be present while students are eating school meals.North Carolina Bill Appropriates Funding to Assist Emergency Nutrition Programs H 42 or S 36 appropriates 75 million for North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction to provide emergency school nutrition services for those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program or Summer Food Service Program. Utah Introduces Bill to Amend to the Start Smart Breakfast Program HB 372 delays the start by which all public schools must serve breakfast using an "alternative breakfast service model" until the 2022-2023 School year. Back to the top Mark Your Calendars Upcoming SNA 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. School Nutrition, Food Allergies & Food Insecurity in the Pandemic Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 3:00 PM ET In this session, speakers will review the basics of food allergy management during the pandemic based on expert guidance; the intersection of food insecurity and food allergies; and the role of the school nutrition team. Sherry Coleman Collins is a registered dietitian, former school nutrition professional, and expert in food allergy management and will review the latest guidance from AAAAI on managing food allergies during the pandemic. Emily Brown is the president of Food Equality Initiative and the mother of a child with food allergies who works to help advocate for families managing food allergies who are also struggling with food insecurity and hunger. Jeremy Bergman is the Food Service Director of the New Castle Area Schools in New Castle, PA. He serves a diverse population of students and will share best practices and practical considerations for managing food allergens during the pandemic. Mystery Chat Corner On March 2, 1965, which popular musical film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumer premieres at the Rivoli Theatre in New York? A: The Sound of Music Back to the top