The USDA recently outlined its priorities for the next five years as part of the
2010 Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
Reauthorization
Facts
The United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) recently outlined their priorities for the
next five years as part of the 2010 Child Nutrition
Reauthorization Act and USDA Secretary Tom
Vilsack discussed the specific areas where
the USDA expects states to focus their efforts.
Improvement areas include:
Reducing barriers to participation
Improving program access
And enhancing the nutritional quality and
health of the school environment
Fortunately, the West Virginia Department of
Education (WVDE) Office of Child Nutrition has
been leading the nation in these areas.
USDA
Priority
Expanding the School Breakfast
Program needs to be a priority and more schools need to
provide nutritionally sound meals.
West Virginia is one of the few states that has a state law
mandating breakfast in public schools. All West Virginia public
schools offer breakfast. In addition, West Virginia requires that
meals meet the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans
recommendations of offering whole grains daily, only lowfat and non-fat milk and dairy products, and preparing more
school made items instead of purchasing processed food
items. West Virginia requires all schools to provide at least five
grams of fiber and no more than 500 milligrams of sodium
when averaged over one week for breakfast meals.
USDA Priority
Support should be provided for direct
certification efforts to automatically enroll eligible children
in child nutrition programs with a focus on utilizing new
technologies and proven methods.
The WVDE directly certifies approximately 60 percent of all
children qualifying for free or reduced price meal benefits. The West Virginia Educational Information System (WVEIS)
utilizes a statewide student data base that electronically
matches with other state agency data to provide a direct
certification match at the state agency level. The direct
certification categorization is transferable from district to
district throughout the state.
USDA
Priority
Addressing hunger among children
must include modifications to counting and claiming
processes in very low income area.
www.wvsmartfoods.com
The WVDE Office of Child Nutrition is currently implementing
one software suite statewide on a centralized database
supported on state agency maintained servers. This
software will drive innovation and operational efficiencies
by eliminating the need for county school districts to support
servers and databases at the local level. West Virginia
will offer a universal free/reduced price meal application
statewide enabling boards of education to transfer eligibility
statuses when students move from county to county.
Paperwork will be reduced and lapses in benefits to students
will be eliminated.
USDA
Priority
USDA recently contracted with the
National Academies of Science Institute of Medicine to
provide evidence and science-based recommendations
for the foods offered in school nutrition programs so that
the programs address the need to include more fruits and
vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy.
In July 2008, the West Virginia Board of Education passed
Policy 4321.1, Standards for School Nutrition. This ground
breaking policy affects all foods sold, served or distributed in
public schools and is based upon the Institute of Medicine’s
report published in April 2007. The goal of Policy 4321.1,
Standards for School Nutrition is to ensure that schools
offer students the food and beverage choices that will
foster learning and promote lifelong healthy eating. West
Virginia school meals exceed USDA meals and include
fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, lowfat milk and plenty of water. A la carte sales other than
milk are prohibited. USDA
Priority
USDA recommends setting higher
standards for all foods sold in school, including in vending
machines and a la carte lines, and related policies and
programs to ensure that the school environment is a
positive influence on children’s diets, their physical choices
Reauthorization
and their health.
Facts
Policy 4321.1, Standards for School Nutrition, also
addresses other snacks and drinks sold, served or
distributed outside the school nutrition program. These
foods, whether in vending machines, served at school
parties or part of a fundraiser, should be nutritious without
adding unnecessary calories, fat, sugar or sodium. The
WVDE Office of Child Nutrition is proud that 53 of 55
counties in West Virginia have voluntarily removed soft
drink sales from their schools during the school day and
vend only healthy beverages. For more information
about Policy 4321.1, Standards for School nutrition visit:
www.wvsmartfoods.com
Office of Child Nutrition Achievements
In the last 15 years, the Office of Child Nutrition (OCN)
has received more than $1.75 million in Team Nutrition
funds. In 2008 alone, the Office of Child Nutrition
received a $350,000 federal Team Nutrition grant to
promote Policy 4321.1, Standards for School Nutrition,
at the local level.
West Virginia is among only 11 states in the nation
granted the authority to administer the Child and
Adult Care Food Program’s After-School At-Risk
Supper Program.
West Virginia directly certifies approximately 60
percent of all children for free and reduced price
meal benefits. The national average is approximately
25 percent.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides
an online application and monthly claim for
reimbursement for sponsors. Federally mandated
monitoring is conducted via computer in the field.
Seven statewide cooperative purchasing groups
operate to ensure schools receive the most
competitive food prices.
The National School Lunch Program utilizes a
statewide electronic claims application for programs
to efficiently submit claims for federal reimbursement.
The new Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is working
to increase fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in
elementary schools.
No a la carte food sales are permitted in West
Virginia schools as part of the National School Lunch
Program.
www.wvsmartfoods.com