This information is to keep you informed of any changes in policies and procedures and of new
communication originating from the state office this month.
Operations
6-Cents Certification
Of the 1,234 (94%) CEs that have submitted for certification, 1,205 (91%) have been approved
and two have been denied.
6cents@texasagriculture.gov e-mail will be disabled as of June 30, 2013. CEs may contact TDA
concerning certification by calling (877) TEX-MEAL or email us at
squaremeals@texasagriculture.gov.
The 6 Cents webpages will be taken down on June 30, 2013. Documents and resources
contained within these webpages will be moved to the following locations at that time.
6 Cents Regulations and Guidance
 USDA materials contained under the Regulations section of this webpage will have to be
retrieved directly from USDA’s website at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/certificationofcompliance.htm.
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The certification documents associated with SP 34-2012: 6 Cents Certification Tools,
Specifications, and Attestation will be located at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPAdministrati
onampForms.aspx.
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SP 31-2012 and SP 44-2012 Q&A’s will be incorporated into the Administrator’s
Reference Manual (ARM) at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPPolicyampA
RM.aspx.
6 Cents Clarifications
 All clarifications will be incorporated into the ARM at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPPolicyampA
RM.aspx.
6 Cents Training and Resources
 $0.06 Certification Webinars, Sample Menu, Flow Chart, and Tips for Avoiding Errors
will be located at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPTraining.asp
x.
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The certification Menu Template, and Checklist will be located at:
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPAdministrati
onampForms.aspx.
These new locations will also be posted on the 6 Cents webpages until these webpages are taken
down.
Revised Forms
The following SNP forms, with directions, have been revised and released:
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Administrative Review Site Selection Form
Afterschool Care Program (ASCP) Onsite Monitoring Checklist
CE Administrative Review (AR) Preparation Form
School Nutrition Program (SNP) Self-Assessment Review Form
Plan for Reducing Excessive Operating Food Service Fund Balance Form
The revised forms are available at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPAdministrationampF
orms.aspx.
Food Buying Guide Supplement
Pre-portioned Fruit Cup Crediting
A Food Buying Guide (FBG) Supplement, Pre-portioned Fruit Cup Crediting, has been
released. You can access this FBG supplement on squaremeals at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Publications/PolicyAlertsandNotices/CurrentPolicyAlertsandNotice
s.aspx.
Salsa
Please see pages 2-52 in the new Veg Section of the FBG here:
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/fbgvegfruits.pdf
Please note the footnote with the Salsa entry:
For salsa products that contain all vegetable ingredients plus a minor amount of spices or
flavorings, one hundred percent of the product may be used to meet the volume
vegetable/fruit requirement for meal pattern requirements. When products contain nonvegetable ingredients like gums, starches or stabilizers, water or vinegar, only that
portion of the product that is a vegetable ingredient may be counted towards the volume
requirement.
Essentially, if the product contains any non-vegetable/fruit ingredients manufacturer
documentation will be necessary to count this product’s contribution toward meeting pattern
requirements. Remember that any fruit or vegetable item must be credited in volume, not by
weight and the smallest creditable serving amount is 1/8 cup.
If not, they can count it as a condiment and it must be added to the nutrient analysis to assure the
calorie levels are met. Please contact Christina Little-Manley at
christina.manley@texasagriculture.gov with any questions.
Policy
Categorical Eligibility of Foster Children
A revised SFSP Clarification of Federal Policy, Categorical Eligibility of Foster Children, has
been released. The previous version was dated May 15, 2013, while the revised version is dated
May 20, 2013. Please delete any copies of the previous version that you may have saved. You
can access this clarification on squaremeals at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/SummerFeedingPrograms/SummerFeedingPolicyampHan
dbooks.aspx under SFSP Policy - Current.
New USDA Policy Memos
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SP 40_CACFP11_SFSP13-2013s - Regarding the Participation of Head Start Participants
in the Child Nutrition Programs.pdf
SP41-2013a - Release of the FNS-828 Paid Lunch Price Data for School Year 20112012.pdf
SP41-2013a - Release of the FNS-828 Paid Lunch Price Data for School Year 20112012.xlsx
Summer
Demonstration Project for Non-Congregate Feeding for Outdoor Summer
Feeding Sites Experiencing Excessive Heat – Q&A
The February 15, 2013, memo, SP 24-2013, SFSP 10-2013 “Demonstration Project for NonCongregate Feeding for Outdoor Summer Feeding Sites Experiencing Excessive Heat,” has been
revised and reissued to include “frequently asked questions.” That memo is attached. It also
includes a template developed by FNS to facilitate the State collection of information pertaining
to the demonstration project.
Visit www.squaremeals.org/noncongregatefeeding for updated information.
Website Updates
Squaremeals
A revised ARM Section 12, Seamless Summer Option (SSO), has been released and posted at
http://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/NationalSchoolLunchProgram/NSLPPolicyampARM.asp
x.
Farm to School
New Farm to School Web Resources
New gardening and educational resources have recently been added to the Texas Farm to School
Web pages. These resources will help CEs start a garden program and incorporate agriculture
and nutrition education lessons into students’ learning experiences. A map of current Farm to
School projects in Texas school districts has also been added. Visit
www.SquareMeals.org/FarmtoSchool for more information.
TDA’s Farm to School initiative focuses on building strong relationships between schools and
agricultural producers, while positively connecting students to the food they eat. For more
information, contact Alyssa Herold, Farm to School Program Specialist, at (512) 463-1209.