ILSNA's CD Cookbook is Available Again!
Due to the overwhelming response to our CD Cookbook offer, we have ordered more copies and are now ready to fill orders again. If you missed out last time it was available, click here to place your order before they're gone again!
ILSNA's Legislative Brochure "The Truth on School Nutrition"
Children who participate in school meal programs consume MORE fruits, vegetables and milk than those who don't! Students who eat breakfast in general obtain higher math and reading scores; improved student attention; and overall more positive behavior. School meal programs are vital to their educational and physical well-being! ILSNA has prepared a legislative brochure with facts regarding school food programs in Illinois. Click here to download your copy today or contact the ILSNA office to purchase a supply.
Click here for your copy of the ILSNA legislative brochure "The Truth on School Nutrition"
New Meal Patterns...USDA Menu Sharing
There has been a great deal of discussion around menus relative to the new meal patterns. The USDA has developed a platform and clearinghouse for menu sharing at http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/bestpractices. Additionally, the USDA is exploring the possibility of providing cycle menus that meet the new requirements. It would seem that this USDA program could be a big help to our members. Please share this info with your regions.
Click here for more details on the USDA Best Practices Sharing Center Website
Calling All School Nutritional Professionals!
We are searching for innovative, delicious, healthy school lunches. Build a healthy tray and have a chance to win a trip to New York City to see a taping of the Rachael Ray Show and be featured in School Nutrition Magazine.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the School Nutrition Association, and Rachael Ray's Yum-o! are joining the efforts to spotlight creative meals from school nutritional professionals across the country.
Build your healthy tray—including meat/meat alternate, bread/grain, vegetable and fruit—and have a chance to win a trip to New York City. Meals will be judged on nutrition, appeal to students, ease of replication in schools and presentation.
All submissions must be on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website by June 15, 2012.
Click here for more details on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Website
Save the Date!
Click Here for Early Bird Registration!
ILSNA Annual Conference - June 26-28, 2012
Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in
Springfield, IL
ILSNA Room Block at the Crowne Plaza Hotel — Use Special Code SNA Click here for a direct link!
Exhibitor Information: ILSNA would like to invite Industry partners to participate as an Exhibitor or Sponsor at the 62nd Annual Illinois School Nutrition Association Conference. The exhibits are an excellent opportunity for you to introduce yourself and your products to School Nutrition Professionals throughout the state of Illinois. Click the link below for an Exhibitor Prospectus.
Click here for more details including a full conference registration brochure
USDA Announces New Criteria for HealthierUS School Challenge
The Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service is announcing new criteria for the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC). These new criteria reflect changes to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) meal pattern requirements as stated in 7 CFR Parts 210 and 220, while continuing to recognize schools that go above and beyond Federal requirements for school meals.
USDA HealthierUS School Challenge Webpage for Application Criteria and Additional Materials
Final Rule: Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
• The USDA has updated the Questions and Answers on the final rule to update the school meals offered under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This guidance addresses the final rule overall, and includes questions on general and specific aspects of the new meal requirements. These Questions and Answers are found under the Policy Memos heading in addition to other materials related to the new meal requirements that are available on a special webpage on the FNS website which you can access by clicking the link below.
• The USDA has issued Policy Memo SP 30-2012 regarding whole grain guidance requirements for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) which specifically addresses implementation of the ounce equivalencies and definition of whole grain-rich products. Policy Memo SP 30-2012 is found under the Policy Memos heading in addition to other materials related to the new meal requirements that are available on a special webpage on the FNS website which you can access by clicking the link below.
USDA Nutrition Standards for School Meals Webpage
Pink Slime - Fact and Fiction
There is lots of misinformation out there regarding this issue... here are some facts:
The real name is lean finely textured (LFT) beef. Jamie Oliver coined the phrase “pink slime”. It is not household ammonia that they are adding to the ground beef. They are putting it through a process using ammonia hydroxide which is a gas that dissipates but aggressively attacks E. Coli and Salmonella pathogens so it makes the food safer to consume. It is not an ingredient, which is why it is not found on the ingredient list.
Members are encouraged to visit the USDA website to get the facts and be informed when discussing lean finely textured (LFT) beef or “pink slime”. On March 30, 2012, the US Department of Agriculture released a memo in regards to the school lunch program and donated foods that contain lean finely textured beef (LFTB). Read the full memo here.
USDA Nutrition Standards for School Meals Webpage
History of School Lunch
President Harry S. Truman signed the National School Lunch Act on June 4, 1946. Though school foodservice began long before 1946, the Act authorized the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The legislation came in response to claims that many American men had been rejected for World War II military service because of diet-related health problems. The federally assisted meal program was established as "a measure of national security, to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation's children and to encourage the domestic consumption of nutritious agricultural commodities."
