CNAC Meeting Minutes for March 21, 2011

Call to order

Molly O’Kane, Vice Chair, opened the meeting at 10:04 a.m.

Public Comment

No public comment was provided.

Minutes of December 16 and February 2

Lacking a quorum, the Council agreed to table the minutes.

Recruitment and Selection of Vacancies

The Council discussed the candidates for the three non-voting positions. They recommended that:

• Mary Hoshiko Hanghey be appointed the After School Representative
• The Business Official position be reposted
• There be further discussion on the Physical Education Representative

Robin Sinks and Tracy Vernon’s terms have expired, and they are both willing to continue to serve. The Council suggested that they submit Letters of Intent to the Board President with a copy to Jennifer Johnson in the Board Office and Yvonne Chan, Board Member, informing the Board that they are willing to continue to serve. The Council members whose terms expire in December 2011 should do the same thing in July.

Action on other vacant positions is awaiting movement from the Board Office.

Meeting Schedule

May 13
July 25
September 15
November 17

Meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Training and Education Needs Assessment (National School Lunch Program)

This assignment, undertaken by the Education Nutrition and Policy Unit, is to ascertain what training is needed by schools, who is doing training currently, and how should it be structured. There will be $6 million available for implementation of the training in 2012 and 2013. Phyllis Bramson asked if there is anyone on the Council who would be interested in participating. Jodi Ornellas expressed an interest, and Carol Chase will provide further information to her.

Proposed Rule for School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program

Louise Casias spoke on the proposed new rule for nutrition standards to be adopted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after a period of public comment which ends on April 13, 2011. The New Rule includes:

• Only food based menu planning
• Three school grade groups: preschool, K–8 and 9–12
• Increased Fruits and Vegetables for lunch and breakfast
• Increased whole grain
• Fat free milk, flavored or unflavored
• Low fat milk with no flavor
• Minimum and maximum calories
• Coordinated Reviews
  • Nutrient analysis to be done in the Coordinated Review
  • Breakfast to be included
  • Two weeks of menus
  • Coordinated Review every three years instead of every five years
• Sodium restriction to be phased in

The Rule will be finalized in the winter of 2011–12 and implemented in July of 2012.

Effects on School Districts

• Increased costs not fully reimbursed by the USDA
• Possible change in numbers participating
• Increase costs may cause districts to end breakfast programs
• Training needs

The Council members discussed the Rule and were encouraged to comment at the U.S. Government Web site at regulations.gov .

Child Nutrition Reauthorization—The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids At of 2010

Phyllis Bramson reported on Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

1. Improved Access
   1. Three community eligibility methods can be used in place of individual applications.
   2. Categorical eligibility for foster children will require California to work with the Department of Social Services for Direct Certification.
   3. The bill authorizes After-School Meals for at-risk children in after-school programs.
2. Increased Integrity
   1. The Act requires the USDA to provide guidance and regulations on indirect costs.
   2. The Act excludes federal State Administration Expenses from state budget restrictions (furloughs, hiring freezes, travel freezes).
3. Improved Nutrition
   1. Requires the USDA to develop commodity food specifications that model the new meal patterns
   2. Upgrades food safety requirements related to food recalls and holds
   3. Requires free fresh water to be available at meal times
   4. Increases requirements for school wellness policies
   5. Five million dollars for Farm to School programs
   6. Adjustments to Child Care Food Program requirements
   7. Requires professional standards for school food service directors
4. Improved Child Care Food Program
   1. Requires inclusion of nutrition and wellness standards in licensing standards
   2. Amends child care standards amended to include wellness policies, physical activity, drinking water, and fluid milk requirements
5. Impact
   1. The changes will result in increased meal participation and healthier meals.
   2. Implementation of the changes will create a need for more training and monitoring.
   3. NSD will receive about $6 million for training and technical assistance in both State Fiscal Years 2011–12 and 2012–13.
   4. NSD needs more positions and increased expenditure authority

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 2 p.m.