CNAC Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2011

Name	Representing
Paula James	Child Care Food Program
Debra Mason	Lay Person
Jody Ornellas	School Food Service Director
Phyllis Bramson	California Department of Education (CDE), Director of Nutrition Services Division (NSD)

Call to order

Diane Grooms, Chair, opened the meeting at 9:37 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.

I. Recruitment, Outreach, and Timeline for CNAC Appointments

A.  Background

There are four councils that are mandated by legislative action:

Charter Commission
Special Education Council
Curriculum Commission
Child Nutrition Advisory Council

Child Nutrition Advisory Council members required by statute:

School Food Services Supervisor/Manager
Child Care Food Program Sponsor
Nutrition Education Specialist
Curriculum Coordinator
School Board Member
Parent Teacher Association Representative
Student Representative
Lay Person
School Food Services Supervisor/Manager
Consultant
School Food Service Director
School Administrator
Classroom Teacher

B.  Discussion

The council members agreed on five main intentions for the council:

1. All 13 positions that are required by statute will be refilled, including those currently filled. Current members are invited to re-apply.
2. Screening analysis will be done jointly by the NSD and SBE office.
3. Recruitment should be extended to grant recipients, HealthierUS School Challenge awardees, those who have applied before, and those who have written to the Superintendent with concerns about school nutrition.
4. The timeline can be extended if there are not enough qualified candidates.
5. For logistical purposes, the school administrator and the student representative could be from the same Sacramento-area school.

C.  Timeline for Refilling Council Positions

September: Receive Applications

October: Review Applications

November: Interviews

January: Appointment by the SBE

D.  Current Members Reapplying

Member	Representing
Leann Onasch	School Food Services Supervisor/Manager
Dianne Grooms	School Board Member
Lucy McProud	Consultant
Jody Ornellas	School Food Services Director
Molly O’Kane*	Nutrition Education Specialist
Paula James*	Child Care Food Program Sponsor

*Under consideration

E. Interim California Department of Education Member

In Phyllis Bramson’s absence, an interim CDE representative should be appointed. Diane Grooms will e-mail Dr. Ellerbee requesting the appointment.

II. Roles and Responsibilities

A. California Department of Education Organizational Chart

Carol reviewed the organization chart which will take effect on October 1, 2011. Of special interest to the Council members is the Healthy Kids Campaign, an initiative from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office. The goals for the first two years of the campaign are increased physical activity, especially moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) throughout the day, every day, in schools and communities, and increased access to water and fresh foods, particularly salad bars.

B. Child Nutrition Advisory Council Mission

The council discussed the legislative statute that created CNAC, the bylaws, and the most recent mission statement. Since “physical activity” has been eliminated from the job description they agreed to re-adopt the mission statement with physical activity removed.

C. Responsibilities

In discussing the mission and responsibilities of the Council, members defined five specific areas of responsibility that can also be used to structure meeting agendas.

1. Child nutrition and access to high quality, nutritious food
2. Nutrition Education Programs
3. Food Service Management
4. Communication with the SBE regarding monitoring law and policy changes and recommending plans and guidelines
5. Communication network with key stake holders

III. Potential Impact of New Federal Regulations

1. Louise Cassias presented information regarding the Proposed Rule for Meal Patterns. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently analyzing the public comments submitted in the spring of 2011. The final rule should be available in early 2012. Highlights of the proposed rule:
   • Only food-based menu planning allowed
   • Increased amount of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grain-rich foods
   • Minimum and maximum calorie requirements by grade group
   • Decrease in sodium after time
2. CDE has identified several concerns with these requirements, among them:
   • Increased costs that may cause some schools to eliminate breakfast
   • Possible elimination of salad bars
   • Unrealistic implementation date and review requirements
   • Unrealistically stringent sodium restrictions
   • Possibility of needed upgrades in staff education and kitchen equipment
3. Equity in School Lunch Pricing
   This Interim Rule ensures that revenue from paid lunches provides sufficient funds to the food service account. National School Lunch Program reimbursements may not be used to subsidize paid lunches. All school food authorities must annually base lunch prices on the new requirements, including school year 2011–12. They must report weighted averages to the NSD every November.
4. Indirect Costs
   • In July 2011, the USDA issued a 113 page guidance handbook to local school authorities on program rules regarding how indirect costs can be paid through the cafeteria fund.
   • The USDA will report to Congress on this issue in October of 2013.
5. Providing Free Drinking Water to Students
   • State Senate Bill 1413 requires all public, non-charter schools to provide free drinking water during meal times in the food service area. Schools may opt out of the requirement. The implementation date was July 1, 2011.
   • The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 included a free water requirement, which was effective July 1, 2011, for all school food authorities that participate in the National School Lunch Program. The water must be available where meals are served. The USDA will issue proposed or interim regulations by December 2011 with final regulations available by 2012 or 2013.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 2 p.m.