Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin |
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| Purpose: Policy, Beneficial Information | |
| To: School Nutrition Program Sponsors | Number: USDA-SNP-23-2013 |
| Attention: Food Service Directors | Date: October 2013 |
| Subject: Residential Child Care Institutions Exception for Safety if Serving Meals to Multiple Age/Grade Groups | |
| Reference: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Policy Memo
SP 48-2013 |
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| Supersedes: Management Bulletin USDA-SNP-34-2012 | |
This management bulletin provides information regarding an exception allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) that have legitimate safety concerns when serving varying amounts of food to multiple age/grade groups. Initially, the USDA only allowed this exception for juvenile detention or correctional facilities; however, they have now extended flexibility to all RCCIs.
This age/grade group exception applies only to RCCIs that:
- Have enrolled students who span more than one age/grade group
- Have legitimate safety concerns, or are required to meet state juvenile justice laws or regulations related to offering meals with varying amounts of food within the same meal period
The California Department of Education (CDE) will allow RCCIs that meet the above requirements to serve all enrolled students the same amount of food during their meal service. The RCCI must first obtain written approval from the CDE. These RCCIs shall serve meals meeting the National School Lunch Program meal pattern in effect for the highest age/grade group represented.
RCCIs that submitted the original exception form do not need to submit the new form. They may continue to serve all students the same amount of food based on the previous request form submitted to the CDE.
Obtaining Approval
The “2013 Residential Child Care Institution (RCCI) Food-Based Menu Planning Exception Request” is available in the Download Forms Section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System, identified as Form SNP 30. This form must be submitted to the CDE with an original signature. The CDE will review the request and notify the RCCI of approval or denial of the exception request.
Approval Prior to Menu Certification
For those RCCIs that have not submitted their menus for certification and meet the criteria for this exception, please include Form SNP 30 with your menu certification packet. The CDE must approve the exception request prior to menu certification.
This exception is only available to RCCIs that can demonstrate legitimate safety concerns when serving students different amounts of food.
If you have any questions regarding this management bulletin, please contact the School Nutrition Program Unit by email at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.