Sheldon E. Gordon, MS, RDN Chief, Nutrition & Technical Assistance Branch

Child Nutrition Programs USDA

2015 SNA-ANC, Salt Lake City

Menu Planning Resources

Our goal is that when you return your school district, you will develop your own innovative menu planning approach for success in your school meals programs.

Goal

By the end of the this presentation, attendees will be to: 1. identify free resources available to enhance their school

meals programs; and

2. apply and connect previously learned menu planning concepts in order to derive new concepts

Objectives

Agenda

‒ Setting the Stage - Video ‒ Menu Planning & Financial Management ‒ Resources

‒ Team Nutrition (TN) ‒ Healthy Meals Resource System (HMRS)

‒ Best Practices ‒ Questions & Answers

Setting the Stage

Add video

Menu Planning Fundamentals & Financial Management

• Age Groups - K-5, 6-8, 9-12

• Cost

• Food Trends

• Kitchen

• Participation

• Product Availability

• Regulations

• Staff

Menu Planning Fundamentals & Financial Management

The Basics

• Meal Pattern Guidelines • Food Buying Guide • Healthy Meals Resource System

The Basics Plus

• Nutrient Analysis Software approved by USDA

• Visit other school websites

Tools for Schools

One-stop guide to nutrition standards for school meals

– Free nutrition materials, training,

and recipes for school food service

– Smarter Lunchroom strategies – Tips for offering more fruits,

vegetables, and whole grain-rich foods

– Grant opportunities – Best practices from other schools

– Regulations and policies

Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/food-buying-guide-school-meal-programs

• Updating

• New Releases:

– Separation of Vegetables & Fruits

– Updated Meats/Meat Alternates Section

– Updated Milk Section

• Food Yield Study - in progress

Whole Grain Resource for NSLP/SBP

www.teamnutrition.usda.gov

www.teamnutrition.usda.gov

http://teamnutrition.usda.gov

http://www.whatscooking.fns.usda.gov

What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl

Farm to School Connections

• Visit the Farm to School Web site: www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool

• Sign up for the bi-weekly e-letter.

Healthy Meals Resource System http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov

What’s Shaking?

Check out What’s Shaking? resources at: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/whatsshaking

Healthy Meals Resource System Best Practices Sharing Center

• Menus • Recipes • Training Materials • Signage • Success Stories

http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/

State and

SFA Developed Resources

Success Stories

Create a Flavor Station! Tips from schools: • Offer a variety of hot sauces,

vinegars and dressings. • Include seeds, dried fruit,

homemade croutons • Jalapenos (cooked and

packaged at a central kitchen facility without sodium)

• Homemade dressings • Sauces like curry and coconut

curry

School: Carrollton City Schools, Carrollton, Georgia Source: Facebook: School Meals That Rock

Using Herbs and Spices

“Students today have a more sophisticated palate than students in the past. I have been surprised with the variety the students in my high school have been willing to try and enjoy. Such as curry, California rolls with sushi, Pancet canton from the Philippines. We offer a regular or spicy mac and cheese and the spicy is more popular.”

- Chef Sharon Warner, Merit Academy, Springville, Utah

More Success Stories from Schools

Merit Academy, Springville, UT

• Make your own spice blends!

• Offer several different types of condiments to increase flavor choice

• Make homemade croutons for salads that are low in sodium

Campbell County School District, Gillette, WY

• The use of herbs and scratch cooking have made the difference

• Add cilantro to fresh pico de gallo and corn salsa

• Fresh rosemary and thyme when cooking turkey and pork

• Basil to corn on the cob

Contact Information

• For questions or technical assistance with food crediting issues, Food Buying Guide, recipe analysis, etc. email us at CNPNTAB@fns.usda.gov.

• To order nutrition education curriculums, information on Team Nutrition Training Grants, brochures, email us at teamnutrition@fns.usda.gov.