town hall meeting reauthorization 2009 the wish list
TRANSCRIPT
Town Hall Meeting Reauthorization 2009
The Wish List
USDA/State Agency Roundtable Discussion
Phyllis Hodges, SNS
Roundtable Highlights
• Brainstorming for Reauthorization 2009
• Reauthorization Roundtable Recap• Major issues reviewed
and prioritized• Over 70 issues
identified
Major Issues Identified:
• Simplify or eliminate SMI• Standardize regulations and meal patterns
across all child nutrition programs• Create a uniform eligibility criteria across all child
nutrition programs• Simplify application and certification process• Use government collected data in certification
process
Other Top Tier Issues
• Eliminate Social Security Number from application
• Increase direct certification
• Extend Simplified Summer Feeding Program to all states
Pilot Reauthorization Survey
Craig Weidel, SNS
Survey Highlights
• Drafted by PPL Committee• 300 members surveyed• Member Segments Targeted
Directors Managers
Employee State Agency• Industry specific survey coming soon…
Survey Findings
Major Issues Facing Child Nutrition Programs:
• Funding, reimbursement rates, and cost of food and food preparation (74%)
• Complexity of federal and state regulations (48%)
• Need for an updated nutrition standard for reimbursable meals (40%)
Top Funding or Cost Issue:
•85% of respondents would like to see an updated reimbursement formula to reflect current costs and expenses.
Top Strategies to CombatChildhood Obesity
• Funding for Food Groups to Encourage (50%)
• Update nutrition standards for reimbursable meals (44%)
• Update nutrition standards for competitive foods (42%)
To Reduce the Barriers to School Meal Programs…
• Eliminate the reduced price category (83%)
• Simplify required meal application data (35%)
To Improve the USDA Commodity Programs…
•Fund breakfast commodities (52%)
To Improve the School Breakfast Program…
•Develop a universal breakfast program (79%)
Reauthorization Wish List
Thank You to Our Wish List Participants!
Arizona Mississippi Delaware MinnesotaIdaho New JerseyIndiana OhioIowa PennsylvaniaKentucky UtahMaryland West VirginiaMichigan District of Columbia
So, what’s on the wish lists?
• National Nutrition Standards
• Higher Costs = Need for increased reimbursements
• ERP – eliminate reduced price category
• Simplify the verification process
• Streamline application process
• Eliminate Social Security number
• Reduce overall paperwork
Wish lists continued…
Meal Pattern Changes:1. Review calorie requirements2. Increase reimbursement for increased fruit,
vegetable and whole grain servings3. Consideration of increased food allergies &
how it impacts meal patterns
Wish list continued…
Commodities:1. Increase uniformity &
simplification2. Increase choices
Food Safety/ HACCP
1. Unfunded mandate2. Need funding for
training
Wish list continued…
Wellness Policies:• Need increased accountability outside CNP• Increased burden on CN directors to manage
wellness program for entire school/district
Indirect Costs:• Limit on or definition of what can be charged to
CNP’s
Now what…Next Steps
• The preliminary data from this survey and town hall meeting will be used to develop concise surveys questions tailored to each member section group.
• A revised survey will be delivered to member sections via email, the SNA website and School Nutrition magazine. Additional delivery channels to be determined.