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MSNA is a non-profit organization comprised of School Food Service Professionals in the state of Maryland. We are affiliated with the National School Nutrition Association which connects us to others across the nation with our same interest... Child Nutrition Programs for all children.

Income Eligibility Guidelines for SY 2012-13

March 25, 2012 -- The federal government has announced the Income Eligibility Guidelines for July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013.

Block Grants

March 25, 2012 -- In its Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Resolution, the House Budget Committee recommends converting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into a block grant. The concept of Block Grants to states to divide up a lump sum of federal assistance money to various nutirion programs has been around almost since the beginning of the Child Nutrition programs.  It has never succeeded because of the uneven distribution that is bound to occur when you pit one program against another for funds and all states will divide it differently. Right now, all federal assistance nutrition prorams are entitlement, meaning you serve a meal and you get paid for it.  It is a major concern to start down that block grant road with the SNAP program because once one program goes into it, you can be assured the rest will follow, including the school lunch and breakfast programs.

The document The Path to Prosperity: A Blueprint for American Renewal includes information about the block grant. An excerpt, from page 43 of the document, appears below.

• Convert the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) into a block grant tailored for each state’s low—income population, indexed for inflation and eligibility beginning in 2016 – after employment has recovered.  Make aid contingent on work or job training.

• Begin devolving other  low—income assistance programs to the states.  State Governments can better tailor assistance programs to their specific populations, providing a more robust safety net and reducing waste in these programs.

With regard to federal low-income assistance programs, starting with SNAP, this budget proposes two of the reforms that led to the success of welfare reform in the late 1990s. First, the budget ends the flawed incentive structure that rewards states for signing up ever-higher numbers of recipients.  By capping the open-ended federal subsidy and freeing states to come up with innovative approaches to delivering aid to those who truly need it, this reform encourages states to reduce rolls and help recipients find work.

Second, it calls for time limits and work requirements like those that proved successful at cutting welfare rolls in half and reducing poverty nationwide.  These changes would be phased in gradually, however, to give states and recipients opportunity to adjust and the employment time to recover.

SNA Issue Paper

Febrauary 7, 2012 -- SNA has released its 2012 SNA Issue Paper, which will be the focus of the MSNA Legislative Action Conference on March 6, 2012.  For more information about MSNA's Legislative Action Conference, contact MSNA's Federal Legislative Chair Mary Klatko.

.Final Meal Pattern

USDA Q & A on Final Rule

May 4, 2012 --USDA has provided Questions & Answers on the Final Rule, “Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.” This guidance addresses the final rule overall, and includes questions on general and specific aspects of the new meal requirements.

Writing Menus that Meet the New Meal Pattern

May 3, 2012 -- There has been a great deal of discussion around menus relative to the new meal patterns.  USDA has developed a platform and clearinghouse for menu sharing at http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/bestpractices.    USDA is also exploring the possibility of providing cycle menus that meet the new requirements. 

Final Rule Comparison from SNA

February 24, 2012 -- This chart compares the issues SNA included in its submission on the USDA proposed meal pattern regulation to the final regulation on the meal pattern.

Letter from First Lady Michelle Obama

January 27, 2012 -- In a letter addressed to School Foodservice professionals and others, First Lady Michelle Obama thanks the school community for the work it does every day to care for the nutritional needs of our nation's children and looks ahead to the implementation of the new regulations outlined in the Final Meal Pattern Rule released on January 25, 2012.

USDA Unveils Final Meal Pattern Rule

January 25, 2012 --  USDA today released the final regulations updating the meal pattern for School Breakfast and Lunch. This is the first major change in school meals in over 15 years.  SNA has provided talking points to help you if you are asked to comment on the meal pattern before you have a chance to read the details.

Final Rule

Excerpts from Final Rule
Chart Comparing Old Meal Pattern and New Meal Pattern
Implementation Time Line
Dietary Specifications

Information from SNA
Talking Points from SNA
SNA Press Release Regarding Release of Final School Meal Nutrition Standards
Letter from SNA's Legal Counsel Summarizing the New Regs

Information from USDA
USDA Press Release
USDA Q & A

SNA has created a Meal Pattern Resource Center to help SNA members get the latest information on the new Meal Pattern.  You must be an SNA member and use your member login to access this information.  It is available at  http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Content.aspx?id=16630

Other News

Summer Food Service Program Rates Released
USDA has released annual adjustments to the reimbursement rates for meals served in the 2012 Summer Food Service Program for Children.

"MyPlate" - New Icon for the Dietary Guidelines
The federal government has unveiled a new food icon, MyPlate, to remind consumers tomake healthier food choices. Click on the link above to see the icon and learn more about this new initiative.

Federal Legislation

Website note: Links to other sites, E-mail addresses, and files are indicated by yellow, underlined text. You will need Adobe Reader to view PDF documents. A free copy is available by clicking on the link below: