PROGRAMS & SERVICES:
CHILD NUTRITION:
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS:
POLICY & ADMINISTRATION
(Updated 1/29/08)

Food Service Management Company Contracts & Information
The regulations of the National School Lunch Program permit school districts to contract out the management of the food service operation. There are very specific requirements regarding what responsibilities can and cannot be delegated to the company, regarding the process for going out to bid, and regarding many aspects of the final contract. School districts that are interested in contracting with a food service management company should contact the Department of Education at the start of the process.

• Contract Approval Process 
• Request for Proposals
  • Request for Proposals
• Basic Contract Format
  • Basic Contract Format
• Grading Sheet
  • Grading Sheet

Meal Planning
Schools have three main options for planning school meals: the traditional food-based system, the enhanced food-based system which was created in 1992 to increase the likelihood that school meals will meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the specific nutrient standards for each type of school meal, and nutrient standard menu planning which uses a computer-based nutrient analysis program to plan menus that contain the correct nutrient content to meet the nutrient standards.

• Traditional Food-Based Menu Planning Guidelines 
• Enhanced Food-Based Menu Planning Guidelines 
• Nutrient Standard Menu Planning Guidelines 

On-site Monitoring Form 
School Food Authorities (SFAs) that have more than one site, and those that contract with a food service management company (whether or not there are more than one site), must conduct and document an on-site monitoring of the meal count system. The on-site monitoring must be completed by Febraury 1 each year. This form allows schools to document compliance with this requirement.

Program Application and Annual Renewal
Schools that participate in a Child Nutrition Program must complete an on-line application and then annually renew that application. The on-line system is also the mechanism for submitting monthly claims for reimbursement.

• Initial Application 
  This form is used by schools that want to start a new school meals program.
• Renewing an On-line Application (Not available)
• Password Request Form 
  In order to get into the on-line system a password is required. This form allows a new employee to apply for a password.

School Wellness Policies/Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
In its 2004 reauthorization of the National School Lunch Program, Congress added a requirement that school districts must establish a school wellness policy.

• Language of the Reauthorization Law 
• Vermont Nutrition and Fitness Policy Guidelines 
  This document is the result of the collaboration between the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the departments of Education and Health, as required by Act 161 of the 2003 session of the Vermont Legislature.
• Act 145 Report (Act 145: An Act Relating to Use of Vermont Products and Nutrition Education in Schools) 
  This document provides information about the number of school districts that have or have not adopted a wellness policy and a detailed review of the adopted policies from a minimum of 10% of the schools that reported having a policy in place. All schools that receive federal funds for breakfast and/or lunch programs were required to adopt a wellness policy by the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.

Food Safety (Added 1/29/08)
Section 111 of the 2004 Child Nutrition Reauthorization law focuses on food safety. In addition to changes related to food safety inspections, a new requirement was added. Schools are required to develop and implement a food safety program for the preparation and service of school meals served to children. This food safety program must be based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and conform to guidance issued by the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Language of the Reauthorization Law 
• Action Plan for Implementing a HACCP Based Food Safety Program 
  This one-page document helps schools plan their HACCP based food safety program and sure that their food safety program includes the required components.
• Guidance for School Food Authorities: Developing a School Food Safety Program Based on the Process Approach to HACCP Principles (PDF)
  This USDA manual provides detailed information on the required components of a food safety program.
• Developing a School Food Safety Program
  Information at this site includes various tools, including worksheets and templates for implementing a food safety program.

Program Eligibility Information
Policy & Administration | Publications & Resources

School Nutrition Programs

Child Nutrition

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