April 8, 2010
TO: Sponsors of National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs using Nutrient
Standard Menu Planning
RE: Requirements of Nutrient Standard Menu Planning
The Oregon Department of Education is required under Title 7 of the Code of Federal
Regulations to conduct an administrative and nutrition review of National School Lunch
Program sponsors once every five years. These reviews are conducted under a
system called the Coordinated Review Effort (CRE) for the administrative review and
School Meals Initiative for Healthy Children (SMI) for the nutrition review.
During recent reviews, ODE CNP nutrition specialists noticed a decline in the attention
being paid to the requirements for using Nutrient Standard Menu Planning. This lack of
attention is compromising program quality. Unlike food-based menu planning where the
food component and minimum portions are defined by USDA, Nutrient Standard Menu
Planning places the responsibility for the food item and the portion size offered on the
menu planner. USDA sets the nutrition standards and the nutrient and calorie levels that
must be met in the menu.
The following points are excerpts from 7 CFR 210.10(i):
| (1) (ii) |
Lunches must at least offer the nutrient and calorie levels for the required grade
groups (preschool, K – 6, 7-12, optional K-3). Lunches offered may use age groups
or customize the nutrient and calorie level for the children they serve. |
| (2) |
Reimbursable lunches planned in the nutrient standard menu planning approach
must meet the nutrition standards and the appropriate nutrient and calorie level for
the age/grade group being served |
| (5) |
Schools must include all menu items and foods offered in the reimbursable lunches
in the nutrient analysis. Menu items and foods are included based on portion sizes
and projected serving amounts |
| (7) |
Schools must adjust future menu cycles to reflect production and how often the
menu items and foods are offered. To make sure nutrition standards, nutrients and
calories are being met schools need to reanalyze menus when:
- Students’ selections change causing production levels to change
- Recipes are modified
- Products and/or product specifications change
|
| (8) |
A school using the Nutrient Standard Menu Planning approach must develop and
follow standardized recipes |
| (9) |
Schools must add any locally purchased processed foods and menu items to their
local database as outline in FNS guidance |
Successful menu planning using the Nutrient standard approach requires that:
- Menus be averaged over a week of at least 3 days for nutrient and calories levels
- Recipes and products used in the analysis match what is being served
- Nutrition standards, nutrient and calorie level are met
- Standardized recipes are followed
- Menus are reanalyzed anytime there is a change in the menu items or foods offered
CRE/SMI reviews will be conducted following these requirements. Failure to follow these
requirements will result in Corrective Action and/or moving to food based menu planning.
If you have questions, please contact your assigned Child Nutrition Specialist.
Sincerely,
Heidi Dupuis
Manager, School Nutrition
Child Nutrition Programs
Office of the Superintendent