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.