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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of P-20 Education Policy
Child Nutrition Program Administration
89 Washington Avenue, Room 375 EBA, Albany, NY 12234
Phone: (518) 473-8781 Fax: (518) 473-0018
To: 
School Food Service Directors/Managers
From: 
Child Nutrition Program Administration
Date: 
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Subject: 
Best Practices for NY School Meal Programs

The New York State Education Department (SED) Child Nutrition Program Office is embarking on a project to identify and collect best practices from School Food Authorities (SFAs) operating the school meal programs across our state.  SED’s goal for this project is to develop new child nutrition tools and resources to assist SFAs in navigating challenges and enhancing their meal programs. 

We are looking for best practices in all aspects of the school meals programs, including meal service, menu planning, scratch cooking, increasing access and participation, record keeping, eligibility and certification process, student meal debt collection, procurement, farm to school, staffing, training, etc. 

SFAs are invited to join us in this effort by sharing their creative and impactful solutions for providing appealing, nutritious meals through this brief survey.  Child Nutrition will review survey responses on a rolling basis and reach out to SFAs where further details and clarification are needed.  Please note that for all outreach, we will work with SFAs to connect in a way that fits their availability, preferences, and needs (email, phone, video conference).  

Provided information would then guide the development of tools and resources for enhancing school meal programs.  Child Nutrition may also choose to feature practices in the Child Nutrition Spotlight series or in a manner similar with greater emphasis on educating and implementing in other schools.  

If you are interested in sharing your best practices, please complete this survey or if you wish to learn more, please reach out to Grace Chung at Grace.Chung@nysed.gov. 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Click here for Nondiscrimination Statement translations.

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