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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 USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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