School Nutrition

This course provides new School Food Service Directors with the knowledge, tools, and resources to begin their role in implementing child nutrition program operations. This course is the first of CDE School Nutrition's 3-Step onboarding process for new directors.

Track the time it takes to complete the course and document the hours as Professional Learning Standards. You may download a Certificate of Course Completion at the end of the course.

Questions?

Please contact Sharon Murray at murray_s@cde.state.co.us or 720-584-1962.

This course is intended for any School Food Authorities (SFAs) who are either interested in participating in the Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) or who are already participating and would like a better understanding of ASP. 

Module:

1. Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Child Nutrition program operators and sponsors must follow all civil rights regulations to ensure all eligible persons receive program benefits in a non-discriminatory manner. USDA requires civil rights training on an annual basis for all who interact with child nutrition program participants.

Module:

1. Civil Rights in Child Nutrition Programs (English, Spanish)
2. Civil Rights in Summer Food Service Programs (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

This course provides a series of modules designed to bolster your ability to use the Colorado Nutrition Portal. The Portal is used by Child Nutrition Program Sponsors to complete annual renewal program applications, submit reimbursement claims for meals served, view historical and current program data, view and submit Administrative Review information and much more!

Modules:

1. Colorado Nutrition Portal Overview (English, Spanish)
2. Apply to Administer Child Nutrition Programs (English, Spanish)
3. Food Service Management Company Module (English, Spanish)
4. Complete the Direct Certification Process (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Engaging the school community is a great way to boost participation in your child nutrition program. 

Module:

1. Community Engagement (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Please contact, Sharon Murray, at murray_s@cde.state.co.us or 720-584-1962.

Provides an overview of the process and requirements for school food authorities who choose to work with food service management companies and meal vendors.

Module:

1. Food Service Management Companies and Meal Vendors (English, Spanish)

1. Establishing Eligibility through Income Applications (English, Spanish)
2. Direct Certification (English, Spanish)
3. Community Eligibility Provision (English, Spanish)
4. Regulations & Process Overview (English)
5. Processing Categorical Applications (English)
6. Site Eligibility in Summer Food Service Programs (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Covers food safety requirements for school food authorities operating child nutrition programs.

1. Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs (English, Spanish) 
2. Emergency Preparedness Planning (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Provides an overview of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) including regulations, best practices, and claiming procedures.

Modules:

1. Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Provides information and guidance on the Healthy School Meals for All program. Content will be added to this course as it is developed.

Modules:

1. Healthy School Meals for All - Informational (English, Spanish)
2. Healthy School Meals for All - Program Implementation (English, Spanish)

Questions?

Please contact Sharon Murray at murray_s@cde.state.co.us or 720-584-1962.

An overview of child nutrition programs administered by the Colorado Department of Education including sponsor eligibility and responsibilities for implementing school and summer meals. 

Module:

1. Introduction to Child Nutrition Programs (English, Spanish)

Questions?

Please contact Sharon Murray at murray_s@cde.state.co.us or 720-584-1962.

Covers key elements of financial management for child nutrition programs. 

Module:

1. Financial Management (English, Spanish)
2. Forecasting
3. Inventory

Questions? 

Serving students fresh, delicious food for school meals increases participation and promotes healthy eating. This course offers several strategies to increase meal quality for students.

Modules:

1. Taste of Colorado (English, Spanish)
2. Processed to Scratch (English, Spanish)
3. Nutritional Nudging (English, Spanish) 
4. Farm to School (English and Spanish)
5. School Gardens (English, Spanish) 

Questions?  

Outlines meal pattern requirements in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).

Modules:

1. Menu Planning (English, Spanish)
2. Meal Patterns (English, Spanish)
   • Preschool Feeding Options (English, Spanish)
3. Meal Pattern Documentation (English)
4. Serving Meals (English, Spanish)
5. Crediting Foods to Meet Meal Patterns (English, Spanish)
6. Standardized Recipes & Production Records (English, Spanish)
7. Special Dietary Needs (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Administrative Reviews (AR) ensure program integrity and compliance, offer additional training and support, and acknowledge the positive efforts and innovative approaches to serving nutritious meals to children during the school year. 

Modules:

1. Administrative Reviews (English, Spanish)
2. General Program Compliance
3. Meal Access and Reimbursement
4. Meal Patterns and Nutritional Quality
5. Syncplicity Guidance 
6. Prepare for SFSP Review

Questions? 

An overview of meal counting and claiming procedures. 

Module:

1. Meal Counting & Claiming (English, Spanish)
2. USDA Equipment Grant Training Webinar (English)

Questions? 

Provides an overview of procurement in child nutrition programs. 

Module:

1. Procurement (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Overview program requirements for the Special Milk Program (SMP).

Modules:

1. Special Milk Program (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Training series for sponsors and site staff operating the Summer Food Service Program. 

Modules:

1. What Know as a Sponsor (English, Spanish)
2. Civil Rights (English, Spanish)
3. Meal Patterns and Menu Planning (English, Spanish)
4. Meal Service Preparation (English, Spanish)
5. Site Eligibility (English, Spanish)
6. Food Safety (English, Spanish)
7. Completing the Meal Count Form (English, Spanish)
8. Serving Meals (English, Spanish)
9. Community Partnerships and Outreach Strategies (English, Spanish)
10. Prepare for a Review (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

Please contact, Sharon Murray, at murray_s@cde.state.co.us or 720-584-1962.

The purpose of this grant is to competitively award sub-grants to eligible School Food Authorities. Any SFA that is participating in the National School Lunch program this school year is eligible to apply.

The funds provided in the grant will allow SFAs to purchase equipment to serve healthier meals, improve the food safety of your nutrition program, and/or support the establishment, maintenance, or expansion of the School Breakfast Program.

Module:

1. USDA Equipment Assistance Grant

Questions? 

Please contact, Diane Matthews at matthews_d@cde.state.co.us.