School Nutrition

The School Nutrition Unit offers a variety of trainings to increase school nutrition professionals’ skills and knowledge in operating child nutrition programs. These trainings provide USDA Professional Standards hours and count as Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential

Green rectangular box with whiter lettering that says Enrollment key: nutrition
Moodle users are able to enroll in ALL of School Nutrition's courses using the enrollment key: nutrition.

Nondiscrimination Statement

For all School Nutrition Trainings, you acknowledge you have read and understand the Nondiscrimination Statement below. This statement is a reminder of our responsibilities to ensure all eligible people may participate in our child nutrition programs.

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/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.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;

(2) fax: 833-256-1655 or 202-690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Download USDA Non-Discrimination Statement Translations here

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Please contact, Sharon Murray, at murray_s@cde.state.co.us or 720-584-1962, for questions about School Nutrition training offerings and any accessibility needs.
Imagen del curso New Directors Training
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.


Imagen del curso Afterschool Snack Program (ASP)
School Nutrition

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? 

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

Imagen del curso Civil Rights
School Nutrition

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? 

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


Imagen del curso Colorado Nutrition Portal
School Nutrition

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? 

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

Imagen del curso Community Outreach
School Nutrition

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.


Imagen del curso Contract for Meals
School Nutrition

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)
Questions? 

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



Imagen del curso Determine Program Eligibility
School Nutrition
Defines eligibility requirements and how to process income applications to determine free or reduced-price meal eligibility for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Modules:

  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? 

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

Imagen del curso Ensure Food Safety
School Nutrition

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

Modules:

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

Questions? 

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

Imagen del curso Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP)
School Nutrition

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? 

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

Imagen del curso Healthy School Meals for All
School Nutrition

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.

Imagen del curso Introduction to Child Nutrition Programs
School Nutrition

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.

Imagen del curso Manage Program Finances
School Nutrition

Covers key elements of financial management for child nutrition programs. 

Module:

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

Questions? 

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


Imagen del curso Meal Quality & Local Foods
School Nutrition

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?  

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


Imagen del curso Plan Meals
School Nutrition

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)
  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? 

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

Imagen del curso Prepare for Program Reviews
School Nutrition

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? 

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

Imagen del curso Reimbursement & Funding
School Nutrition

An overview of meal counting and claiming procedures. 

Module:

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

Questions? 

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

Imagen del curso Source Food, Supplies, & Services
School Nutrition

Provides an overview of procurement in child nutrition programs. 

Module:

  1. Procurement (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

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

Imagen del curso Special Milk Program
School Nutrition

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

Modules:

  1. Special Milk Program (English, Spanish)

Questions? 

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

Imagen del curso Summer Food Service Program
School Nutrition

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.


Imagen del curso USDA Equipment Assistance Grant
School Nutrition

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.