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 Combat Childhood 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! ArizonaMississippi DelawareMinnesota IdahoNew Jersey IndianaOhio IowaPennsylvania Kentucky Utah MarylandWest Virginia MichiganDistrict 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 requirements 2.Increase reimbursement for increased fruit, vegetable and whole grain servings 3.Consideration of increased food allergies & how it impacts meal patterns

Wish list continued… Commodities: 1.Increase uniformity & simplification 2.Increase choices Food Safety/ HACCP 1.Unfunded mandate 2.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 , the SNA website and School Nutrition magazine. Additional delivery channels to be determined.