Food and Nutrition Programs

Webinar(s) on USDA Foods for School Year 2017-2018 Food Ordering

To:	Child Nutrition Directors and School District Business Officials
From:	Robert M. Leshin, Director Office for Food and Nutrition Programs
Date:	January 19, 2017

We are pleased to announce two different webinars in support of USDA Foods Ordering for School Year 2017-2018 (SY 2017-2018).

"Entitlement, Brown Box Survey and Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh Produce — What's it all about?"
"Understanding Important Changes to the Processing Program for SY 2017-2018."

Each of two webinars will be offered at three different times. Each of the two webinars will be one and one-half hour (1.5 hour) long including time for questions. See information below for what each webinar will cover, recommendations for who should attend each webinar and the dates and times for each webinar. Be sure you attend at least one offering of the webinars to ensure you receive the USDA Foods that meets your menu needs in school 2017-2018.

"Entitlement, Brown Box Survey and Department of Defense (DOD) Fresh Produce — What's it all about?"
This webinar covers:
- Entitlement basics.
- Completing the improved Security Portal web page based Brown Box Survey: We are moving another step towards your survey becoming your Monthly Offer Sheet. You do not want to miss this important change!
- DOD Fresh Program eligibility, District responsibilities, ESE responsibilities, DOD responsibilities and the Vendor's responsibilities — a four way partnership.
Who should attend?
- Any district desiring food for their monthly offer sheet (Brown Box products) in SY 2017-2018.
- Any district who is thinking of utilizing entitlement for DOD Fresh Produce.
Dates and times:
Tuesday, February 7, 2017: 2:30pm – 4pm
Tuesday, February 21, 2017: 9am – 10:30am
Tuesday, March 1, 2017: 9:30am – 11am.

Note: This is the same webinar offered at each of these dates.
"Understanding Important Changes to the Processing Program for SY 2017-2018."
This webinar covers:
- New means of distribution of Processed Products in MA.
- District roles and responsibilities for participating in Net Off Invoice (NOI) and Fee for Service (FFS) through Distributors.
- The companies and specific products that are state approved for use in SY 2017-2018. Only these products will be available for ordering.
- Tools available to assist in assessing pricing and nutritionals for each approved product.
- Information on USDA Foods value and the approved pass thru values for the approved products, including what is a pass thru value and the district's role in monitoring and ensuring the district receives the full value of USDA Foods entitlement in the approved products purchased by the district.
Who should attend?
- Any district who will be or are thinking of processing (Diversion Program) USDA Foods in SY 2017-2018, be sure to attend this webinar.
- If a district does not process USDA Foods, the district is not required to attend this webinar. The Diversion Program is an optional use of entitlement.
Dates and times:
Wednesday, February 8, 2017: 2:30pm – 4pm
Thursday, February 23, 2017: 9am – 10:30am
Wednesday, March 2, 2017: 9:30am – 11am

Note: This is the same webinar offered at each of these times.

Important Registration Information (Please register as soon as possible as space is limited)

Sessions are open to:

Child Nutrition Directors
Cafeteria Managers
School District Business Officials

If multiple participants will be viewing the webinars on one computer and listening on a speaker phone, only one participant will need to register. Please note that if the training is no longer on the dropdown bar of the registration link, the training is full. Register for the Webinar using the following links:

Please contact Belinda Wilson at 781-338-6478 or by email at bwilson@doe.mass.edu or Marion Browning at 781-338-6460 or by email at mbrowning@doe.mass.edu if you have any questions related to the training(s). Please contact Marisol Montes at 781-338-6494 or by email at mmontes@doe.mass.edu if you have any questions regarding registration.

Additional Information

You will receive confirmation of your training registration with details of how to access the training. It will contain additional information related to the training. We look forward to seeing you attend this important webinar training on USDA Foods, as the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office for Nutrition and Food Programs strives to enhance the efficiency and quality of Child Nutrition Programs across the Commonwealth.

Last Updated: January 19, 2017