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Commissioner Staples Issues Mayors' Summer Food Challenge:
Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is challenging Texas mayors to increase participation in summer nutrition programs in their communities with the Mayors' Summer Food Challenge. "Unfortunately, Texas ranks first in food insecurity for children under the age of 18. This is unacceptable!" Commissioner Staples said. Austin Mayor-elect Lee Leffingwell and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro answered the challenge at kick-off events on June 9 and encouraged all mayors to do the same. Mayors should promote the program as a healthy and free option for kids to eat in the summer.
In the early fall, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will pull meal data from participating cities across Texas and award prizes for those cities that served the greatest percentage of their eligible population. Prizes (to be funded by HEB) will be awarded to the mayors as a donation to their community.
See TDA's press release on the kick-off events here. Contact Kathy Golson at Kathy.Golson@TexasAgriculture.gov for information about how to participate. |
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New USDA income eligibility guidelines for participation in the CACFP, NSLP/SBP, SFSP and SMP for 2009 – 2010 have been published. |
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On March 25, Back to Nature Foods Company announced a voluntary recall of its Nantucket Blend trail mix containing pistachio nuts that may be contaminated with the Salmonella organism. This possible contamination is not connected with the recent outbreak associated with peanuts or peanut butter. For more information, follow this link to read the original press release announcing the recall: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/backtonature03_09.html. |
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A new list of elementary schools is available for tiering determinations by CACFP Day Care Home sponsors effective April 1. (Notice CACFP DCH 2009-05) |
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TDA has posted the 2009 rates for reimbursement for the Summer Food Service Program |
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TDA's Food and Nutrition Training Unit will begin offering classes in April for current contractors in the CACFP for Child Care Centers. Check our Program/Nutrition Training website for locations and dates of training events and to register. The first classes are April 16-17 in Austin. April 16 is "Program Management for Sponsors"; the April 17th morning class is "Program Integrity"; the April 17th afternoon class is "Record Keeping." |
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USDA has issued a warning to consumers not to eat certain types of cheese that are being recalled by the manufacturer, Peregrina Cheese Corp. of New York City.
Samples of the cheeses have been shown to be contaminated with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious or even fatal infections in pregnant women, young children, the elderly or anyone with a weakened immune system.
None of the cheeses being recalled are distributed as part of USDA commodities; however, contractors participating in USDA nutrition programs may have purchased these cheeses on their own.
Please go to the USDA press release at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01970.html
for more information |
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The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to become an Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ “Power Partner” and work with us in implementing the Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Campaign in more comprehensive ways that reach kids, their parents, and the community. See this web site for more information and ways to get involved!
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardeducators/involved/HowToGetInvolved.asp |
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Updated information on the recall of peanut products for possible Salmonella contamination can be found on the FDA Web site at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html.
Companies nationwide that received products made by Peanut Corporation of America at its Blakely, Georgia plant have issued voluntary recalls of their products. As FDA gathers additional information about these products, the list of recalled products is expected to expand. FDA has created a searchable database for these products, which can be found at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm .
The list is updated frequently. You can also view the Frequently Asked Questions page at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph/faq.html.
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USDA has created an online resource for School Breakfast Program contractors to help them promote and expand their programs. The site includes customizable PowerPoint presentations, information sheets and marketing strategies. |
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Registration will soon be available for upcoming FND Training Events. Check the FND Learning Center regularly for new class postings as sites and dates are confirmed.
To avoid delays, individuals with an active Personal User Code (PUC) and an active contract are encouraged to self-register for classes to obtain instant registration confirmation.
To register for training for the first time and to obtain a Personal User Code (PUC), complete (in full) the FND Request Form available in the Learning Center and fax it to 888-237-5030. Training Unit staff will process your registration request and set up your PUC record in the Learning Center. Once your organization has an active contract, contact the Training Unit to activate your PUC. Complete another FND Request Form (be sure to include your Uniform Contract Number (UCN) and TX Program Number) and fax it to 888-237-5030 for processing. |
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USDA has designed a new website, MyPyramid for Preschoolers, that provides individualized nutrition guidance for preschoolers 2 to 5 years of age. Check out this excellent resource to help your preschooler eat well, be active and be healthy. |
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Subscribe to the FND e-News |
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The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to become an Eat Smart. Play Hard. “Power Partner” and work with us in implementing the Eat Smart. Play Hard. Campaign in more comprehensive ways that reach kids, their parents, and the community.
"Click here on how to get involved"
"Click here to complete the commitment form" |
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A reminder to FND contractors that FND by federal rule has 45
days to make payment for a valid claim that is free of errors. |
