National School Lunch Program

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides children meals that meet USDA nutrition guidelines and supports both academic achievement and health during the school day. In Montana, half of the lunch meals are served to children free or at a reduced price, based on their family’s household income.

In Montana, the National School Lunch Program serves 80,000 students every day.

Explore the School Nutrition Programs website to find information on program administration, training opportunities and healthy meal ideas.

Resources available under Forms and Guidelines, “Food Service” tab.

 

Special Milk Program

The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools who do not participate in other federal meal service programs.

Program administration resources available under Forms and Guidelines.

Milk Program Brochure
USDA’s Special Milk Program Fact Sheet

 

Afterschool Snack Program

The Afterschool Snack Program provides reimbursement for snacks to children who participate in afterschool educational or enrichment programs in an organized, structured and supervised environment.

Program administration resources available under Forms and Guidelines.

Afterschool Snack Program Brochure

USDA’s Afterschool Snack Program website

 

Cooperative Purchase Program

The Cooperative Food Purchasing Program was developed to provide lower prices to schools on food items for use in school meals programs. This program allows small school districts to take advantage of substantial cost savings. The cost of each food item is the same to all schools in the state regardless of their size or location.

All food items on the bid are screened to ensure quality, nutritional integrity and student acceptability. There are no restrictions on the quantity or type of food the school can order.

 Cooperative Purchase Ordering System

Cooperative Purchase Order for Winter 2012-13

Cooperative Purchase Program Brochure

Farm to School FAQ

Getting Started with Farm to School

National Farm to School Network

USDA Farm to School Program

Montana FoodCorps

Connecting our Schools to Local Foods: Montana's Farm to School Programs – September 2009 Webinar

For more information and assistance, contact: Aubree Roth Child Nutrition Education Coordinator Montana Team Nutrition Program (406) 994-5996 aubree.roth@montana.edu

Educators

Edible Schoolyard
Edible education is making an impact in communities all over the world. Learn about the innovative work being done and support the incredible people doing it. If you have a program, join the network and share your story!

Montana Ag in the Classroom
This agriculture curriculum program provides schools and communities with opportunities to learn about agriculture in a fun and effective way, and seeks to instill appreciation for local agriculture and food production. This site contains full lesson plans and other helpful resources.

Rethinking School Lunch: A Curriculum Resource from the Center for Ecoliteracy
The Rethinking School Lunch Program creates a framework for a comprehensive curriculum that integrates campus gardens, kitchen classrooms, school lunch, and a wide range of academic subjects. This program uses a systems approach to address the crisis in childhood obesity, provide nutrition education, and teach ecological knowledge.

The Farmer Grows a Rainbow
This is a set of pre-K through 5th grade activities that were developed in order to
connect Ag in the Classroom activities with the MyPyramid resources from
USDA.

Discover Dairy
An engaging, interactive, cross-curricular, multi-leveled lesson series designed
for upper elementary-aged students. Helps students understand where milk
comes from and the many ways dairy farms contribute to our lives.

Linking Food and the Environment (LiFE ) Curriculum Series
Developed at Teachers College at Columbia University, this series of modules,
intended for students from grades 4-6, promotes scientific habits of mind through
thoughtful, inquiry-based activities that integrate the study of food, food systems,
and environmental and personal health.

All About Farmer’s Markets: A Teaching Guide for Classrooms, Camps and
Community Programs
This 116 page guide, containing games, songs and activities, helps to children
make the connection between the land, the food we eat, and our health and wellbeing.
Intended for pre-K through 2nd grade.

Fresh from the Farm
This is a teacher’s guide from Time for Kids Magazine. Includes activities
complete with worksheets.

Healthy Food Choices – From the Farm to Your Table – a selection of resources for children.

Selection of Books for Elementary Children:

• Williams-Paisley, Kimberly (with Gurney Williams III) Henry and the Hidden Veggie
  Garden, Silverback Books, Inc. 2008
• Ehlert, Lois, Growing Vegetable Soup, Harcourt Brace and Company, 1987
• Gibbons, Gail. The Milk Makers, Aladdin Books, Macmillan Publishing Company, New
  York, 1985.
• Ehlert, Lois. Eating the Alphabet, Harcourt Brace and Company, Orlando, 1989

Mmm Mmm Montana: Delicious food that is grown right here in Montana Poster
Mmm Mmm Montana Poster
Classroom or Cafeteria Activities
Montana Food and Farm Trivia
Mmm Pyramid Adventure Activity
THINK TWO Snack Activity
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo Match Game
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo Match Game Answers

The Traditional Uses of the Buffalo activity was developed by United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck ND, and is part of the Buffalo and Native American Wellness Resource. For more information on this resource, go to: http://landgrant.uttc.edu

School Food Professionals

Local Food Procurement Resources
Guidelines for Purchasing Local Foods
Farm to Cafeteria Connections
Farm To School: A Tool For Success With The New Nutrition Standards

Procuring Montana Beef for Montana Schools
Procurement Facts about Beef
Beef Processors Around Montana

USDA Memo - Procurement Geographic Preference Q&A’s (SP_18_2011)
USDA Memo – Procurement Geographic Preference Q&A’s Part II
How to Apply Geographic Preference – a resource from the National Farm to School Network

Find Montana Food Producers
Abundant Montana: AERO’s Directory to Sustainably Grown Montana Food
Montana Department of Commerce: Made in Montana Program (food/beverage list)

Montana Menu Board: Reusable menu board designed to showcase Montana foods served in cafeterias
Download poster for printingand Instructions
Contact us for printed & laminated posters

Mmm Mmm Montana: Delicious food that is grown right here in Montana Poster
Mmm Mmm Montana Poster Classroom or Cafeteria Activities
Montana Food and Farm Trivia
Mmm Pyramid Adventure Activity
THINK TWO Snack Activity
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo Match Game
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo Match Game Answers

The Traditional Uses of the Buffalo activity was developed by United Tribes Technical College, Bismarck ND, and is part of the Buffalo and Native American Wellness Resource. For more information on this resource, go to: http://landgrant.uttc.edu

Cooks for Kids Season Three: Cooking Green Across America
Episode three of this series features Missoula County Public Schools' Farm to School initiatives.

School Gardens

List of School Gardens in Montana

School Garden Q&A for School Food Service

Webinar: Planting the Seeds of Healthy Eating through School Gardens – April 2011

The Edible Schoolyard
The Edible Schoolyard (ESY) is a program of the Chez Panisse Foundation.  Website resources include garden lesson, kitchen lessons and classroom lessons… and much more. 

Food Safety in the School Garden

Gardening with Kids.org
Lots of resources for conducting fun and engaging activities with children.

Kids Gardening.org
A website created by the National Gardening Association with links to loads of information and resources related to gardening with children.

Nancy’s Garden Kits
Newest feature of the Governor and First Lady's Math & Science Initiative. Nancy's Garden provides a gardening experience for every 4th grade student by supplying grow boxes, seeds, lesson plans and instructions for each classroom.

School Garden Wizard
A resource created for America's K-12 school community through a partnership between the United States Botanic Garden and Chicago Botanic Garden.

Healthy & Local Fundraising

Schools often rely on fundraising activities to supplement budgets and pay for equipment, supplies and events. Unfortunately, these fundraisers often include the sale of unhealthy foods. OPI School Nutrition Programs and Montana Team Nutrition recognize the importance of addressing the availability of healthy food options throughout the school environment, including school fundraising.

Here you will find sample resources to help your school implement a fundraising program that raises money through the sale of Montana-made healthy food products. The sample resources you will find here were developed through the 2008 and 2011 pilot programs organized by Montana Team Nutrition Program and 2009-2011 offerings organized for Bozeman-area schools by Gallatin Valley Farm to School. Feel free to adapt these resources for your needs to develop a fundraising program in your school/district.

Harvest Montana Fundraiser Model
Harvest Montana Fundraiser How to Guide NEW
Simple Guide to Harvest Montana Fundraiser
Harvest Montana Fundraiser Brochure Template
Harvest Montana Fundraiser Order Form Template
Harvest Montana Fundraiser Order Tabulation Spreadsheet
Talking Points for Promotion of Montana Farm to School Fundraiser
Fundraiser Timeline
Sample Announcement/Flyer for Fundraiser
Instructions for Sellers
Sample Order Form
2008 Pilot Report
2011 4-H Pilot ReportNEW

Additional Resources for Healthy Fundraising at School
Webinar: Putting Kids Health First: Profitable and Healthy Fundraisers for Montana Schools – September 2011
Healthy, Creative Ideas for Fundraising: Action for Healthy Kids - Virginia
Sweet Deals: School Fundraising Can be Healthy (Center for Science in
the Public Interest)
Michigan Farm to School: Link to Local Food – Fundraising Information
Farm-Raisers: Fundraising with a Healthy Twist – Center for Food and
Justice
Healthy School Fundraisers: Wisconsin Action for Healthy Kids
Promoting Healthy Fundraising in Our Children’s Schools
NY Farms: Farm to School Fundraising

Links to Lists of Montana Food Producers
Made in Montana: A Program of the Montana Department of Commerce
Abundant Montana – Producer database managed by AERO
Organization (AERO)
University of Montana Farm to College Program: Vendor Links

What is Farm to School Month?

In November 2010, Congress approved a resolution to officially designate October as National Farm to School Month. The passage of House Resolution 1655 demonstrates the growing importance and role of Farm to School programs as a means to improve child nutrition, support local economies and educate children about the origins of food.

National Farm to School Month
This site has numerous resources from activity and menu ideas to posters to a communications toolkit to help you promote your activity.

Webinar: Montana Farm to School Month—Ideas and Resources – October 2012
Get ideas of ways to celebrate Farm to School Month from around Montana. Also, find resources that are available nationally and in Montana. Hosted by Montana Rural Health Initiative.

Sample School Board Resolution
This sample Farm to School Month school board resolution can be adapted for use at any school district. This is a great step to take and easy to do.

Food Day – October 24th
Check out the School Curriculum guide for this day, put your event on the calendar, and receive your Food Day resources.

Farm to School Month Teacher Toolkit
Created by Gallatin Valley Farm to School, this toolkit provides activity ideas and helpful tips for conducting farm field trips.

Taking Root: 2012 Montana Farm to School Conference
Taking Root: Montana Farm to School conference was held August 16-17, 2012 at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. The conference was a great success with ten workshops, three field trips, an open session discussion, networking hour, fabulous speakers, and 140 attendees from all over the state. To facilitate the continued exchange of information after the conference, we have provided conference and workshop materials here.

General Conference Information
Workshop Resources
Open Session Notes

Afterschool Snack Program Production Record
Pages 1-4 Program Description
Page 5 Meal Pattern Requirements
Page 6 Sample Snack Menus
Pages 7-9 Sign In Sheet and Counting Forms
Page 10 Afterschol Snack Program Review
Complete Afterschool Snack Program Packet

Civil Rights Training
Civil Rights Training Requirement Memo
Civil Rights Training
Civil Rights Training Documentation Form
Civil Rights Training Certificate

Contact Information and Complaint Filing
And Justice For All Poster
Civil Rights Complaint Form
Federal Relay Service (FedRelay)

Special Needs
Accommodating Children with Life-Threating Food Allergies
Medical Statement for Children with Disabilities
Medical Statement for Children without Disabilities
National School Boards Association (NSBA) Food Allergy Resources
USDA Special Needs Guidance
NFSMI Special Needs Resources
The Food Allergy Book - What School Employees Need to Know

2012 August Manager Mailing
Cover Memo Fall Mailing 2012-13
Important Dates for School Food Service Managers 2012-13
School Food Service Manager Essentials 2012-13

Forms

Menu Calendar Templates 2012-13
Daily and Weekly Lunch Meal Pattern Requirements Checklist
Letter to Request Sanitation Inspection
NSLP Production Record: Food Based Menu Planning - New
Perpetual Inventory Form
Receiving School Record - New
Standardized Recipe Form - New

Guidance
Creditable and Non-Creditable Foods
Food Buying Guide Calculator for Child Nutrition Programs
Meal Pattern Requirements for Infants and Young Children
National School Lunch Meal Pattern
Offer vs Serve
Offer vs Serve and the New Lunch Meal Pattern

Policy
Discipline During Meal Periods
Early Release and Meal Program Benefits
Food Recovery and Gleaning
Licensure Requirement for Public School Food Service Establishments
School Food Service Area Definition
Student Workers/Helpers

Recipes
Power of Pulses Recipe Guide
Pulses the Perfect Food

Free and Reduced-Priced School Meals Application Memo 2012-13
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application 2012-13
Benefit Issuance List of SNAP Participants
Letter to Households Pricing Program
Letter to Households Non-Pricing Program
Menu Calendar Templates 2012-13
Notice to Households Pricing Program
Notice to Households Non-Pricing Program
Notification of Change in Eligibility
Notice of Direct Certification
Public Release 2012-13
Public Release Non-Pricing Program 2012-13
Student Eligibility Documentation for Transfer Students

Policy
Computing Income for Self-Employed Individuals
Guidance for Release of Confidential Free and Reduced-Price Information
Release of Confidential Free and Reduced-Price Information
School Districts with Schools or Attendance Centers that do not participate in School Nutrition Programs

Eligibility Manual for School Meals NEW
Determining and Verifying Eligibility
Determining and Verifying Eligibility - with updates highlighted

Eligibility Guidelines 2012-13

On-Site Review Checklist – Assessment of the Meal Counting and Claiming System
Daily Meal Count
Daily Meal Count Instructions
Reimbursement Rates 2012-13
Small School/RCCI Point of Service Meal Count Tally

Policy
Adult Meal Prices Memo 2012-13
Meal Counting Requirements Policy
National School Lunch Program Appeal Procedures
School District Charge Policy and Procedure Components

Administrative Update for RCCIs 2012-13

Daily Count Form Special Milk Program
Free Milk Benefits Memo 2012-13
Letter to Households Pricing Program with Free Milk Option
Notice to Households Pricing Program
Public Release Pricing Program Special Milk Program 2012-13
Public Release Non-Pricing Program Special Milk Program 2012-2013
Milk Program Brochure

Administrative Update for Special Provision 2 2012-13
Special Provision Program Non Base Year Benefits Memo 2012-13
Notice to Households - Special Provision 2 2012-2013
Provision 2 Guidance
Public Release - Newsletter Announcement - Special Provision 2 2012-13

Instructions for Verification Greater than 80%
Instructions for Verification Less than 80%
Notification of Selection for Verification
Notice of Verification Results
Summary of Verification 2012-13
Verification Activity Tracker
Verification Deadline Extension Request Form

Childcare Nutrition Resource Center
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=14&tax_level=1
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/childcare.html
These two websites contain a wealth of nutrition resources designed for childcare providers and early childhood educators to teach young chldren healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Eat Smart Play Hard™
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/
This interactive website is about encouraging and teaching kids and adults to eat healthy and be physically active everyday. The website also contains links to a wide variety of resources and tools for teaching young children.

Healthy Start: Wellness Concepts and Behaviors
www.healthy-start.com/prog_healthy.html
Here you will find terrific age-appropriate materials to teach healthy lifestyles to preschoolers. Concepts are presented in the context of songs, stories, rhymes, art projects and other activities.

Kids Health in the Classroom
http://classroom.kidshealth.org/
This website has curriculum materials, categorized by grades, covering many areas of health.

KID-FIT: Physical Education Classes for Preschoolers
http://kid-fit.com/
KID-FIT provides preschool children, their primary caretakers, and educators a structured curriculum for promoting healthy lifestyle habits.

PBS Teacher Source: Health and Fitness
www.pbs.org/teachersource/healthandfitness
Here you will find lesson plans and online activities on many health and fitness topic – plus professional development opportunities tied to PBS programming!

Nutrition Explorations
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/educators/lessons-main.asp
At this website you will find fun, hands-on, and interactive activities from the National Dairy Council. Specific age-appropriate lessons are available for pre-k to upper elementary grades.

Dole 5-A-Day
http://www.dole5aday.com
There is an extensive teacher section to this website. Here you will find resources and lesson plans to encourage children to increase their consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables. The “Jammin’ 5-A-Day Songs” are a must!

MyPyramid Lessons from University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm
Here you will find lesson plans on MyPyramid. Materials are free to download and you will also find links to other great resources.

Cooks for Kids Season Three: Cooking Green Across America
Episode three of this series features Missoula County Public Schools' Farm to School initiatives.

Eat Smart Be Smart: Teaching Nutrition through Math, Science, Language Arts and Health Enhancement Curriculum Guide
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/CurriculumGuides/NutritionEd/
This Montana made curriculum contains a total of 36 lessons (6 per grade level) for grades K-5. Check out the K-2 lessons which not only teach children important nutrition concepts on healthful eating but also reinforce math, science, language art skills. Each lesson is designed for a 30-40 minute time frame.

Fun Fruit and Veggie Lessons
Four step-by-step lesson plans created by Montana Team Nutrition for use with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program or for general nutrition education.

Fruit and Vegetable Classroom Activities
Easy activity ideas and materials from the North Carolina Nutrition Education and Training Program.

My Pyramid for Kids (USDA - Team Nutrition)
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/resources/mypyramidclassroom.html
This website links you to educational materials developed at the elementary school level to help children learn the MyPyramid food guidance system. Lesson plans for teachers are available in three levels: Level 1 (grades 1-2); Level 2 (grades 3-4); and Level 3 (grades 5-6).

Nutrition Explorations
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/educators/lessons-main.asp
At this website you will find fun, hands-on, and interactive activities from the National Dairy Council. Specific age-appropriate lessons are available for pre-k to upper elementary grades.

Pick a Better Snack™ & Act
www.idph.state.ia.us/pickabettersnack/teachers.asp
Here you will find a series of 10 minute lessons that cover MyPyramid, seasonal fruit and vegetables, physical activity and more. Reproducible masters of classroom activities are available here.

Organwise Guys
http://www.organwiseguys.com/
This award winning website has evaluated materials that have been proven effective in helping kids understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. There are some free preview materials. Cost for ordering materials.

Cooking with Kids New Mexico
www.cookingwithkids.net
This site contains many downloadable lessons that support multiple curriculum areas including math, science, social studies, language arts, music and art. Materials are available in English and Spanish. A complete curriculum is available for purchase.

MyPyramid Lessons from University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm
Here you will find lesson plans on MyPyramid. Materials are free to download and you will also find links to other great resources.

PBS Teacher Source: Health and Fitness
www.pbs.org/teachersource/healthandfitness
Here you will find lesson plans and online activities on many health and fitness topic – plus professional development opportunities tied to PBS programming!

Cooks for Kids Season Three: Cooking Green Across America
Episode three of this series features Missoula County Public Schools' Farm to School initiatives.

Eat Smart Be Smart: Teaching Nutrition through Math, Science, Language Arts and Health Enhancement Curriculum Guide
This Montana made curriculum contains a total of 36 lessons (6 per grade level) for grades K-5. Check out the K-2 lessons which not only teach children important nutrition concepts on healthful eating but also reinforce math, science, language art skills. Each lesson is designed for a 30-40 minute time frame.

Fun Fruit and Veggie Lessons
Four step-by-step lesson plans created by Montana Team Nutrition for use with the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program or for general nutrition education.

Fruit and Vegetable Classroom Activities
Easy activity ideas and materials from the North Carolina Nutrition Education and Training Program.

Journey of Milk
http://westerndairyassociation.org/schools/dairy-farm-to-school/
The Journey of Milk is designed for use in upper elementary school classrooms to introduce students to dairy farm operations, the steps in producing and processing milk, interesting facts about cows and the dairy industry, and the nutritional value of dairy foods. Includes 30 student handouts and teacher guide.

My Pyramid for Kids
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/resources/mypyramidclassroom.html This website links you to educational materials developed at the elementary school level to help children learn the MyPyramid food guidance system. Lesson plans for teachers are available in three levels: Level 1 (grades 1-2); Level 2 (grades 3-4); and Level 3 (grades 5-6).

Nancy’s Garden Kits
http://mathscience.mt.gov/pages/nancysgarden.htm Newest feature of the Governor and First Lady's Math & Science Initiative. Nancy's Garden provides a gardening experience for every 4th grade student by supplying grow boxes, seeds, lesson plans and instructions for each classroom.

Nutrition Explorations
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/educators/lessons-main.asp At this website you will find fun, hands-on, and interactive activities from the National Dairy Council. Specific age-appropriate lessons are available for pre-k to upper elementary grades.

Ready, Set, FIT!
www.readysetfit.org Here you will find a curriculum (developed in 2006) on balancing physical activity, healthy eating and emotional well-being. Sponsored by the American Association of Family Physicians (AAFP.

WIN the Rockies Kids Lessons
http://www.uwyo.edu/WINTHEROCKIES_EDUR/WINKidsLessons.asp Here you will find thirteen nutrition, physical activity and body image lessons. Lessons are appropriate for classroom and non-classroom settings and are aligned to national (as well as ID, MT & WY) health education standards. Pre- and post- assessment tools are included.

Pick a Better Snack™ & Act
www.idph.state.ia.us/pickabettersnack/teachers.asp Here you will find a series of 10 minute lessons that cover MyPyramid, seasonal fruit and vegetables, physical activity and more. Reproducible masters of classroom activities are available here.

MyPyramid Lessons from University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm Here you will find lesson plans on MyPyramid. Materials are free to download and you will also find links to other great resources.

PBS Teacher Source: Health and Fitness
www.pbs.org/teachersource/healthandfitness Here you will find lesson plans and online activities on many health and fitness topic – plus professional development opportunities tied to PBS programming!

Kidnetic.com
http://kidnetic.com/ Kidnetic.com is a healthy eating and active living Web site for kids ages 9-12 and their families. The site is intended to encourage kids and their parents to begin the process of behavior change toward healthy lifestyles.

Kidnetic.com Leader’s Guide: Healthy Eating and Active Living Ideas and Activities for Kids and Families
http://ific.org/kidnetic The Leader’s Guide, based on the content and energy of Kidnetic.com, offers 13 peer-reviewed modules, appropriate for use in community-based health education programs.

What’s Cooking in the Classroom Curriculum
http://www.rutgers.njfsnep.org/edu_materials/default.asp Here you will find curriculum materials that cover nutrition concepts through language arts and heritage storytelling lessons. Lessons were designed by teachers and health professionals.

WIN the Rockies Kids Lessons
http://www.uwyo.edu/WINTHEROCKIES_EDUR/WINKidsLessons.asp
Here you will find thirteen nutrition, physical activity and body image lessons. Lessons are appropriate for classroom and non-classroom settings and are aligned to national (as well as ID, MT & WY) health education standards. Pre- and post- assessment tools are included.

MyPyramid Lessons from University of Missouri Extension
http://extension.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm
Here you will find lesson plans on MyPyramid. Materials are free to download and you will also find links to other great resources.

Eat to Be Fit: Nutrition Informational Handouts --
Eat to be Fit is a series of twelve informational handouts for teenagers. These handouts address various nutrition topics that were identified by teens to be of most interest and importance to them.
http://www.opi.mt.gov/programs/healthtopics/fit.html

Your Own Healthy Eating Style Curriculum
This Montana made curriculum is geared for grade 6-8 students and contains six lesson plans that addresses healthy eating strategies, active living and healthy body image.
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/health/bodyimagecurr.pdf

Agriculture in the Classroom
http://www.agclassroom.org/
Agriculture in the Classroom is program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture with the goal of helping students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in society and in their lives. This site has links to quality information as well as terrific science fair ideas!

PBS Teacher Source Health and Fitness
www.pbs.org/teachersource/healthandfitness
Here you will find lesson plans and online activities on many health and fitness topic – plus professional development opportunities tied to PBS programming!

Kidnetic.com
http://kidnetic.com/
Kidnetic.com is a healthy eating and active living Web site for kids ages 9-12 and their families. The site is intended to encourage kids and their parents to begin the process of behavior change toward healthy lifestyles.

Kidnetic.com Leader’s Guide: Healthy Eating and Active Living Ideas and Activities for Kids and Families
http://ific.org/kidnetic/
The Leader’s Guide, based on the content and energy of Kidnetic.com, offers 13 peer-reviewed modules, appropriate for use in community-based health education programs.

Discovering the Food System: An Experiential Learning Program for Young and Inquiring Minds
http://foodsys.cce.cornell.edu
Here you will find an online curriculum for youth ages 12 to 18. Curriculum investigates the entire food system from farm to table and how we, as eaters, are involved in this system. Entire program is downloadable and free!

Center for Young Women’s Health Nutrition and Fitness
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/nutrition_menu.html
The Center for Young Women’s Health at Children’s Hospital Boston provides teen girls and young women with carefully researched health information. There is lots of great information on general nutrition, sports nutrition, overall fitness and eating disorders.

Nutrition Essentials:
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/nut_essentials.pdf
This 2007 resource from USDA’s Team Nutrition contains lesson plans, student worksheets, informational handouts and more to help students make food and physical activity choices that support healthy living. Hard copies of this resource have been sent to schools enrolled in the Team Nutrition program. The entire document is also available online as a pdf file.

Eat to Be Fit: Nutrition Informational Handouts --
Eat to be Fit is a series of twelve informational handouts for teenagers. These handouts address various nutrition topics that were identified by teens to be of most interest and importance to them.
http://www.opi.mt.gov/programs/healthtopics/fit.html

California Project LEAN Resource Library
http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/resourcelibrary/
Here you will find several terrific resources. Jump Start Teens is a series of lesson plans for teens on nutrition and physical activity – these resources have been recently updated. Playing the Policy Game Advocacy Guide is a tool kit intended to help teens interested in making policy change supporting healthy eating and active living.

Nutrition Education for Texas
http://netx.squaremeals.org
Here you will find quick links to lesson plans and nutrition information for many topics and grade levels. All materials align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Kids Health in the Classroom
http://classroom.kidshealth.org/
This website has curriculum materials, categorized by grades, covering many areas of health.

PBS Teacher Source: Health and Fitness
www.pbs.org/teachersource/healthandfitness
Here you will find lesson plans and online activities on many health and fitness topic – plus professional development opportunities tied to PBS programming!

Center for Young Women’s Health: Nutrition and Fitness
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/nutrition_menu.html
The Center for Young Women’s Health at Children’s Hospital Boston provides teen girls and young women with carefully researched health information. There is lots of great information on general nutrition, sports nutrition, overall fitness and eating disorders.

Discovering the Food System: An Experiential Learning Program for Young and Inquiring Minds
http://foodsys.cce.cornell.edu
Here you will find an online curriculum for youth ages 12 to 18. Curriculum investigates the entire food system from farm to table and how we, as eaters, are involved in this system. Entire program is downloadable and free!

Destination Wellness: You’re in the Driver’s Seat
www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/schoolnutrition/Destination_Wellness.htm
Here you will find eight lessons that are aligned with national standards for health education in nutrition for high school students. Lessons are interactive and include a variety of hands-on activities.

Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger
(from the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations)
http://www.feedingminds.org/
Here you will find a virtual classroom with excellent lesson plans addressing the global problems of hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity. The site contains lesson plans, resources and even an interactive forum for students to exchange information with students around the globe.

USDA-FNS Child Nutrition Materials Database
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/schoolmeals/Resource_Cafe/Resource_Search.php
This site will link you to free and other materials from a wide variety of resources. It has a search function that allows you to search for materials according to target audience, publication dates, topic and more.

Eat Smart Play Hard Healthy Lifestyle
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhardhealthylifestyle/
This site is specifically designed for parents and caregivers to provide information to help you eat better, be more physically active and be a role model for your kids.

Team Nutrition: Information for Parents
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/parents.html
Team Nutrition, the nutrition education arm of the school meals program, recognizes the importance role parents play in helping children develop healthy lifestyles. This website links you to a wide variety of Team Nutrition materials and information.

Action for Healthy Kids
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/
Action for Healthy Kids is the only nonprofit organization formed specifically to address the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school. At this website you will find many resources including an entire section dedicated to school wellness policies (Wellness Policy Tool).

MyPyramid
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
The MyPyramid Food Guidance System is the interactive healthy eating campaign to help children and adults make positive change toward healthier living. This site has links to the many interactive aspects of MyPyramid as well as links to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Home Food Safety
http://www.homefoodsafety.org/index.jsp
This website provides information on food borne illnesses and tips to preventing them and safe food handling practices.

Get Growing From The Ground Up!
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Educators/Garden/index.html
This website supports community institutions and partners to play an important role in influencing children's attitudes and behaviors about food and nutrition. It provides ideas for llinking schools and communities by participating directly in local Team Nutrition activities and reinforcing Team Nutrition's healthy eating and physical activity messages.

Team Up at Home: Team Nutrition Activity Booklet
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/teamupbooklet.html
This is a collection of hands-on nutrition education activities for parents to use with their school-age children. This 36-page activity booklet is in a reproducible format for classroom and community use. Printed: May 2007 (revised)

Kidnetic.com Real-Life Guide for Parents: Helping Your Kids Eat Right and Be Active
http://ific.org/publications/brochures/parentsguide.cfm
This Guide from Kidnetic.com is packed with fun, easy—and even time-saving—ideas and tips that can help you lead your kids down the path to a lifetime of healthful habits.

School Wellness Policies
http://www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org/
As of the fall of 2007, all schools in the U.S. that participate in the National School Meals Program were required to have a School Wellness Policy in Place. Learn more about what a school wellness policy means and how schools are implementing these new policies.

Center for Young Women’s Health: Nutrition and Fitness
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/nutrition_menu.html
The Center for Young Women’s Health at Children’s Hospital Boston provides teen girls and young women with carefully researched health information. There is lots of great information on general nutrition, sports nutrition, overall fitness and eating disorders.

National Eatings Disorders Association: Parent Information
http://www.edap.org/
This website has an abundance of accurate information on eating disorders. Under the “Resources” link, there is a section called “Resources for Parents and Family Members”.

School Meals
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/
This is the main website for all USDA school meals programs.

Team Nutrition
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/
Team Nutrition is an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity.

National Food Service Management Institute On-line Training Courses
http://www.nfsmi.org/Templates/TemplateDefault.aspx?qs=cElEPTIzOA
This site has numerous classes available to managers and food service assistants on topics from food safety, portion control, menu planning and food preparation.

Healthy Meals Resource System
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=14&tax_level=1
At this site is a wide array of information for individuals working within school-based child nutrition programs.

Eat Smart Play Hard
http://www.fns.usda.gov/eatsmartplayhard/
This is the main link to USDA’s campaign to help children eat healthfully and live active lifestyles. Click on the “Professionals Making it Happen” link to find resources and materials to incorporate nutrition education within your foodservice program.

MyPyramid
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
The MyPyramid Food Guidance System is the interactive healthy eating campaign to help children and adults make positive change toward healthier living. This site has links to the many interactive aspects of MyPyramid as well as links to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Eat SmartPlay Hard ^TM Cafeteria Kit

Eat Smart, Farm Fresh
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Guidance/Farm-to-School-Guidance_12-19-2005.pdf
This document is a guide to buying and serving locally grown produce in school meals.

Farm to School Procurement Information Package
http://www.foodsecurity.org/procurement.html
This resource from the Community Food Security Coalition provides guidance and resources to school foodservice programs looking to increase the amount of local food offered in their school meals.

HealthierUS School Challenge
Here you will find criteria, instructions and the application packet for the HealthierUS School Challenge Program. This program was put in place to encourage schools to achieve excellence relative to healthy school meals and an environment that supports active living.

Making It Happen: School Nutrition Success Stories
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/nutrition/Making-It-Happen/
This resource, developed through the Centers for Disease Control, illustrates a wide variety of approaches that schools have taken to improve student nutrition. The information is presented as case studies of school nutrition success stories from around the country.

Food Safety School Action Guide
http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/foodsafety/actionguide.htm
Brought to you by CDC and its partners in the National Coalition for Food-Safe Schools, the Action Guide can help schools identify gaps in food safety and develop an action plan for becoming food-safe.

Montana State University Extension Service, Nutrition and Nutrition Education Programs
Food and Nutrition http://www.msuextension.org/nutrition/
Nutrition Education and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Education Programs
http://www.msuextension.org/nep/
 
Local counties agents are available to conduct a regional Nutrition Education for Teachers Class (graduate level college class or for OPI credit), please contact Katie Bark, RD at Montana Team Nutrition Program for more information on this service. Katie can be reached at (406) 994-5641 or by e-mail at kbark@mt.gov
 
Montana Department of Agriculture
Agriculture in Montana Schools : http://agr.mt.gov/aginmtschools/index.htm
Contact Lori Brenneman, Agricultural Literacy Specialist at (406) 437-1906 or by e-mail at lbrenneman@mt.gov
 
Farm to School Program Chapters
Gallatin County  http://gvf2s.wordpress.com/
Chapters are sprouting up all over the state. See the following web site for information in Flathead, and Missoula countieshttp://www.farmtoschool.org/state-programs.php?id=9
 
Eat Right Montana Coalition
http://www.eatrightmontana.org/
 
Montana Action for Healthy Kids Team
http://www.eatrightmontana.org/eatrightafhk.htm
or the National Action for Healthy Kids web site at: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/in-your-state/

Food and Nutrition Service Newsroom
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/newsroom.htm
Here you will be linked to current US nutrition news and also have access to an extensive news archive.

Action for Healthy Kids Newsroom
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/newsroom.php
At the “newsroom” section of the Action for Healthy Kids website, you can find archived news releases, research-based facts and findings on the topics of children’s learning and health and wellness; recent articles that feature Action for Healthy Kids; and monthly newsletters.

Eat Right Montana: Healthy Families Packets
http://www.eatrightmontana.org/eatrighthealthyfamilies.htm
This link will bring you to monthly media packets covering various aspects of healthy eating and active living. Media packets include a cover letter, two educational handouts and a press release.

HealthierUS School Challenge
Each year, more and more Montana schools apply for recognition through the HealthierUS School Challenge program. This website explains the program clearly and will provide important background information for local newspapers covering an award in their region.

Farm to School
http://www.farmtoschool.org/
As Farm to School programs rapidly gain popularity in Montana, this website will help to explain the many facets of a farm to school program. Media groups can find key information by clicking on the Resources link and finds answers to frequently asked questions about Farm to School.

Food Safety and Nutrition Newsroom
http://www.foodinsight.org/News-Room.aspx
The International Food Information Council (IFIC) has created a section of their website dedicated to providing journalists with science-based information and guidance on food safety issues and stories. Not only are there links to recent press releases, journalists will also have access to a section on “Tips for Reporting on Food Safety, Nutrition and Health”.

National Eating Disorders Association: Press Room
http://www.edap.org
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States working to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues. Their website has a link to their press room where they have posted media contact information and guidance for journalists covering the difficult topic of eating disorders.

Developing a School Food Service Program Based on the Process Approach to HACCP Principles

Under this same Act, it is also required that School Food Authorities receive two food safety inspections from the local county sanitarian each year. Food Service Authorities are encouraged to send a written request to their local county sanitarian inviting them to inspect their program to meet this new requirement. Utilize the sample memorandum on school stationary in corresponding with local sanitarians.
Letter to Request Sanitation Inspection

Schools should have a Food Safety -HACCP Plan started by the end of school year 2005-06. The USDA recognizes that HACCP is a process that takes time, and that LEAs may be in different stages of readiness by the end of the school year. Education and training is a critical step and the foundation of implementing an effective food safety plan. It is recommended that schools follow the steps outlined in this handout:
Steps to Developing a Food Safety/HACCP Plan

The Office of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Programs has partnered with other food safety stakeholders to meet common food safety training needs and requirements in Montana. The Montana School-Based HACCP Partnership Team includes the Office of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Programs, Montana State University (MSU) Extension Food and Nutrition, Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), the Montana Department of Livestock and MSU College of Agriculture.

Serving It Safe, 3rd Edition provides foodservice personnel at all levels with an up-to-date source of information for managing a safe and sanitary foodservice operation. Use this resource to train a new employee or as a basis of an in-service on a review of important key food safety concept for all employees.
http://nfsmi-web01.nfsmi.olemiss.edu/ResourceOverview.aspx?ID=327

• ServSafe Trainings Scheduled in Montana, 2013
• ServSafe Food Safety Training 8 hour* - Certification This intensive ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Training of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) will give foodservice managers the knowledge they need to understand HACCP concepts. Participants are given an in-depth knowledge of food safety and sanitation. The certification is good for 5 years and must be retaken every five years as recommended by the NRA.
• ServSafeFood Safety Training 4 hour - Employee This basic ServSafe Training of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) will give foodservice employees the knowledge they need to understand the basics of food safety and sanitation. This class is recommended for all employees and should be taken immediately upon employment or within the first year of employment. It should be taken every five years as recommended by the NRA.

*Foodservice Managers are required to be ServSafe certified prior to attending a School HACCP training.
Go To: Official ServSafe Web Site

Regional and statewide training sessions are offered throughout the school year. There is no charge for attending these workshops. They are conducted by a team of trainers from OPI, MSU Extension and a local county health department (sanitarian).

Training workshops are based on materials developed by the National Food Service Management Institute (http://www.nfsmi.org/) They include:

Workshop Participant Workbook:
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/schoolfood/HACCP/developing_fs_wkbk.pdf

Montana Workshops PowerPoint Slide Presentation
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/schoolfood/HACCP/HACCPFall06dev_fs.pdf

Based on the NFSMI materials, a school can utilize the following items to develop their plan:

Montana Template Plan:
http://www.opi.mt.gov/Pdf/SchoolFood/HACCP/Version11-06dev_fs.doc

USDA's Recipes for schools (2006 version)
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/usda_recipes.html

Food Storage Temperature Monthly Log Chart:
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/SchoolFood/HACCP/FoodStorageTemperatureChart.doc

HACCP Based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): (from NFSMI)
http://sop.nfsmi.org/HACCPBasedSOPs.php

Types of Food Thermometers:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/food_safety_education/Types_of_Food_Thermometers/index.asp

Food Temperature Chart:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/thermy

National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI):
http://www.nfsmi.org

Choice Plus Food Safety Supplement
http://nfsmi-web01.nfsmi.olemiss.edu/DocumentDownload.aspx?id=142

FDA Food Code:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/default.htm

FDA Food Safety
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov

A Biosecurity Checklist for School Foodservice Programs
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/hsmrs/biosecurity.pdf

ACDA Food Safety/Food Defense Response Plan
http://www.commodityfoods.org/files/FOOD SAFETY RESPONSE PLAN.doc

Noroviruses and Food Handlers:
http://www.opi.mt.gov/Pdf/SchoolFood/HACCP/NorovirusesFoodHandlers.pdf

Noroviruses Information Sheet for Food Handlers
http://www.opi.mt.gov/Pdf/SchoolFood/HACCP/11SeptNorovirusInfoSheet.pdf

DPHHS School Retail Licensing Memo
http://www.opi.mt.gov/pdf/SchoolFood/HACCP/11DPHHSSchoolRetailLicensingMemo.pdf

These websites provide the latest information on all food recalls and alerts as well as food illness outbreaks. 

http://www.foodsafety.gov/

http://www.recalls.gov/food.html