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General Program Compliance

Civil Rights

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) requires School Food Authorities (SFAs) to administer program services and benefits in accordance with all laws, regulations, instructions, policies, and guidance related to nondiscrimination in program delivery.  

Visit the ODE CNP Civil Rights web page for more information.

SFA On-Site Monitoring

The State Agency must determine that each School Food Authority (SFA) with more than one school operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) performs at least one on-site review. This on-site review must evaluate the lunch counting and claiming system used by the school and must observe the general areas of review that are readily observable in each school under its jurisdiction.

 The State Agency (SA) must also ensure that each SFA with more than one school operating the School Breakfast Program (SBP) performs at least one on-site review. The on-site review must evaluate the breakfast counting and claiming system used by the school and must observe the readily-observable general areas of review. A minimum of 50 percent of the schools operating the SBP under the SFA's jurisdiction must be monitored at least once every two years.

 The on-site reviews must occur by February 1 of each year.

Local School Wellness Policy and School Meal Environment

Schools play a critical role in promoting children's health, preventing childhood obesity, and preventing diet-related chronic diseases.  To help foster a healthy school environment, Section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger Free-Kids Act added a Section 9A to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) to expand the scope of wellness policies. 

School districts can develop wellness policies to meet the unique needs of each school under its jurisdiction, but at a minimum are required to:

  • Include goals for nutrition promotion and education, physical activity, and other school-based activities that promote students wellness. In developing these goals, local educational agencies must review and consider evidence-based strategies.
  • Include nutrition guidelines for all foods sold on each school campus during the school day that are consistent with federal regulations for school meal and Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
  • Include policies for foods and beverages made available to students (e.g., in classroom parties, classroom snacks brought by parents, other foods given as incentives).
  • Include policies for food and beverage marketing that allow marketing and advertising of only those foods and beverages that meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
  • Permit parents, students, representatives of the school food authority, teachers of physical education, school health professionals, the school board, school administrators, and the general public to participate in the development, implementation, and update of the local school wellness policy.
  • Identify one or more school districts or school officials who have the authority and responsibility to ensure each school complies with the policy.
  • Inform and update the public (including parents, students, and others in the community) about the local school wellness policy on an annual basis.
  • At least once every 3 years, measure how schools are in compliance with the local school wellness policy, the extent to which the local education agency’s local wellness policy compares to model local school wellness policies, and the progress made in attaining the goals of the local wellness policy. Make the assessment available to the public.
​The Oregon Smart Snacks Standards, or other nutrition standards set by the district, should extend to all foods offered on the school campus including celebrations, rewards, and snacks.

Celebrations
Rewards
​Any foods and beverages marketed or promoted to students on the school campus during the school day need to meet or exceed the USDA and Oregon Smart Snacks nutrition standards.


“Food and beverage marketing” is defined as advertising and other promotions in schools. This includes oral, written, or graphic statements made for the purpose of promoting the sale of a food or beverage product made by the producer, manufacturer, seller, or any other entity with a commercial interest in the product.
Good nutrition and the ability to learn are intrinsically linked. Providing access to healthy foods at school - through foods offered or sold during the school day - not only supports students’ nutrition and develops lifelong eating habits, but also reinforces the nutrition education they receive in class.

Most schools engage in four to five fundraisers per year. School fundraisers can promote student, family, and community involvement and activity, part that promotes family and community involvement. Healthy fundraisers can be fun while keeping in step with health messages that students are learning in school. Below are a list of resources that include healthy fundraising ideas.

​The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through the promotion of nutrition and physical activity. In February 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama introduced Let’s Move!, incorporating the HealthierUS School Challenge into her campaign to raise a healthier generation of kids. At that time, monetary incentive awards became available for each HUSSC award level: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold Award of Distinction.

Resources
​Local Wellness Policies
Local Wellness Policies are an important vehicle for enhancing and sustaining school wellness efforts. Each local educational agency that participates in the National School Lunch Program or other federal Child Nutrition programs is required by federal law to establish a local school wellness policy for all schools under its jurisdiction.

We encourage you to view this Ted Talk by Sam Kass, this video describes the intent behind school wellness policies.

Engage school staff and parents in school wellness using these ready-to-go communication tools. Sharing news about your local school wellness policy is easy with these flyers, presentations, newsletter articles, and social media posts. Your school can personalize them to make them specific to your local school wellness policy activities.

Wellness Policy Resources
    To request a copy of the newest model local wellness policy, please contact staff at the Oregon School Boards Association policy services department or call 800-578-6722 or 503-588-2800 
    Triennial Assessment Tools
    Physical activity during the school day helps students concentrate, pay attention, and improve classroom behavior. Schools, where most of the students engage in physical activity every week, show bigger gains in test scores than other schools. Comprehensive physical activity programs include physical education and before, during, and afterschool opportunities for students to be physically active.

    Physical Education and Physical Activity Resources
    This section contains information particularly relevant to those working in organizations that support school health efforts.

    Oregon Healthy Schools
    Schools and communities working together for healthy, successful students and staff speaking

    Education’s Language - A Guide for Public Health Professionals Working in the Education Sector
    Public health professionals are experts in their field but are often not as familiar with the systems, structure, language, policies, and priorities that drive the education partner they are working with. Those who have worked in school health often speak of the sharp learning curve that exists for those working on health initiatives in the education environment
    .
     Health and Academic Achievement
    Public health and education professionals can use this resource to share the link between healthy eating, physical activity, and improved academic achievement to engage stakeholders in working together to support healthy school environments. Public health and education professionals can use this resource to share the link between healthy eating, physical activity, and improved academic achievement to engage stakeholders in working together to support healthy school environments.

     Healthy Schools CDC
    School Nutrition Environment. Childhood Nutrition Facts. Obesity Prevention. Youth Obesity Maps (2003-2015) Physical Activity. Youth Physical Activity Guidelines. Chronic Conditions. Asthma. Local School Wellness Policy. Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Virtual Healthy School, and more.

     School Physical Activity & Nutrition Environment Tool (SPAN-ET)
    The School Physical Activity and Nutrition Environment Tool (SPAN-ET) was developed to assess school resources and readiness to improve nutrition and physical activity environments suggest appropriate improvement strategies, and score impacts resulting from environmentally-based treatments

    Place Matters Oregon
    Place Matters Oregon is an effort of the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division that seeks to foster conversations about how place influences our individual and collective health

    How Schools Work and How to Work with Schools
    Key resources to work with schools. Key resources to work with schools.
    CDC Healthy School Resources​
    Fostering the physical and mental health of school employees also helps to support students’ health and academic success. Every school employee, no matter the role they play, contributes to a school’s mission. School staff can give their best when they feel their best. School employee wellness programs can help.

    Schools can provide an employee wellness program for staff that includes healthy eating and physical activity services. When staff model these healthy behaviors, they can reinforce them with students.

    Additionally, supporting school employee wellness programs can

    • Improve staff retention and productivity.
    • Decrease employee absenteeism.
    • Decrease employee health care costs.

    The organizations listed below help support school wellness through grant funding and technical assistance.

    Fuel Up to Play 60!
    Funding opportunities are available to any qualified K‐12 school enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60. Sponsored by the National Dairy Council, state and regional Dairy Councils and other supporting organizations, the competitive, nationwide funding program provides money to jumpstart healthy changes.

    OEA Choice Trust
    The mission of OEA Choice Trust is to provide expertise and resources to help Oregon public schools employees create comprehensive and flexible wellness programs to build a culture of wellness that becomes the norm in school workplaces. This page provides grant opportunities and awards to help schools to support this school employee wellness.

    Action for Healthy Kids
    Schools need resources to implement health and wellness practices that help students eat better and be physically active. Thanks to our partners, Action for Healthy Kids has provided $6.6 million in grants to schools since 2009. Our School Grants for Healthy Kids can help your school health team achieve its goal to make every kid healthy and ready to learn.

    Oregon Child Nutrition Programs
    This page is dedicated to assisting sponsors with grant opportunities for their school nutrition programs.
    ​The word data essentially means information. Data provides information to on how well interventions work. Gathering data over time or from different sources allows you to see patterns, gaps, and determine where to put your efforts. Data collection should occur at the local (school and district) level. Include school and district-level data into grant applications. The sites listed below will provide a balcony view of the data – providing information at the state and national level. Data visualization helps the user effectively communicate data analysis to others.

    Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Weight
    Data visualization 
    Oregon Specific Data
    • Oregon Healthy Teens (OHT) is Oregon's effort to monitor the health and well-being of adolescents. An anonymous and voluntary research-based survey, OHT is conducted among 8th and 11th graders statewide. The OHT survey incorporates two youth surveys that preceded it, the YRBS and the Student Drug Use Survey.(OHT) is Oregon's effort to monitor the health and well-being of adolescents. An anonymous and voluntary research-based survey, OHT is conducted among 8th and 11th graders statewide. The OHT survey incorporates two youth surveys that preceded it, the YRBS and the Student Drug Use Survey.
    • Oregon Healthy Growth Survey provides an important opportunity to understand and address childhood obesity in Oregon and identify populations at greatest risk. It is the first to present body mass index (BMI) assessments for first, second and third-grade students attending Oregon elementary schools. This information will serve as a baseline and be used to inform evidence-based prevention strategies designed to ensure healthy growth for all Oregon children.
    National Data (Oregon profiles are included in some reports)
    School Health Profiles monitors school health policies and practices in states, large urban school districts, territories, and tribal governments. Profiles surveys are conducted biennially by education and health agencies among middle and high school principals and lead health education teachers.

    Food Insecurity Data

    Smart Snacks in Schools 

    Schools must meet the minimum requirements in 7 CFR 210.11 for all foods and beverages sold in school (also known as Smart Snacks in School) to increase the consumption of healthful foods during the school day and support a healthy school environment.  The State Agency's (SA) responsibility is to understand the entities responsible for selling foods/beverages to students and to ensure that food and beverages sold meet the minimum requirements established in 7 CFR 210.11.

    The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required USDA to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools beyond the federally-supported school meals programs. Oregon proactively set nutrition standards for non-program foods sold in schools prior to this, starting with House Bill 2650 and put into law, ORS 336.423, first implemented in 2008-09 School Year. In July 2014, USDA implemented Interim Final Rule Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, also known as Smart Snacks. In response, Oregon amended its Nutrition Standards to be more aligned with federal Smart Snacks in House Bill 2404 as of July 1, 2015. To assist Oregon Schools, participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP), State Agency carefully blended the two sets of rules creating what is called, Oregon Smart Snacks Standards. Below are the tools and regulations for Oregon schools participating in the NSLP and/or SBP to ensure compliance.

    Tools
    Oregon Smart Snacks Calculators
    School Nutrition Sponsors and all Public Schools must use the ODE CNP calculators below to validate all non-program foods sold to students in Oregon schools.
    Guidance and Regulations
    Resources
    For additional information or questions, contact the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs by
    Email: ODE School Nutrition or Phone: 503-947-5894.

    Professional Standards

    The Professional Standards regulations in 7 CFR 210.30 establish hiring standards for new school nutrition program directors at the School Food Authority (SFA) level. In addition, the regulations establish annual training standards for all school nutrition program directors, managers, and staff. The required annual training hours vary according to the employee's role in the management and operation of the school nutrition program.
     

    Professional Standards | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)

    Professional Standards At a Glance

    Water

    While water must be made available to students during meal service, program operators are not to promote or offer water or any other beverage as an alternative selection to fluid milk throughout the food service area.

    Free, safe, unflavored drinking water needs to be available to all students on the school campus during the school day and where school meals are served during mealtimes.

    Water sources may include drinking fountains, water jugs, hydration stations, water jets and other methods for delivering drinking water.
    For additional information or questions, contact the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs by
    Email: ODE School Nutrition or Phone: 503-947-5894.

    Food Safety, Storage, and Buy America

    It is the School Food Authority's (SFA) responsibility to ensure that all selected schools meet the food safety and storage requirements and the regulations.  This includes any facility where food is stored, prepared, or served for the purposes of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), or other Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs. The SFA's also must ensure that all schools comply with the Buy American provision and policy.

    Refer to the following At a Glance documents for guidance on food safety:
    The 2004 Reauthorization Act included a provision requiring all school food authorities to implement a school food-safety program based on HAACP principles in every school building. USDA, the National Food Service Management Institute, and SNA all have provided guidance, resources, and training for operators.

    Implementing HAACP is not a one-time endeavor but rather an ongoing systematic program that needs to be updated and maintained every year. The food safety program begins with the "Process Approach" to HAACP, which groups menu items into three key categories according to how many times each item passes through the temperature danger zone, then assigns "critical control points" and limits to foods in each of the categories using what is called Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
    Procurement is another word for purchasing. All sponsors using Federal non-profit food service funds must follow applicable procurement regulations. Conducting proper procurement helps to ensure that sponsors receive the best product possible for the best price. It also helps to ensure there is free and open competition and that taxpayer funds are being spent wisely. 

    Visit the ​Nutrition Procurement Resources web page for more information.

    Reporting and Recordkeeping 

    The School Food Authority's (SFA)  must submit reports as required by the State agency, and maintain other Program records for a period of three years after submission of the final Claim for Reimbursement for the fiscal year.  If audit findings have not been resolved, the three-year period is extended as long as required for the resolution of audit issues.  Additionally, the record retention period required by a State may exceed the three-year period. (7 CFR 210.23(c))

    Retention of records. State agencies and school food authorities may retain necessary records in their original form or on microfilm. School food authority records shall be retained for a period of 3 years after submission of the final Claim for Reimbursement for the fiscal year. In either case, if audit findings have not been resolved, the records shall be retained beyond the 3-year period as long as required for the resolution of the issues raised by the audit.

    School Breakfast Program and Summer Food Program Outreach

    School Food Authority's (SFA) must inform families of the availability of breakfasts offered under the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and meals offered through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). 

    At the beginning of each school year, when free and reduced price meal applications are sent to households, the SFA must notify families of the availability of the SBP.  In addition, schools should send reminders regarding the availability of the SBP multiple times throughout the school year.

    Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) also requires schools to conduct SFSP outreach before the end of the academic school year to ensure that eligible families are informed of the availability and location of SFSP meals.

    A the beginning of each school year, when free and reduced price meal applications are sent to households, the SFA must notify families of the availability of the SBP. In addition, schools should send reminders regarding the availability of the SBP multiple times throughout the school year.

    FNS also requires schools to conduct SFSP outreach before the end of the academic school year to ensure that eligible families are informed of the availability and location of SFSP meals.​

    Refer to the Summer Meals Outreach At a Glance​ for further guidance.