CA Intersessional Meals Grant, CA Surveys & Bay2Tray

Here’s what you need to know this week:

CA Intersessional Meals Grant

CDE recently announced a one-time, state-funded grant to provide free meals to students during school breaks that are less than 10 operating days. This includes the ability to offer grab n’ go meals! With recent cuts to SNAP and grocery prices at an all-time high, this is a great way to boost food security in our communities. 👏

Review this email communication for more information and consider opting in! It’s a super easy online opt-in form that is due by Nov. 9!

CA Surveys

There are several voluntary surveys we encourage folks to provide input on, if possible! Responses will help inform future policy decisions impacting our programs:

• AB 1264 Survey – CDPH is seeking public input to help define "ultraprocessed foods of concern" and "restricted school foods." Due Nov. 15.
• KIT Survey – Share your feedback on CA’s Kitchen Infrastructure and Training (KIT) program to help inform policymakers about the program’s impact on meal access and quality! Due Nov. 20.
• CACFP Language Needs Survey – Complete by Nov. 14.

💡 Nationwide: ICN is also doing a national research study on salary and compensation practices in school meal programs across the U.S.! Fill it out here.

Bay2Tray

As Farm to School month comes to a close, we thought it’d be fun to share an update on the USDA HMI grant that we’ve been working on since 2023 via Project SCALES. LunchAssist is the lead technical assistance partner, and in this role we’ve had the great honor to work with so many amazing local food friends from across the country. 💖

Today we’re spotlighting a super special Project SCALES grantee, Jenn Lovewell, RDN, a former California School Nutrition Director who leads the Bay2Tray program at Real Good Fish. Jenn originally started Bay2Tray over a decade ago at Monterey Peninsula USD and has been working ever since to connect cafeterias with local seafood that benefits both kids and the environment. Some of her favorite ways to do this: Blue catfish and rockfish fillets, which can be used interchangeably in ceviche with chips & fish tacos. Or try these blue catfish patties, which were featured yesterday on NPR, and the kids lovingly nicknamed the “catty patty!” 🥹 Congrats to Jenn and all of the other project partners!

⭐️ Resources

• October Checklist
• SNP Verification Checklist
• Farm to School Resources
• Net Cash Resources Calculator + Instructions
• Training Library Course Catalog
• ICYMI! The Lunch Break Oct. 1 Recording

📆 Upcoming Events

• ✨ Oct. 29: Strengthening Farm to School Initiatives for Sustainable Success - ICN x LunchAssist!
• Oct. 29: CA Farm to School Network Call - CDFA
• Nov. 3: Grain Expectations: Mastering CACFP Requirements - CDSS
• ✨ Nov. 19: Our next New & Aspiring Directors Academy (NADA) call!

LunchAssist is an allowable use of the Cafeteria Fund, KIT Funds, and R&R Grant. 🥳 Schedule a demo to learn more.