School Nutrition
News & Announcements
Complete the Governor's Scorecard on Nutrition and Physical Activity!
School Nutrition COVID-19 Information
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has been working closely with the Governor’s Office, the Virginia Department of Health, and other state agencies to ensure our public schools and communities have the most up-to-date information and resources. The health and safety of our children and staff are our top priorities. Visit COVID-19 & Virginia Public Schools for access to the latest updates. Information specific to school nutrition is provided below.
Approved Meal Service Sites
- List of Approved Meal Service Sites as of September 26, 2022 (XLS) - This list is subject to change. Please confirm meal service with your local school division.
Call 2-1-1 for more information regarding meal service in your area.
Communication from the Office of School Nutrition
The VDOE has provided the following memos regarding COVID-19 and meal options for feeding students:
Read all memoranda from the Office of School Nutrition Programs to school nutrition directors and supervisors.
Resources
- 2022 - 2023 Back-to-School Toolkit (Word)
- 2021 - 2022 Back-to-School Toolkit (Word)
- 2020 - 2021 Back-to-School Toolkit (Word)
- Press Release for Operating the National School Lunch Program (Word)
- Press Release for Operating the Seamless Summer Option (Word)
- Press Release for Operating the Summer Food Service Program (Word)
- Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) - P-EBT is a federal supplemental food assistance program available to certain eligible students. P-EBT does not take the place of school meals. Students and families should continue to participate in the school meal programs that are available at no cost to all students through the 2021-2022 school year, even if they receive P-EBT. Visit the Virginia Department of Social Services P-EBT webpage for more information.
Welcome
Studies show that well-nourished students are better prepared to learn. To that end, schools help provide a healthy environment through nutritious meals, healthy snacks, and opportunities for physical and nutrition education. Through school nutrition programs approximately 112,700 million lunches, 57 million breakfasts, and 1.4 million afterschool snacks are served during the school year in Virginia public schools.
The VDOE Office of School Nutrition Programs is committed to supporting school nutrition programs in the Commonwealth, ensuring that every Virginia child has healthy food options and opportunities for nutrition education. We strive to set the precedent for school nutrition by being purposeful in placing a spotlight on its significance in improving health as well as supporting academic outcomes.
Footnote
*Based on 2021-2022 data.
School Year 2021-2022
- 60 million+ breakfast served – includes NSLP free, NSLP reduced, NSLP paid, SSo and SFSP meals served in schools
- 68 million+ breakfast served – includes NSLP free, NSLP reduced, NSLP paid, SSo and SFSP meals served in schools
- 1.5 million+ includes SFSP and at-risk CACFP meals served through community sponsors
- 4000+ includes schools and community sponsors
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Virginia Department of Education, Office of School Nutrition Programs (VDOE-SNP) promotes, supports, and sustains Virginia’s school and child nutrition programs, which play a critical role in food and nutrition security, as well as student wellness and academic achievement. We are dedicated to serving schools, children, families, and communities through:
- Program Administration: We administer the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Special Milk Program (SMP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and the At-Risk portion of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
- Training and Technical Assistance: We offer annual training events including Spring and Fall Regional Director’s Meetings, Director’s Conference, New Director’s Academy, and Summer Manager’s Workshop, where we share policy updates, showcase best practices, and provide resources. Topical and relevant trainings and workshops provide current applicable professional development for school and community program sponsors.
- Grants and Initiatives: We implement grant projects and initiatives that enhance our programs and create opportunities for innovations in school and child nutrition program operations.
- Farm to School Grant: procure Virginia grown or regionally sourced foods in school meals programs benefiting students, farmers, and communities.
- Team Nutrition Training Grant: Enhance the Virginia Harvest of the Month program through the development of standardized recipes featuring local agricultural products and accompanying nutrition education and marketing materials.
- Virginia Food for Virginia Kids Initiative: Advance freshly prepared, Virginia grown and regional foods and culturally inclusive meals throughout the Commonwealth.
Vision
The VDOE-SNP is committed to ensuring equitable access to freshly prepared, appealing, nutritious, locally sourced, and culturally-inclusive meals nourishing the minds and physical wellbeing of all students across the Commonwealth.
School Nutrition Calendar
Go to the School Nutrition Programs Calendar for information about upcoming events.
Tell Us about Your School Nutrition Events!
Please complete the Virginia School Nutrition Events Form to share all nutrition-related events, awards, and recognitions happening in your school division.
USDA Procurement Review Information
All USDA procurement review files, including those listed below are now located in the Download Forms section of SNPWeb.
- Farm to School Local Procurement Revised
- Writing Bid Specifications
- Written Procurement Procedures Template
- Code of Conduct Sample Template
- Informal Procurement Log Template
- USDA Procurement Review Tool
- Vended Meal Contract Template
Procedures for Contracting with a Food Service Management Company
School and child nutrition program sponsors considering contracting for food service with a private "for profit" food service management company (FSMC) are required to contact the Virginia Department of Education, School Nutrition Program (VDOE-SNP) before initiating the procurement process. All sponsors must use the VDOE-SNP Request for Proposals (RFP) Prototype Template (Word), effective January 2021. Federal and state requirements for the contract must be followed. The VDOE-SNP provides technical assistance to the sponsor to assure that the regulations and requirements are met.
Procuring the services of a FSMC requires using formal purchasing procedures and providing for open and free competition. Contracts are written for one year with the option to renew the contract for an additional four subsequent years. All contracts end on June 30. The VDOE-SNP requires the effective date of all initial contracts to begin July 1.
The VDOE-SNP administers the federal School and child nutrition programs in Virginia on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The VDOE-SNP has developed the following guidance: tentative timeline for the FSMC RFP process and the mandatory VDOE-SNP RFP prototype template.
The school food authority (SFA) must read and fully understand the contents of this RFP. This RFP template is mandatory. The SFA remains responsible for the overall operation of the school nutrition programs. The SFA does not relinquish control of the SNP operations to the FSMC. The SFA is ultimately responsible for closely monitoring the terms of the FSMC contract and the FSMC daily activities.
The SFA is responsible for drafting the RFP using the mandatory template, menus, bid protest procedures, and attachments. As specified in Title 2 CFR §200.319(a), a person or organization that develops or drafts specifications and/or requirements for the RFP used by an SFA conducting procurement under the USDA entitlement programs shall be excluded from competing for such procurements.
Allow adequate time to complete all processes. Please see the tentative timeline below.
2022-2023 Timeline for FSMC RFP Process
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| RFP/BID draft issued to the VDOE-SNP for approval | April 1, 2022 |
| All contract documents due to the VDOE-SNP for review | May 27, 2022 |
| All FSMC contracts executed | June 30, 2022 |
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
- fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.