School Nutrition
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 March 8, 2021 -This is an excel spreadsheet. - 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
- Back-to-School Toolkit-This is an excel spreadsheet.
- Press Release for Operating the National School Lunch Program-This is an excel spreadsheet.
- Press Release for Operating the Seamless Summer Option-This is an excel spreadsheet.
- Press Release for Operating the Summer Food Service Program-This is an excel spreadsheet.
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 2018-2019 data.↩
School Year 2018-2019
- Cafeterias serving 1,881 lunches
- Cafeterias serving 1,864 breakfasts
- 1,292,263 students participating in NSLP
- 57,199,482 Breakfasts served
- 112,741,337 Lunches served
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
- Farm to School Local Procurement Revised (PDF)
- Writing Bid Specifications-This is a PPT presentation.
- Written Procurement Procedures Template (Word) – updated November 2020
- Code of Conduct Sample Template (Word)
- Informal Procurement Log Template (Word)
- USDA Procurement Review Tool (XLS)
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-This is a Word document., 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.
2021-2022 Timeline for FSMC RFP Process
| Activity | Date |
| RFP/BID draft issued to the VDOE-SNP for approval | February 19, 2021 |
| RFP/BID returned to the SFA for publishing | Pending VDOE-SNP approval Tentative March 1, 2021 |
| All contract documents due to the VDOE-SNP for review | April 1, 2021 |
| All FSMC contracts executed | July 1, 2021 |
USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.