Fresh Bites Winter Edition 2022

2022 Position Paper

Provide $5 million dollars in equipment grant money to help update New York State school kitchens • NYS received 543 applications for equipment requests which totaled approximately $5 million. NYS was only able to fund a total of 159 equipment grant awards to 127 Recipient Agencies (RA) in 59 SFA’s, totaling $1,805,067. • Many school food service programs throughout the state are working with antiquated, non-energy efficient equipment which in turn is negatively affecting the environment. Providing equipment grants could be a great use of taxpayer dollars. The 3,500+ members of the NYSNA also support the New York Grown Food For New York Kids “Coalition” (NYGFFNYK) with the following initiatives: Expand the 30% program to include all school meals, increase reimbursement, codify program, and call for a rulemaking process, and maintain the $10 million placeholder. • Expand student access to healthy local foods at more meals during the school day and increase school food purchases from New York producers. This can reduce the administrative burden related to separating lunch purchases from other meal purchases. Codify and grow Farm to School grant programs • Help increase the capacity of schools to procure and serve New York State farm products in school meal programs. Build sustainable, inclusive, and culturally relevant or responsive Farm to School programs. Raise small purchase threshold to match federal level • Enable schools to purchase food more easily from New York farmers and producers, who often find it challenging to participate in formal bidding and procurement processes.

School Nutrition Professionals mobilized immediately when the pandemic closed school doors statewide back in March of 2020. Despite the many challenges they were subjected to such as staff shortages, supply chain issues and increased operating costs, they continued to ensure student access to healthy school meals at no charge for all students, through extension of federal waivers which are set to expire on June 30, 2022. School breakfast, lunch, summer meals and afterschool meals have offered a lifeline for families struggling with economic uncertainty. These programs, proven to fuel student success and combat child hunger and obesity, will be critical to our state’s recovery. To support the health and achievement of New York’s students and ensure the financial sustainability of school meal programs, the 3,500+ members of the New York School Nutrition Association (NYSNA) call on New York elected officials to: Beginning in school year 2022-2023, provide healthy school meals at no charge for all students in New York State – regardless of income. • Provide all students equal access to school breakfast and lunch and eliminate any stigma or barriers for students. Nutritious school meals are proven to support learning, improve attendance, classroom behavior and contribute to overall health and wellness. • Ensure that no child goes hungry during the school day or accrues unpaid meal debt, a burden on both families anad school district budgets. • Ensure that over 2,000 schools and nearly 800,000 students in New York State will continue to have access to healthy meals at no charge once the waivers expire on June 30, 2022.

N Y S N A H A S A H U G E A N N O U N C E M E N T … The Public Policy & Legislation committee is excited to unveil our Virtual Legislative Action Conference (LAC) for 2022! Do you feel passionate about healthy school meals for all? Do you want the opportunity to speak with leg- islators about your personal experience as a food service director? Do you want to advocate on behalf of all students in New York State? Then LAC is for you! We are offering an opportunity for you to meet with your local state legislators from the comfort of your own office without the hassle of traveling. NYSNA will also be providing seminars to learn about advocacy and other national and local school nutrition updates. We will kick off this year’s LAC on Tuesday, Janu- ary 25th with a General Session from 9:00-11:00am and legislative appointments will be scheduled during January 25-28, 2022. Do not feel intimidated --NYSNA is here for you. We will be providing you with talking points and power point slides to help guide your conversation with your legislator. We will even book the legislative appointments for you! If you are a first timer, not sure to what to expect or just need a refresher course, we have you covered! We will be providing a complimentary tools and tips session on January 24th, 2022, with NYSNA’s lobbyist. Afraid to meet with the legislator alone or for the first time? No problem! We have created a buddy system to ensure everyone is comfortable during their meetings. Click here to learn about NYSNA’s 2022 legislative agenda Join our Public Policy & Legislation Committee along with NYSNA’s lobbyist, Christine Tramontano, Malkin & Ross, Jessica Pino-Goodspeed, LMSW, Hunger Solutions NY, and Mikaela Ruiz-Ramón, American Farmland Trust as we bring you both national updates to keep you informed about what is going on in New York State. We also have a couple of very special guests popping in to say hello! If you want to register for NYSNA’s virtual LAC click HERE!

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FreshBites

WINTER 2022

FreshBites

WINTER 2022

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