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Carol H Gilbert Consulting is currently holding in-person classes. Class sizes are limited, and the use of a face covering is required during the class. Some activities have been eliminated or modified to avoid contact and extended interaction with other students. We are taking reservations for on-site classes. If you have several people in need of certification, please contact us for additional information.

July 9, 2019

UNDERSTANDING USDA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act required USDA to establish Professional Standards for School Nutrition professionals.  The final regulation was posted on March 2, 2015, in the Federal Register. The regulation provides requirement criteria to be used by the School Food Authority when filling the position of the SFS Director. Hiring a skilled Director helps to ensure the program is in overseen by someone with prior experience and educational expertise.

School Food Authorities with enrollments of 2,499 or less the School Nutrition Director (SND) should hold a High School Diploma or equivalent and 3 years of food service experience.  Schools with enrollments of 2,500 to 9,999 the SND should have a Bachelor of Science and 2 years of experience.  Districts of 10,000 and up, the SND should hold a Bachelor of Science and 5 years of experience.

The standards also identify the number of training hours for three categories of school nutrition staff.  USDA has identified four key areas of training to build skills and expertise in school nutrition.  The areas are Nutrition, Operations, Administration, and Communication/Marketing.  

Beginning in SY 2015 – 2016 staff will need to receive the following number of hours. Beginning on April 1 you can accumulate training hours and count them toward the requirements for 2015 – 2016.

  • School Nutrition Staff, 4 hours 
  • School Nutrition Managers, 6 hours 
  • School Nutrition Directors, 8 hours

Training hours will increase in SY 2016 – 2017 as follows: 

  • School Nutrition Staff, 6 hours 
  • School Nutrition Managers, 10 hours 
  • School Nutrition Directors, 12 hours

Resources are available on our webpage and at USDA Professional Standards.