Download Whole Grain-Rich Menu Items Exemption

Exemption—Whole Grain-Rich Menu Items
Beginning July 1, 2014, federal regulations require that all grains offered in the National School Lunch Program
(NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) must be whole grain-rich. If the school food authority (SFA) can
demonstrate hardship in obtaining acceptable whole grain-rich products that are acceptable to students, the
SFA may request an exemption to continue to serve enriched grain during SY 2017-2018. This flexibility is
available only until acceptable products are available and identified and the SFA can continue to demonstrate
negative impact.
Name of District _____________________________ Sponsor Agreement Number ________________________
Name of Food Service Director ________________________________ Phone Number _____________________
Email _______________________________________________________________________________________
We have experienced significant challenges in obtaining, preparing and/or serving whole grain-rich products in
our schools. We request that the exemption to apply to the following sites:
Entire District
Individual Schools (identify)
Elementary Schools
____________________________________________________
Satellite Schools
____________________________________________________
Middle/Junior High Schools
____________________________________________________
High Schools
____________________________________________________
Reason for requesting the exemption:
No acceptable product is available
Unacceptable product quality
Product not accepted by students or parents
Financial hardship
Other____________________________________________________________________________________
Please describe or provide written justification or other documented evidence that SFA attempted to use a
whole grain-rich product for a previously popular menu item and that the SFA experienced significant challenges
in achieving positive results. Examples of documented evidence could include meal counts, grocery bills
identifying costs, photos of unacceptable products, surveys detailing plate waste or student/parent feedback,
use of alternate brands or cooking methods to find a successful product. List which enriched menu item(s) you
want to offer temporarily.
Complete this application form and submit via email to [email protected] or fax to 651-582-8501. Contact
the Minnesota Department of Education – School Nutrition Program at 651-582-8526 or 800-366-8922
(Minnesota toll-free) if you have questions about school meal programs.
The SFA indicated above agrees and understands that this is a one-year exemption. It is also agreed that the SFA
will continue to look for whole grain-rich products that meet the needs of staff and students during the exemption
period. The agency retains the right to withhold or change the status of your exemption at our discretion.
Authorized Authority: ________________________________________________________________________
(Signature, Title)
(Date)
MDE Approval:
________________________________________________________________________
(Signature, Title)
(Date)