Conference

Presented by the Iowa Department of Education Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services, offered in partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Back-to-School Nutrition Conference
Dates: July 30, 31 and August 1, 2024   8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
Registration Deadline: July 10, 2024
Location: ISU Alumni Center, 429 Alumni Lane, Ames, Iowa   New location!

Audience: Directors and Managers
Professional Standards: Approximately 18 hours (6 hours/day)     
Cost: $95 per workshop/day*     
*Registration fees include morning refreshments, lunch and printed materials.      

Day 1:
Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
New Nutrition Standards for Healthy Kids 2024  (Nutrition keynote speakers from ISU and Action for Healthy Kids will present)
Agenda: Agenda announced soon

Learning Objectives:
  • Increase your knowledge about childhood nutrition and health and why meeting nutrition standards for school meals are important for children’s health (and learning) in Iowa.
  • Explore the FNS/USDA Final Rule on meal pattern and nutrition standards requirements.
  • Review menu planning resources for healthy school meals, including “Shaking It Up.”  

Day 2:
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Civil Rights and Special Diets for Healthy Kids 2024 (Guest speakers from USDA will present)
Agenda: Agenda announced soon

Learning Objectives:
  • Improve your understanding of current civil rights responsibilities for School Nutrition Programs.
  • Build an understanding of effective strategies for planning and preparing meals for accommodating students with dietary restrictions.
  • Learn what is a “reasonable” meal modification and why SFAs may not use Offer versus Serve for special diets.
  • Review resources for special diets.  

Day 3:
Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Food Safety for Healthy Kids 2024 (Guest speaker from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing will present)
Agenda: Agenda announced soon

Learning Objectives:
  • Review the current Food Code regulation relevant to school nutrition; learn issues to be aware of from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing.
  • Learn practical strategies for reviewing your written food safety plan based on HACCP principles to ensure solid food safety practices are in place at your school.
  • Review produce safety resources and discuss Farm to School considerations.
  • Examine “other” child nutrition programs including Afterschool Snack Programs and CEP; review regulation for Smart Snacks and the local Wellness Policy/Triennial Assessment.