Professional Standards for School Nutrition

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has established minimum professional standard requirements for school nutrition professionals who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. The goal of these standards is to ensure that school nutrition personnel have the knowledge, training and tools needed to operate School Nutrition Programs (SNP) successfully. There are hiring standards for new food service directors and annual training requirements for all school nutrition employees.

USDA School Meals Professional Standards - Review Final Rule, USDA Learning Objectives, Learning Codes, Training Topics, Database of Training Opportunities, Guidance materials including FAQs and USDA Training Tracker Tool.

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School Nutrition Director Hiring Requirements

New School Nutrition Directors, hired on or after July 1, 2015, are required to meet minimum education and work experience standards.

Some exceptions may be granted. Contact your assigned consultant or Patti Harding at patti.harding@iowa.gov.

Along with hiring standards, new directors must acquire 8 hours of food safety training within 5 years prior or within 30 days of their start date.

School Nutrition Director Education and Experience Requirements

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Annual Training Requirements

USDA established minimum annual training requirements for all school nutrition directors, managers, and all staff involved in any aspect of the nutrition program.

Training must be specific to duties performed.

SFA must track and document annual training for all school nutrition employees. Maintain supporting documentation such as agenda, sign-in sheet or certificate of completion.

  • Food Service Directors 12 hours
  • Managers: 10 hours
  • Full-Time Staff (20 hours or more per week): 6 hours
  • Part-Time Staff (less than 20 hours per week): 4 hours
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Resources and Tools

Sample Director Job Description - Local duties and responsibilities for directors vary; training must be specific to duties performed.

USDA Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs

Training Resources

Learning Tools - Schools - Search recorded Iowa webinars by topic

USDA Professional Standards Training Database - Search for training that meets your learning needs

Child Nutrition Sharing Site - One-stop-shop for all operation-related Child Nutrition Program (CNP) resources

School Nutrition Training Modules - Free interactive web-based training - each provides a certificate of completion

School Nutrition Association (SNA) USDA Professional Standards Hub - Resources to assist with professional standards

Training Trackers: SFA may use either web-based USDA Tool or alternate tracking method such as the state agency templates below. Include employee name, position, title of training, key area, date completed, and creditable training hours.

USDA Menu Planner for School Meals - A comprehensive guide recommended for school nutrition professionals; particularly helpful for new directors.

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