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​Online Discussion Groups and Related Links

On-line Discussion Groups

These lists were originated by USDA and designed for State agency, school food service, and child care personnel to discuss issues about providing healthy meals to children. There is no fee for joining the lists. However, membership may be limited to related personnel. Messages and answers are unedited. The subscriber should assess the accuracy of the responses.

Mealtalk - An online discussion group for National School Lunch Program and CACFP participants.

  • To subscribe to Mealtalk: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body, type: subscribe Mealtalk
  • To unsubscribe from Mealtalk: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body, type: unsubscribe Mealtalk

Foodsafe - Discuss food safety issues with other professionals interested about food safety issues.

  • To subscribe to Foodsafe: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body, type: subscribe Foodsafe
  • To unsubscribe from Foodsafe: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body, type: unsubscribe Foodsafe

CACFP-Talk - Membership in this group is limited to State agencies and local CACFP administrators.

  • To subscribe to CACFP-Talk: Send a message to majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body of the message type: Subscribe CACFP-Talk
  • To unsubscribe from CACFP-Talk: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body, type: unsubscribe CACFP-Talk

SuccessTalk - Intended as a communication tool to link school health professional, child nutrition educators, principals, teachers, parents, and community members interested in creating a healthy school nutrition environment.

  • To subscribe to SuccessTalk: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov 
    In the body of the message, type: Subscribe SuccessTalk your name<your email>
  • To unsubscribe from SuccessTalk: Send a message to: majordomo@nal.usda.gov
    In the body of the message, type: Unsubscribe SuccessTalk

Feeding Kids Newsletter , an announcement only newsletter.

National Food Safety Educator's Network . EDNET - an electronic newsletter for educators and others concerned about food safety; sponsored by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. EdNet provides monthly updates on food safety activities.

  • To subscribe, send an e-mail message to: LISTSERV@FOODSAFETY.gov
    In the body of the email, type: Subscribe EDNET-L first name last name

Related Links

School Nutrition Ass​ociation (SNA)​​​​
NA is a non-profit, professional association committed to improving the health of children by advocating for healthy school meals and nutrition education. SNA represents 60,000 members of the school foodservice industry.NA is a non-profit, professional association committed to improving the health of children by advocating for healthy school meals and nutrition education. SNA represents 60,000 members of the school foodservice industry.

American Dairy Assn & Dairy Council Mid East includes resources and materials for schools, and it's easy to use. Educators can find the latest nutrition news, as well as order classroom materials and lesson plans from National Dairy Council�. In addition, school food service personnel can find valuable tools to use in the lunchroom.

Promote a Healthy School Nutrition Environment for your students with Changing the Scene- Improving the School Nutrition Environment. Anyone can order a FREE kit if they identify the school or district in which the kit will be used to make changes in the school nutrition environment. Click on Changing the Scene, then How to Order.

The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 requires that all schools implement Wellness Policies and Councils by July 1, 2006.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion 
Included on this site is the MyPyramid; Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005; Downloadable Graphic and Permission Statement; A Resource for Nutrition Educators; Expenditures on Children by Families; Official USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels; and Childhood Obesity Symposium Proceedings, among others.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) believes that schools should be taking a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices. Many schools have already made changes to their school nutrition environments, improved the quality of the foods served, and now provide students with more nutritious, healthy choices. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) wants to encourage schools to achieve such results, and has established the Healthier US School Food Challenge to encourage schools to go further to recognize those who chose to do so.

Healthy School Meals Resource System, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Search this website for information about the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

The National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI)
Find nutrition education and training materials for schools and foodservice personnel at the NFSMI Publication Guide online.

Nutrition.gov is a comprehensive source of information on nutrition and dietary guidance from multiple government agencies and supports the President's HealthierUS Initiative and includes information provided by USDA, the Department of Health and Human Services and others.

USDA Food Composition Database
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) believes that schools should be taking a leadership role in helping students learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices. Many schools have already made changes to their school nutrition environments, improved the quality of the foods served, and now provide students with more nutritious, healthy choices. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) wants to encourage schools to achieve such results, and has established the HealthierUS School Food Challenge to encourage schools to go further to recognize those who chose to do so.

Sanitation and Food Safety Resources

Food Safety: It's In Your Hands 
The August 25, 1999 national teleconference sponsored by The National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) is available for viewing on the Internet. Learning more about food safety issues and how school personnel can help prevent foodborne illness.

Your Gateway to Government Food Safety Information 
The 1997 National Food Safety Initiative Report spearheaded the development of this "gateway" to food safety. Find food safety information easily on this website.

Centers for Disease Control

Food Safety and Inspection Service

USDA/FDA Foodborne Illness Education Information Center

FightBAC! Campaign

"Healthy Kids: Germ Free" 
An educational kit for daycare providers and school-aged children. Contains 5 food safety fact sheets, 9 colorful min-posters, a leader's guide, a program evaluation sheet, and 2 activity booklets for 6-8 year olds, and 9-11 year olds. The cost is $7.00 from Ohio State University Extension, Wood County, 440 E. Poe Road, Bowling Green, OH 43402.

Food Safety House 
The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Service with USDA Team Nutrition developed this curriculum for 1st through 3rd grade, and 4th through 6th grade. Six units teach students the basics of food safety. Order from KidsFirst, Inc. One Richmond Square, Suite 217W, Providence, RI 02906, (401) 751-4503, Fax (401) 421-0248, email: kids1st@gis.net $40.00.