October 2019 Fresh Focus

Thanks for checking out CNOP's October Fresh Focus Newsletter! 

Back in the Swing of School…

Happy fall! As you get back in the swing of meal service operation this semester, CNOP is available to help with any questions and ideas you have for your school breakfast program, such as alternative breakfast models, meeting the state budget mandate, improving meal quality, participating in the Peer-to-Peer Initiative, and more! We want to ensure that your school breakfast program goals are met and that students have access to a healthy meal to start their day of learning. Feel free to connect with our team at cnop@projectbread.org for school meal support!

Apply for New School Breakfast Grants!

Project Bread’s 2019-2020 school breakfast grant applications are live! There are 3 grant opportunities available this year, and applications are due on November 15, 2019. Individual schools can only apply for one grant; however, school districts can apply for more than one opportunity. Funding ranges from $2,500 per school to $12,500 per school district for all grant applications combined. Contact our CNOP Outreach Coordinators – Rosemarie Caward regarding Central or Western MA (rosemarie_caward@projectbread.org) or Sharon Johnson regarding Eastern MA (sharon_johnson@projectbread.org) for any technical assistance and support on school breakfast models. Feel free to email cnop@projectbread.org for questions on the application or submission process.

New School Breakfast Promotion Materials Available!

Newly designed, school breakfast materials are available to be ordered or downloaded through https://meals4kids.org/materials. We have new print posters, informational flyers, bookmarks and school breakfast stickers that can be directly mailed to your school or district at no cost. Take a look at our new catalog and make your order of free materials today!

What is the Peer-to-Peer Initiative?

DESE and CNOP’s Peer-to-Peer Initiative seeks to connect schools and districts who would like to learn from each other on best practices regarding school breakfast models and breakfast program implementation. All levels of school staff can be involved and CNOP helps facilitate connections through phone consultations and site visits. Please fill out this self-referral form or contact us at cnop@projectbread.org if you have any questions regarding Peer-to-Peer!

Final Summer Highlights

This summer, U.S. Rep Ayanna Pressley visited two Boston Summer Eats meal sites. Rep. Pressley stopped by the John F. Kennedy Family Service Center (Charlestown, MA) and Boston Public Library – East Boston Branch during lunchtime, interacting with site staff and children while they ate their meals. She spent time reading books, playing games, and helping kids with an art project. Commenting on the importance of the summer meals program, she said, “Sustaining children with nutritious food year-round is a matter of justice, cognitive development, wellness, and trauma prevention.”

CNOP Staff Updates

The CNOP Team has two new staff members! Sharon Johnson joins CNOP as the Outreach Coordinator for Eastern MA, while Tiffany Liu joins as Program Associate. Sharon started working with CNOP this past May as the Boston Summer Eats Coordinator, and previously ran a summer lunch program for 5 years. Tiffany recently graduated with a M.S. in Food Policy & Applied Nutrition from Tufts University, and has worked with many organizations on child nutrition programs and farm to school initiatives. As an Outreach Coordinator, Sharon provides technical assistance to schools and districts on school breakfast models, Peer-to-Peer, and School Breakfast or Summer Eats program implementation. As Program Associate, Tiffany is in charge of CNOP's administrative work, material distribution, and grants management. We're excited to welcome Sharon and Tiffany to our team!