May Announcements

Region 6 will soon be saying goodbye to a valued team member, Cindy Scott, CN Specialist, whose last day with us will be May 30th. After 12 years of dedicated service at Region 6 and over 30 years of experience in Child Nutrition, Cindy will be taking on a new role as the Child Nutrition Director at Groveton ISD.

Cindy has been a tremendous resource and support to countless districts, bringing a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and a truly fun and positive spirit to everything she does. Her contributions have made a lasting impact, and she will be greatly missed.

Please join us in congratulating Cindy and wishing her all the best in this exciting new chapter!

Just a reminder that the Region 6 office will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll be back to normal operations on Tuesday, May 27th.

Wishing you a safe and meaningful holiday as we remember and honor those who served.

• June 30 - SNP application for CEP CEs due in TX-UNPS

Don't forget to upload your health inspections before you start the new school year renewal application.

English and Spanish versions of the NSLP/SBP and SMP Household Application Instructions have been revised and posted to include the Income Eligibility Guidelines for SY 2025-2026.
These documents can be found .in the following locations on SquareMeals:
• SNP

• NSLP Administration Form
• NSLP School Meal Application

• SMP

• Special Milk Program Administration Form

Administrator’s Reference Manual (ARM) Section 17b, Buy American has been revised and released. Updates were made to add the remaining Buy American provisions from the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for American.
Updates were made to the following topics:
• Exception Threshold
• Exception Accommodation
• Determining Country of Origin
You can find the ARM here.
Please replace any previous versions of the above sections that you may have saved.

The updated Summer Outreach Materials have been updated and posted to www.Squaremeals.org.

To keep this webinar secure, do not share this link publicly.

The Program Year 2025 application for Seamless Summer Option (SSO) is NOW OPEN in TX-UNPS. More information about operating SSO and technical assistance for completing the SSO application are available from your local Education Service Center. The deadline for submitting the SSO application is May 31, 2025. Please submit early to avoid service delays.

The SSO Age/Grade Group Meal Pattern Portion Sizes Waiver is available in TX-UNPS under Download Forms: SNP-000. CEs participating in SSO that are operating open and restricted open sites and have difficulty implementing the age/grade group requirements may apply for a waiver. The waiver, if approved, will allow the CE to serve the portion size consistent with the most commonly served age/grade group at that site.

Ordering catalogs for NSLP SY26 Round 2 are now available to submit requisitions in WBSCM for Direct Delivery. Please remember to utilize resources available on SquareMeals to aid you in planning and submitting your requisitions.

https://squaremeals.org/Programs/Food-Distribution-Program-for-NSLP/Resources

Please log into WBSCM and run a “Entitlement Summary Report” for 2026 to view your entitlement balance.

WBSCM Deadlines for PY 2025

Friday, May 23, 2025 - COB: Closing date for Direct Delivery Catalogs.

If you need to cancel a requisition, please email CommodityOperations@texasagriculture.gov and include the following information:

• School name (no acronyms)
• Requisition Number

Should you have any questions or need further assistance regarding WBSCM ordering and functionality, please contact your Education Service Center.

The Texas Department of Agriculture will host a webinar to provide more information on the Buy American Act, the Buy American Provision, allowable exemptions, and the upcoming 10% cap on non-domestic food purchases.

May 7, 2025 @ 2pm

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Join TDA to discuss:

• Definitions and regulations associated with duplicative services
• Understanding existing services funded under ESCs and ICN
• Gain skills to determine if services a SFA is requesting are duplicative

May 20, 2025 @ 9am

MegaCon 2025 will offer policy updates, operational instruction, keys to compliant procurement, and much more. MegaCon provides an interactive environment for learning more about successful administrative reviews and program operations. TDA values its hard-working partners and endeavors to make MegaCon a fun and exciting experience for everyone. Please make plans now to connect with TDA and your peers at MegaCon 2025.

May 21-23, 2025 in Austin, TX

REGISTER HERE

Get ready for some High Tides & Good Vibes!

Early Bird registration for the 2025 Annual Conference is now open! Take advantage of discounted registration and reserve your spot today!

June 22-25 in Corpus Christi, TX

Check out the event details below!

ANNUAL CONFERENCE DETAILS

The Early Bird registration deadline is April 30, 2025.

Get ready to make a splash! Region 6 is excited to invite you to our Child Nutrition Summer Workshop, happening July 8–10. This year’s theme is Under the Sea, and we’re bringing you a sea of knowledge, hands-on learning, and fun!

🗓 Workshop Dates:

• July 8–9: National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

• July 10: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Explore session topics, schedule details, and more in our digital catalog:
👉 View the Workshop Catalog & Register Here

Spaces fill up fast, so secure your spot today! We can’t wait to sea you there! 🌊🐠