GUAM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is the designated State Agency (SA) responsible for administering the National School Lunch & Breakfast Program, is the Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).

The Superintendent of Education is the official entrusted with binding signature authority for documents required in the administration of the Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs (CNFDP) within the Guam DOE. The designated office within the GDOE responsible is the Food and Nutrition Services Management Division (FNSMD). 

The FNSMD is responsible for ensuring compliance with USDA regulations at all 41 public schools, the development and implementation of program budgets, policies, standards and specifications for the USDA Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs which receives funds and commodities from the USDA grants for the Territory of Guam.  The Food and Nutrition Services Management Division implements the following programs at the school sites:

1. National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

2. School Breakfast Program (SBP)

3. Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) (GDOE-Head Start meals)

4. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

GDOE CNFDP Issuance of Commodities to Public:

1. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

The Food and Nutrition Services Management Division (FNSMD) is committed to ensuring the overall availability and effectiveness of program services to all children, their families, schools, Institutions and Sponsors on Guam. The intent of this program is to assist participants in developing their capacity to meet the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) and to serve as a convenient resource in accessing information and referrals for other service programs.
 
The FNSMD develops standards consistent with the intent to maximize participation in the School Meal Programs and Food Distribution Programs. These developed standards provide guidance for implementation of consistent nutritional standards and best practices to effectively address food security issues island-wide. These standards will be reviewed in collaboration with Guam Schools and stakeholders (local and federal government, private entities, parents, students, school administrators and staff), in efforts to provide the flexibility needed to administer these programs with the resources available in our island community while requiring them to maintain a level of program excellence. 
 
The FNSMD implements programs set forth by USDA in which the State Agency for Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs administers to the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), which involves: 
 

1. Assist Schools in the marketing and promotion of eating nutritious foods

2. Ensures Compliance of the Child Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs

3. Training and Technical Assistance to the School Food Authorities

4. Implements the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in which provides, USDA commodities to Guam’s households and individuals who are economically challenged

5. Issue out policies which are developed by the Child Nutrition Program:

• Free and Reduced-Price Policy Statement
• Program Application/Site Sheet
• Letter to Households, Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application, Sharing Information
• Notification and Verification Letters
• Monthly and Daily Verification Meal Count System Information Sheet
• Media Release
• Criteria for Eligibility of Program

6. Program Implementation, Compliance and Administration:

• Issuance of the distribution of USDA commodities to schools participating in the National School Lunch/Breakfast and Summer Food Service Programs and to households and individuals economically challenge participating in the Emergency Food Assistance Program
• Maintain records, information, and security on the process of USDA commodities to all Guam Public Schools
• Purchase Food Commodities for all GDOE schools through a local food commodity vendor
• Provide Technical Assistance to School Food Authorities regarding School Meals Program
• On-Site Reviews conducted to all Guam Public Schools
• Manages Inventory of USDA Commodities, Equipments, and Supplies to GDOE cafeterias and TEFAP Warehouse Commodity Storage
• Surveys Damage Commodities, Cafeteria Equipments and Clearance of Containers
• Inspects commodities for compliance with specifications
• Food Safety Inspections and Sanitations in collaboration with Department of Public Health
• Implement the Wellness Policy, HACCP guidelines on Food Safety and corrective actions to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programs
• Provide technical assistance, presentations, and delivers public information to the community via television, radio talk shows, news, and coordinate with other GDOE Divisions and collaborate with other Government Agencies