Training and Professional Standards

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. 

The Minnesota Department of Education provides opportunities for training and information on professional standards for SNP staff and managers. Refer to the training and professional standards link on the left for additional information on these topics.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Calendar lists all agency-sponsored training.

Training Resources

  • - 8/13/21
    This document highlights training resources available in Spanish. The topics include civil rights, meal pattern, and food safety.
  • - 8/6/21
    This document contains recommendations for core training for school nutrition program food service directors, managers, culinary staff and office staff. All curriculum is available online.
  • - 3/30/21
    School nutrition staff must participate in a minimum number of training hours annually. This document outlines annual training requirements based on job duties.
  • At-A-Glance Training Schedule for School Nutrition Programs  - 11/2/17
    Course descriptions and timeline for the annual trainings that are offered by Food and Nutrition Service.