Frequently Asked Questions

How does CN Resource charge for their services?

There are two ways that contracts have been arranged between State Agencies and CN Resource. The first way is a set price per task (i.e. a price per CACFP review, per CRE review, per SMI analysis, or per training session). Our set price is usually all encompassing meaning all travel, supplies, out-of-pocket expenses, etc. are included. This means you know up front exactly how much it will cost to use the services of CN Resource. The second way we charge for services is on an hourly basis. If you have a task to be completed, but are unsure of exactly how long it will take or what the entire scope of the project will be, then we can put together an hourly contract. We have contracts in place with State Agencies that utilize both methods of pricing.

How is CN Resource able to provide services at a lower cost than many State Agencies?

The primary reason has to do with the cyclical nature of the federal food programs themselves. For example, a State Agency may be very busy with CACFP reviews during the spring. When a state uses CN Resource they only pay when services are being provided. CN Resource may help a state in April, May and June complete 200 CACFP center visits and then we leave until the next fiscal year. You do not need to add any full-time positions to get the work done. Also, by getting help during the busy review season, State Agency staff are able to concentrate on other important tasks such as technical assistance, program outreach or professional development.

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Menu Planning Questions

The most common question asked by school foodservice professionals relating to our service is how much does it cost to receive complete, customized Assisted NuMenus from CN Resource?

The answer to this question depends on several factors such as the number of different menus needed, the number of serving sites, the number of grade groupings, the number of months meals are served, etc. To help us provide you with an accurate quote for services and to make sure we understand the details of your program, we need to gather a little information.

What are Assisted NuMenus?

When an outside firm, consultant or state agency prepares a school's menus with USDA software to meet the nutrition standards, they are called Assisted NuMenus. This is one of the approved methods for planning menus for the National School Lunch Program.

Prior to 1995, there was only one approved method to write menus for school lunch and breakfast. This method used a meal pattern called the Traditional Meal Pattern, sometimes referred to as the Type A lunch. The Child Nutrition Act changed in 1995 to allow for other menu planning methods in order to help schools meet the required nutrition goals. There are now two variations on the food-based meal pattern: Traditional and Enhanced. This method of menu preparation uses a system of meal components such as breads, meat & meat equivalents and fruits & vegetables. Although meal pattern menu planning is fairly easy to follow, it does not provide for extensive menu flexibility or nutritional analysis.

As a result of these limitations, the USDA created a second menu planning option based on computerized nutritional analysis. The structure of the menu itself is predominantly that whatever you plan, the menu must meet the nutrition standards established by USDA over the course of a week. This method is called Nutrient Standard Menu Planning (NSMP), also called NuMenus . If a district acquires help from someone outside of the district to plan the nutritionally analyzed menu, they are called Assisted NSMP, or Assisted NuMenus. In this section we use the term NuMenus and Assisted NuMenus interchangeably.

What are some of the benefits NuMenus have over food-based menus?

There are many advantages to using computerized menus instead of Food Based planned menus, but here are just a few that highlight the potential impact on customer satisfaction and employee morale:

. Expanded menu item/ingredient options - under Food Based menu planning approaches, combination food items can only be credited towards the meal pattern if a CN label is provided whereas under NuMenus almost any product can be included on the menu provided it has a nutritional analysis available to enter into the ingredient database (virtually every food product sold in the U.S. includes a nutritional analysis)

. Complete nutritional analysis of the menu - computerized menu planning produces a precise nutritional analysis by ingredient, recipe, meal, day, week or month, giving inquiring minds (school foodservice staff, faculty, administration and parents) complete information on the quality of meals being served to the students

. Preprinted production records and standardized recipes - the administrative burden associated with tracking production data can be significantly reduced by generating production records that are pre-populated with most of the information required under federal regulations

. Streamlined SMI Review Preparation - because a nutritional analysis is generated with each menu, all the information necessary for a foodservice program to complete an SMI is readily available

Why would someone else write my NuMenus (called Assisted NuMenus) instead of doing it myself?

There are two things that are in extremely short supply in just about every school meal program: time and money. While a conversion from food-based menu planning to computerized menu planning does provide efficiencies in a number of areas (e.g. SMI preparation, administration), menu planning still remains a time consuming task. In addition to the monthly tasks of menu cycle preparation, nutrition analysis review and menu modification, users of NuMenus software must maintain the database as changes are made to the menu items offered or the ingredients used to prepare them. And this doesn't even take into account the hundreds of hours needed to learn how to use the software, load it onto a computer and enter the schools current menu and ingredient list. Financial costs can also be excessive. NuMenus software, training and computer hardware (if not already available) can add up to thousands of dollars. For schools looking to cut costs, NuMenus can cost more than what is returned to the bottom line. Assisted NuMenus from CN Resource lets your foodservice program reap all the benefits attributed to computerized menu planning without shouldering the time and cost burdens.

What makes CN Resource a great source for menu planning?

There are three main reasons why CN Resource is your best partner for menu planning. 1. CN Resource has been writing menus for school districts ever since the USDA first instituted Assisted NuMenus. Our staff of dietitians, nutritionists, software experts and CPA's have more experience with Assisted NuMenus than virtually any firm in the nation. 2. Every five years, each school district in the United States is required to have one week of their menus analyzed to gauge compliance with USDA regulations. This one week review is called a School Meals Initiative (SMI) review. CN Resource completes more SMI's on behalf of State agencies than most other firms in the nation. Because we know what State agencies and the USDA are looking for in menu planning, we can better help you meet nutritional goals and be in regulatory compliance. 3. With CN Resource, you control the menu while we do the work. We'll communicate with you often to see which foods are working and which are not. You tell us the changes you would like and we'll work them in. We'll also tell you if these changes get you any closer to the USDA's goals for nutrition.

Can we still do Offer vs. Serve under NuMenus?

Yes -it is required that you do Offer vs. Serve for secondary school students, and is optional for the elementary grades under all the menu planning methods.

Do I have to switch to NuMenus, or can I stay on a food-based menu planning system and still use CN Resource menu planning services and menu analysis?

You can be on any menu planning system of your choice. The goal of CN Resource is to provide you with monthly menus following any of the USDA menu planning options of your choice that meet the nutrition standards and are creative, cost-effective, and in compliance with USDA regulations.

How can I use my commodities, special recipes, and student preferred menus items if someone else is planning my menus?
You need to make sure that whomever you are contracting with is knowledgeable regarding food sources available to schools, is accessible and will provide flexibility in your menu plan. It is your menu, you should be in control. CN Resource works with you to give you the product you want.

Do I have to follow the menu the way it is given to me?

Yes and No. Yes- the principles of NuMenus is that you plan your menu to meet the nutrition goals, so you need to serve what you have analyzed - changing food items will change the nutritional content of the menu. And no- the realities of inventory availability and unexpected emergencies are part of NuMenus. If a menu change has to be made within two weeks of being served, re-analyses does not need to occur. Documentation on the production record of necessary changes is all that is required.

How do I switch from a meal pattern to NuMenus?

In most cases, we start with the schools current menu planning method as we acquire the necessary detailed menu and food items information, get them into our database, and establish how the current menu compares to the nutrition standards. From there we set goals with you on how you want your menus structured, and how to achieve a nutritionally compliant menu.

What is the cost of Assisted NuMenus?

The cost of Assisted NuMenus is dependent on a few factors including the number of menus needed (i.e. grades K-3, 4-8, 4-6, 9-12, etc.) plus the number of production quantities to be created. For example, we can create a single menu to be used at several different elementary sites but we change the plan numbers to match each school's expected participation each month. Costs tend to range from a low of $149 each month for a simple, single menu up to $2,000 a month for multi-school levels, multi production quantity menus. Each menu program is tailored to your needs and your budget.

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Menu Analysis Questions

How quickly can I get my menus analyzed?

We have quick turnaround time. For example, for a one week analysis of a single menu we can typically have your analysis results, report, and recommended changes back to you within two weeks of acquiring all the necessary documentation that supports the food items used in your menus (recipes, specific product information, etc). We have a substantial database of branded products that will save you time in product information collection.

How do I know the analysis will be accurate?

Two reasons:
Every five years, each school district in the United States is required to have one week of their menus analyzed to gauge compliance with USDA regulations. This one week review is called a School Meals Initiative (SMI) review. CN Resource completes more SMI's on behalf of State agencies than most other firms in the nation. Because we know what State agencies and the USDA are looking for in menu planning and menu analysis, we can better help you meet nutritional goals and be in regulatory compliance.
CN Resource has been analyzing menus for school districts ever since the USDA first instituted the School Meal Initiative requiring menus meet the nutrition standards. Our staff of dietitians, nutritionists, software experts and CPA's have more experience with menu analysis than virtually any firm in the nation.
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