5P-2.007. Professional Standards

(1) Professional Standards. Sponsors must establish and implement professional standards for their School Nutrition Program directors, managers, and staff, as defined in 7 CFR 210.2 and 7 CFR 210.30, incorporated in Rule 5P-2.001, F.A.C.

(2) Hiring Standards.

(a) Sponsors must ensure all newly hired school nutrition program directors meet the minimum educational requirements in 7 CFR 210.30(b). A Sponsor may only use its nonprofit school food service account to pay the salary of a School Nutrition Program director who does not meet the hiring standards in 7 CFR 210.30 if the Sponsor complies with the Department’s approved plan to ensure the director will meet the requirements.

(b) The hiring standards plan must be completed within the first year of the School Nutrition Program director’s appointment to this position. If the Sponsor fails to comply with the hiring standards plan, the Sponsor will be deemed Seriously Deficient and subject to termination, pursuant to paragraph 5P-1.004(1)(a), F.A.C.

(c) For the purposes of the School Nutrition Programs, ‘relevant school nutrition experience’ as required in 7 CFR 210.30(b) refers to previous work experience in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, and experience in other Child Nutrition Programs, such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program or the Summer Food Service Program. ‘Relevant food service experience’ refers to work in the food service industry, including, but not limited to, hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, restaurants, cafeterias, free meal centers, and university dining services. Documented unpaid or volunteer experience will be considered relevant.

(d) For the purposes of the School Nutrition Programs, the Department recognizes the following certificate as the ‘State recognized certificate for school nutrition directors’ as required in 7 CFR 210.30:

1. School Nutrition Association School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential; or

2. Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals Certified Dietary Manager or Certified Food Protection Professional (CDM®, CFPP®) Credential.

(3) Continuing Education and Training Standards. Continuing education and training for school nutrition program managers, directors, and staff is required as provided in 7 CFR 210.30(e). In addition, time spent in non-interactive activities, such as observing a product demo or visiting an industry exhibit room, where information, materials or equipment relative to the topics specified at 7 CFR 210.30(b)(3) for school nutrition program directors, 7 CFR 210.30(c) for school nutrition program managers, and 7 CFR 210.30(d)(1)-(5) for all staff with responsibility for school nutrition programs, may count toward no more than two hours of annual training.

Rulemaking Authority 570.07(23), 595.404(4), 595.404(10) FS. Law Implemented 595.404 FS. History‒New 8-9-23.