USDA audit prompts changes to Denfeld after‑school supper procedures; summer meals planned

Sheila Oak, the district’s child nutrition director, briefed the committee on a recent USDA audit of the Denfeld after‑school supper program and on summer-meal planning.

Oak said auditors spent seven hours reviewing the after‑school supper program and cited documentation and eligibility issues: the supper program is intended only for students enrolled in supervised after‑school activities, not for any child who stops by. During a period when SNAP benefits lapsed for some families, staff had allowed extra students to receive meals, which triggered audit findings. Oak said the program primarily serves Dash (the Denfeld after‑school cohort), about 20 regular recipients, while up to about 40 children during the audit period were taking meals that could not be matched to supervised activities.

Corrective actions include requiring coaches or program supervisors to complete training and paperwork, having staff take attendance with meal‑punch numbers, closing the open window distribution, and routing meal distribution through the cafeteria clerk so meals are tied to registered participants. Oak said reimbursements for an after‑school supper meal run roughly $5.20 per meal.

On summer meals, Oak said the district will run summer sites at five or six locations and coordinate with community partners and shelters; construction at Stowe requires alternative site planning (Gary New Duluth Recreation Center and Boys & Girls Club activity space). She warned that federal paperwork and fraud-prevention requirements have increased administrative burden for sponsors and that adult meal pricing applies for parents who eat with children.

No formal board motions were made. Oak said the department will continue outreach to community partners and post summer‑meal site information through district communications.