Training

Important Moodle Information

CDE School Nutrition is moving all online trainings to a new platform. To access the online trainings and receive professional standards credit, you need to register for a FREE Moodle account. Registration only takes a few seconds to complete. Once you have submitted your registration, our office will create your account in up to 3-5 business days. You will receive an email to confirm your Moodle account and then you will be able to access the trainings. If you have any questions, please contact Kristi LaBriola at LaBriola_k@cde.state.co.us or 303-552-6227.

Colorado Department of Education Professional Development

The School Nutrition Unit offers online, in-person and webinar trainings to increase school nutrition professionals’ skills and knowledge in operating child nutrition programs. These trainings provide USDA Professional Standards hours and count as Continuing Education Units (CEU) for the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential. Please contact, Alicia Grove, at grove_a@cde.state.co.us or 720-795-2038, for questions about School Nutrition training offerings and any accessibility needs.

I Am Looking For:

Online Trainings

On demand professional development opportunities

These resources are self-paced and can include online learning modules, archived webinar recordings, and more. They are also mobile accessible.

In Person Trainings

Upcoming professional development opportunities

These opportunities are scheduled in-person trainings hosted by CDE School Nutrition.

Upcoming Webinars

On the Menu Monthly Calls

On the Menu calls are held the fourth Thursday of each month from 2-3 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Topics reflect current happenings and required annual training and provide opportunities for networking and sharing successes and challenges with peers.

Next call- Thursday, January 26, from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Topic TBD
- Registration link

Masterclass Foundations Training Series

Sponsors looking for ways to maximize participation in child nutrition programs are encouraged to sign up for Masterclass Foundations. Masterclass Foundations is training for food service professionals on foundational skills needed to effectively implement child nutrition programs. Masterclass Foundations covers three core topics:
- Sound financial practices
- Data-drive improvement and
- Community engagement
This training offers peer-to-peer learning, sharing and networking to teach the skills needed to boost participation. During the 2022-23 school year, these sessions will be available to all sponsors. Complete the Masterclass Foundations sign-up form and indicate the dates you would like to participate.

Recorded Webinars

Masterclass Sound Financial Practices

Masterclass Sound Financial Practices Session Recording : Participants learned how to use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to gain financial control of the school meal program.

Passcode: *dFjnx7R
Recorded on Nov. 2, 2022
Sound Financial Practices PowerPoint and Presenter Notes
Sound Financial Practices evaluation link

Back to School Operations session

Back to School Operations Session Recording: Participants learned about program requirements and USDA waivers for school year 2022-23. They also learned about resources for program planning and implementation.
- Recorded on Thursday, August 11, 2022
- Back to School Operations- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- Back to School Operations evaluation link

On the Menu Calls

After watching these recorded webinars, please complete the training evaluation if available.

November On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about the Healthy School Meals for All program.
- Recorded on November 17, 2022
- November On the Menu Slides (PDF)
October On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned how to source local foods through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foods, including the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
- Recorded on October 25, 2022
September On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about how to celebrate Farm to School month in October including incorporating local foods into school menus, explaining nutrition education best practices, and how to improve meal quality.
- Recorded on September 22, 2022
- September On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- September On the Menu evaluation link
August On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about CDE School Nutrition's resources and tools to help sponsors run an effective child nutrition program.
- Recorded on Aug. 25, 2022
- August On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- August On the Menu evaluation link
July On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about the civil rights requirements for child nutrition programs. This session meets the annual civil rights training requirements.
- Recorded on July 29, 2022
- July On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- July On the Menu evaluation link
May On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about how to complete School Year 2022-23 renewal applications for school nutrition programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and Afterschool Snack Program
- Recorded on May 26, 2022
- School Nutrition Program Application Training- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT
- School Nutrition Program Application Training evaluation link
April On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about flexibilities available for summer 2022 and SY 2022-23, training requirements, and SFSP outreach materials.
- Recorded on April 28, 2022
- April On the Menu Call-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- April training evaluation link
March On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned the requirements to operate the Summer Food Service Program. This session covers the annual SFSP training requirements for summer sponsors.
- Recorded on March 24, 2022
- March On the Menu Call-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- March training evaluation link
February On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned about new updates for the Pandemic-EBT program during school year 2021-22.
- Recorded on Feb. 24, 2022
- Feb. On the Menu Call-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- Feb. training evaluation link

January On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned how to access and use new marketing materials to showcase your child nutrition program.
- Recorded on Jan. 27, 2022
- Jan. On the Menu Call- Google PowerPoint and Presenter Notes
- Jan. training evaluation link
November On the Menu Session Recording: Participants learned best practices from other sponsors to address supply chain challenges and determined relevant solutions for their own program.
- Recorded on Nov. 18, 2021.
- Nov. On the Menu Call-PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- Google Jamboard with solutions and ideas related to supply chain issues
- Nov. training evaluation link
October On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learned how to take their food photography and social media marketing skills to the next level.
- Recorded on Oct. 28, 2021.
- Oct. training evaluation link
- October On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (Google PPT)
April On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn ways to reduce food waste and tips to increase sustainability in menu planning.
- Recorded on April 22, 2021.
- April On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)
- April training evaluation link
February On the Menu Call Recording: Participants learn about community engagement for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) from Colorado sponsors, Hunger Free Colorado, and Cooking Matters.
- Recorded on Feb. 25, 2021.
- Feb. On the Menu Call- PowerPoint and Presenter Notes (PPT)

Colorado School Nutrition Unit and Nourish Colorado Meal Quality Trainings

Meal Quality Training #1: Participants review food safety during COVID-19, identify and build communication and marketing strategies, and learn new ways to set teams up for success through partnerships, equipment, and meal prep ideas
- Recorded on Sept. 30, 2020
- Click here to download the training certificate
Meal Quality Training #2: Participants learn to evaluate varying presentation techniques, ideas for special diets, and best practices to efficiently assemble meals
- Recorded on Dec. 2, 2020
- Click here to download the training certificate
Meal Quality Training #3: Creating efficiencies and taking care of your future self.
- Recorded on Feb. 24, 2021
- Click here to download the training certificate.
Meal Quality Training #4: Participants learn more about time management plus culinary techniques and recipes, all designed to help you use up products in your inventory
- Recorded on April 21, 2021
- Click here to download the training certificate.
Kitchen Math: Use kitchen math skills to reduce waste and improve portion control in your school meals program.
- Recorded on August 18, 2021
- Click here to download the training certificate.
Recipe Reading and Development: Learn how to read and develop a standardized recipe and use fresh herbs and spices to enhance your school meals.
- Recorded on Oct. 13, 2021
- Click here to download the training certificate.