How To Request Training

The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) offers free group training on a broad range of topics for child nutrition professionals working in school nutrition and child care settings. In addition to training sessions at the Institute’s headquarters at The University of Mississippi, training may be requested free-of-charge for presentation at local sites throughout the country.

ICN Face-To-Face Group Training

Who may request free training?

Representatives of State agencies administering child nutrition programs, USDA regional offices, School Nutrition Association state affiliates, CACFP sponsors, and allied organizations (such as ASBO) may request.

What else should I know?

Trainings must be requested at least 8-10 weeks before the training date.
Training sessions must be a minimum of 4 hours in a single day.
The requesting person or agency must provide a training site and basic AV equipment, promote the training, and pre-register a minimum of 25 participants.
Arrangements for trainers are coordinated by the ICN Training Team.
Participants’ training materials are provided free-of-charge and shipped to the training site.

Now What?

Review the training topics listed below. If you want to know more, click on the links for a closer look at the training materials.

I’m ready to submit a request!

When you have decided on a topic, date, and location – you are ready to request a training. Scroll down to the green “Apply Now” button.

Face-to-Face Training Sessions Currently Offered

Food Safety

Food Allergies in School Nutrition (4 training hours)
Food Defense Tabletop Exercise (4 training hours)
Food Safety Basics (4 training hours)
Food Safety in Schools (formerly Serving It Safe) (8 training hours) *This course qualifies for SNA core course certification level 1.
Mock Health Inspection (4 training hours)
Norovirus in Schools (2 training hours)
Seguridad de alimentos en las escuelas (SPANISH VERSION – Food Safety in Schools) (8 training hours)
Writing a HACCP-Based Food Safety Plan for Schools Workshop – 2 1/2 Training Days

Human Resources

Managing Personalities and Conflict (4 training hours)

Train The Trainer

Designing and Delivering Training Programs (8 training hours)
Foundations for Training Excellence: Basics (4 training hours)
Training Culturally Diverse Groups (4 training hours)

Training Sessions for Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP)

Family Child Care FUNdamentals (1 to 7 training hours)
Introduction to Happy Mealtimes in Child Care Settings (1 to 4 training hours)

CACFP Food Safety Topics

Norovirus for Child Care (2 training hours)
Food Safety in Child Care (4 training hours)

CACFP Meal Pattern

Child and Adult Meal Pattern Requirements (1-6 training hours)
Infants Meal Pattern Requirements (3 training hours)
Optional Best Practices (1 training hour)

What happens next?

After you have entered the information on the Training Request Form, scroll to the bottom and press “Submit.” If your request is successfully transmitted to ICN, you will receive an electronic reply. If you do not receive a reply, please contact ICN.

Three Things to Remember:

ICN requires at least 8-10 weeks’ advance notice before the training date to schedule and plan a training session.
ICN Consultant Trainers must train a minimum of 4 hours in a single day.
A minimum of 25-40 participants is required for ICN to provide a training session.

Request a Face-to-Face Training