Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of SproutCNP
What does SproutCNP do?
SproutCNP provides practical, on-demand training and a private professional Director Community for school nutrition leaders. Content is supported by research and focuses on real-world operations, decision-making, and leadership.
What doesn't SproutCNP do?
SproutCNP does not replace state agency oversight, USDA guidance, or formal consulting services. Training is designed to support professional judgment and implementation within existing regulatory frameworks.
Who is SproutCNP designed for?
SproutCNP is designed primarily for all school nutrition professionals, from directors to frontline staff.
Is SproutCNP appropriate for new directors?
Yes. Many courses and community discussions are specifically relevant to new or recently promoted directors, building foundational knowledge.
School District Training Membership Access
What is included in the SproutCNP Training Membership?
The Training Membership provides on-demand, self-paced courses designed for school nutrition professionals. Courses focus on operational efficiency, culinary skills, financial management, and practical application in school kitchens to increase confidence, reduce waste, and eliminate chaos from your kitchens.
How soon do I get access to the online courses after joining the Training Membership?
Access is typically granted two to five business days after purchase, depending on district size and whether manual setup is needed. During the onboarding meeting, we discuss a date the director would like their team to have access.
Can districts enroll only a specific group of staff members?
At this time, our online training membership enrolls all nutrition staff within a district. This strategy ensures the training benefits the entire school nutrition program by promoting consistency and efficiency. We do not provide memberships to individuals.
Is there an onboarding process for the Training Membership?
Yes. Customer service is a priority for the SproutCNP team. We schedule an onboarding meeting to set up your portal, import staff for account setup, and answer any questions. Every staff member has direct access to a customer service specialist for support.
Training, Learning, USDA Professional Standards, and CEUs
Do SproutCNP courses meet USDA Professional Standards requirements?
Yes. Courses are developed to align with USDA Professional Standards learning objectives and are intended to support required annual training hours.
Are courses approved for CDR continuing education?
Courses are submitted for CDR (Commission on Dietetic Registration) approval when applicable. Approved courses clearly indicate the number of continuing education units (CEUs) available.
How are courses delivered?
Courses are delivered online and on demand. Most include video instruction, downloadable resources, and practical examples that can be applied directly and immediately in school nutrition programs.
Can I complete training on my own schedule?
Yes. Courses are self-paced and available 24/7, allowing you to complete training when it fits your schedule.
Can I offer the virtual training in a group, in person setting?
Yes, Courses may be conducted in a group setting and managed by district leadership. Knowledge checks and activities may be downloaded and made available for in-person training.
Will I receive certificates or documentation?
Yes. Completion certificates are available for applicable courses and can be used for training documentation.
Will I receive a report on my staff’s training outcomes and hours?
Yes. We send out monthly analytics to directors and training coordinators of your staff training hours, completion rates, and quiz scores.
How is SproutCNP training different from other training?
SproutCNP focuses on applied, operational decision-making and current challenges faced by school nutrition programs. Content is developed by practitioners with decades of school nutrition experience and updated more frequently to reflect evolving needs.
Director Community
What is the Director Community?
The Director Community is a private, moderated space for school nutrition directors to ask questions, share experiences, and discuss real-world challenges with peers and SproutCNP subject matter experts.
Who can join the Director Community?
The Director Community is intended for school nutrition directors only. Access is verified to maintain relevance and confidentiality. Book a meeting with Chef Brenda HERE to get connected to the Director Community.
What types of questions can I ask in the Director Community?
Members commonly ask questions related to operations, staffing, procurement, menu planning, compliance, financial management, and leadership challenges.
Is the Director Community moderated?
Yes. The community is moderated to ensure discussions remain professional, constructive, and relevant
How is the Director Community different from social media groups?
The SproutCNP Director Community is private, professional, moderated, and focused specifically on school nutrition operations. Discussions are not public and are guided by subject matter expertise and research rather than anecdotal advice alone.
Can I ask district-specific questions?
Yes. Members frequently discuss district-specific scenarios while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to professional best practices.
Billing, Renewals, and Accounts
How does billing work?
Memberships are billed annually. Details are provided during the purchase process.
Can districts pay by invoice or purchase order?
Yes. District payment options, including invoicing, are available. Contact SproutCNP for assistance with district purchasing requirements
How do renewals work?
Memberships renew annually unless canceled prior to renewal. Renewal details are included in account communications.
Can I change my membership?
Yes. Membership changes can be managed by contacting SproutCNP support. For district or individual school memberships (e.g., charter or private), additional seats can be added at any time.
Who do I contact about billing questions?
Billing questions should be directed to SproutCNP support via the support request form.
Technical Access & Troubleshooting
I can’t log in. What should I do?
First, verify you are using the email address associated with your district account and reset your password if needed. Personal emails are not used as usernames or logins for SproutCNP trainings. If the issue persists, contact support.
Videos won’t play or pages won’t load.
Ensure you are using a current browser and stable internet connection. Clearing your cache or trying a different browser often resolves the issue.
I can’t find a course I’m looking for.
Courses are on your dashboard, accessible from the top menu bar. If you believe you should have access to a course but cannot locate it, contact support.
My certificate isn’t showing.
Certificates typically appear after all required course components are completed. Please be sure you have completed all activities, watched all videos, and scored at least 70% on all knowledge checks. Then, you must click on ‘Complete & Continue’ to finish the course and receive your certificate. If your certificate is missing, submit a support request with the course name.
How do I get my CDR certificate?
First, complete all course requirements as described above. Then complete the optional CDR evaluation. If you choose not to complete the CDR evaluation, please email SproutCNP to request a CDR certificate.
What devices or browsers work best?
SproutCNP works best on modern browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari) on desktop or tablet devices.
What Support SproutCNP Provides
What support does SproutCNP provide?
SproutCNP customer support can help with:
- Account access and login issues
- Course access, completion, or certificates
- Billing, invoices, or payment questions
- Director Community access or technical issues
- Navigation or platform-related questions
Operational and programmatic questions are best addressed in the Director Community.
How quickly will I get a response from Customer Support?
Support requests are typically answered within 1–2 business days. Requests submitted on weekends or holidays will be addressed on the next business day.
What to Include in Your Support Request
Note: For training guidance, operational challenges, and peer input, directors are encouraged to use the Director Community as a first resource.
Including the information below helps us resolve issues faster:
- First and last name
- Email address associated with your SproutCNP account
- School name, district name, and state
- Course name or platform feature you are referencing
- Screenshot or error message (if applicable)