Menu Cycle Detail

Once a cycle is created, templates can be added to the cycle days by dragging and dropping them to a specific day. Only active templates that are within the cycle grade range will appear in the template list.

Note: Menu Cycles can include weekends, but only if the "Enable Saturdays and Sundays on Menu Cycles" preference is selected. For more information, see the Preferences page.

Info
The Info box contains the saved information entered to search for and add menu plan types for comparison.

Nutrient Standards
The Nutrient Standards button compares the nutrients in a meal to USDA recommendations and notes how much over or short of the weekly standard the meals are. To use this option, first select the type of templates being analyzed (either Breakfast Templates or Lunch Templates) under the Analyze selected days using drop-down menu. Then, select the grade range and the cycle days being analyzed. If you select fewer than 3 consecutive days, the Nutrient Standards analysis will not be compared to the weekly nutrient standards. When everything has been selected, click Nutrient Standards.

Menu Plan Analysis
The Menu Plan Analysis button is used to track nutrients in the menu plans offered based on USDA recommendations for reimbursable meals. To use this option, first select a meal session from the Meal Plan Analysis Session drop-down menu. Then, select the grade range and the cycle days being analyzed. When everything has been selected, click Menu Plan Analysis .

Nutrients by Item
The Nutrients by Item button gives a detailed list of nutrients present in each item available on the menu cycle. Use the drop-down menu to select whether you want to view the list in the Report Viewer or as a PDF.

TEMPLATES
You can further filter the template list by selecting the meal session for which templates you want to be listed using either the checkboxes or the Menu Plan Type drop-down menu. Based on your selection of which meal session you want listed, the corresponding list below the checkboxes will display menu plans to drag and drop on the cycle days.

Template Search
If you need to look for a specific template or type of template, you can use the search bar located in the Templates pane to narrow your Templates list so that only terms in the search field are shown. In the example, only templates that contain the word "cheese" in their names are shown.
The Menu Plan Type drop-down can also be used to look for templates within a specific menu plan type. For example, if you only want to see menu plans that are part of your high school lunch program "Lunch High", you can select its name from the drop-down menu.
The checkbox filters can be used for more general filtering of results. For example, you can uncheck "Breakfast" if you only want Lunch templates to be visible.

Note that all of these features can be used in tandem.

Template Edit/Copy
If you need to edit a menu plan template or create a copy of an existing template, you can hover your mouse cursor over the template you would like to edit or copy. Options will appear from the left side of the template card that allow you to edit or copy the template. Clicking Edit or Copy will navigate you to the Edit Menu Plan Template page.

Template Preview
If you need to preview a template in the cycle, hover your cursor over the template you would like to view. After a few seconds, a pop-up should appear that lists all of the items that are in the template in the cycle. This lets you see what items are already being served on templates in the cycle.

CYCLE
The CYCLE section contains the days and weeks of the meal session template you are creating. Drag and drop menu plans from the TEMPLATES section to specific cycle days to create a menu cycle.

Edit Forecast checkbox
The Edit Forecast checkbox activates the "Analyze selected days using" drop-down list and Nutrient Analysis button.

Edit Forecast link
The Edit Forecast link opens the Menu Plan Template Editor, allowing you to override menu plan template percentages.

Cancel
The Cancel button terminates the request to create a menu cycle and returns you back to the Menu Planning and Production page.

Save
The Save button saves the current menu cycle.