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It is important to advertise the availability of summer meals before the end of the school year. Even if there won’t be a summer feeding program in your community, you can share resources that allow households to locate summer meals in the area.
There are a number of resources, in both English and Spanish, to raise awareness in your community.
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No Kid Hungry Texting Line - Families may text "Food" or "Comida" to 877-877 to find free summer meals near them.
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No Kid Hungry Meal Site Locator - Promote the https://www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals website.
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Banners - OSPI developed reusable banners to promote your SFSP sites. If you are operating a site this summer, you can order banners here.
OSPI has developed reusable 6 ft. x 3ft. banners to help promote your SFSP sites this summer. You can order these banners to be shipped to you at no cost by completing the order form below. Sponsors can order up to one banner per SFSP site they plan to operate this summer.
Order your banners here
With so much information needing to be shared, we will be separating our newsletters into the following categories:
- School Meals and Food Distribution Updates
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Updates
- Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Updates
We want to ensure that important information is shared to appropriate groups and that you are able to easily identify which program the information is geared towards.
Next Steps
In addition to this newsletter, today you should receive a separate SFSP Newsletter that includes articles specific to SFSP. If you do not receive this update in your inbox, please check your spam box and make sure the waospi@public.govdelivery.com email address is on your safe senders list.
If you operate the CACFP, you should already be receiving a separate weekly update.
If you do not receive these updates by the end of the day today, please email samantha.brueske@k12.wa.us and include which programs you need updates for.
During our weekly update call last week we shared that the USDA approved Washington State for the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program. Some key takeaways:
- DSHS is currently building the system for families to apply and be approved, this will not be available until later this month.
- OSPI created a Communication Toolkit to help you spread the word about the program and how to apply. This is slated to be released within the next week.
Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates and stay connected by continuing to join us for our weekly update calls.
Does your program intend to transition to "traditional" summer? Is your organization new to operating SFSP in summer 2020?
If you answered 'Yes' to both of these questions, then you are required to attend the SFSP Preapproval webinar!
This requirement is in addition to the recorded training requirement.
This webinar will help us ensure your program is ready to operate the SFSP before we approve your application for the program.
At least one lead administrator from each new sponsoring organization must participate in the webinar.
Register Here
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2020
Time: 1 - 2pm PT
Have questions? Can’t make it to the scheduled webinar? Contact us at summermeals@k12.wa.us.
The weekly update calls for School Meal Program and Summer Food Service Program sponsors are extended through June.
Register Here
See you on Wednesdays at 2pm! Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates for any changes or cancellations.
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) developed a list of farmers and local food suppliers around the state that want to work with schools and community organizations feeding kids this summer.
The list includes the farms and what products the farms have available, especially those that are good fits for school meal programs, childcare, and summer meals during COVID-19 (such as sack lunches, grab and go, and multi-day grocery boxes).
This is a great way to support local agriculture and find fresh flavorful foods to include in your meals this summer.
Have questions? Contact Bianca Smith.
Unable to attend the live webinar? No worries, you can watch the recorded webinar on demand!
The Strategies and Resources for School Nutrition Professionals to Implement CDC's Latest Guidance Related to COVID-19 webinar was recorded and is now available on demand!
This webinar reviews strategies and resources available to assist school nutrition professionals in implementing guidance related to COVID-19 meal service.
Watch the Recording Here
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June 3
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Weekly School Meals and Summer Programs Sponsors Call - 2pm | Register Here
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June 15
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SFSP Application Deadline
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