The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released several policy memos.
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COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #26: Nationwide Waiver to Allow Meal Pattern Flexibility in the Child Nutrition Programs – EXTENSION 3
- This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program.
- This waives the requirements to serve meals that meet the meal pattern requirements.
- Washington State will participate in this waiver.
- Sponsors are approved on a case-by-case basis - Contact your program specialist.
- This waiver remains in effect until July 31, 2020.
- As a reminder, Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(f) allow procurement by noncompetitive proposals when there is a public emergency.
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COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #29: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs – Revised – EXTENSION through August 31, 2020
- This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
- This waiver allows OSPI CNS to conduct Administrative Reviews as a desk audit and waives the requirement for on-site visits for reviews during the emergency.
- Washington state will participate in this waiver.
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COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #31: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements for State Agencies in the Summer Food Service Program – EXTENSION through August 31, 2020
- This waiver applies to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
- This waiver allows OSPI CNS to conduct Administrative Reviews as a desk audit and waives the requirement for on-site visits for reviews during the emergency.
- Washington state will participate in this waiver.
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COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #32: Nationwide Waiver to Extend Area Eligibility Waivers through August 31, 2020
- This waiver allows SFSP and SSO sponsors in good standing to operate open sites in areas consistent with the State plan, but not located in “Areas in which poor economic conditions exist”.
- FNS reserves the right to withdraw this approval subject to availability of funding
- Washington state will participate in this waiver.
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SP 21-2020, CACFP12-2020, SFSP 12-2020: Q&A Related to Food Service Management Company Contracts and Allowable Costs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- This memo reviews common questions and answers for sponsors working with a FSMC.
- Topics include: Contracts and Other Contracted Suppliers, Monitoring, and Allowable Costs.
- If you have questions, please email Jeff Booth.
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COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #9: Nationwide Waiver of Onsite Monitoring Requirements in the School Meals Programs - Revised - EXTENSION
- This revision allows state agencies to request a new review cycle waiver.
- This waiver is effective immediately and remains in effect until June 30, 2021.
Please review the linked policy memos for more details about these waivers.
Questions? Please reach out to your program specialist.
Translated materials are now available!
Please view OSPI’s Pandemic EBT Guidance for School Districts webpage for family materials translated into 8 different languages.
School Districts play an important role in getting information to families.
If you were unable to make the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT and the Role of Schools webinar, you can review the call using this link. NOTE: You will have to register to watch the recording.
We are asking districts to:
- Distribute information to families.
- Continue to distribute, collect and process free and reduced-price meal applications.
- Update free and reduced-price meals eligibility data in CEDARS frequently.
What if a family contacts us?
Depending on what the family is asking, there are resources to help.
- If a family is interested in learning more about P-EBT, direct them to k12.wa.us/PEBT. This webpage is a direct link to the flyer detailing how to apply and receive benefits, as well as frequently asked questions.
- If a family is interested in applying for Pandemic EBT, ask them to review the P-EBT flyer, which will direct them to their next steps.
- If a family is asking about their P-EBT benefits, refer them to WashingtonConnection.org or 877-501-2233 to speak to a DSHS representative.
If you have additional questions, please email Child.Nutrition@k12.wa.us.
Thank you for all you do to serve the children in our state!
Last month, we announced that Annual Training is going virtual. Now is the time to register before school is out!
Register Here Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Time: 1 - 3 pm PT
During this webinar, we will review the updates from this past year, things to expect for next year, Food Distribution updates, and more!
We look forward to 'seeing' you there!
In addition to this live session, we will also be providing recorded sessions - all of which will provide professional standards credits! We will release more information about these recorded sessions as we get closer to August. Keep an eye out for future CNS Updates.
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USDA's Team Nutrition recently released new resources!
These 'Providing Multiple Meals at a Time for Children During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic' tip sheets provide information about using bulk foods and distributing multiple meals at a time.
The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has released a COVID-19 grant opportunity from partners at the Albertsons Companies Foundation to increase participation in the summer meals programs. Intermediary organizations, Child Nutrition Program Sponsors, and schools can apply for funding.
Some examples of how funding may be used, includes:
- Transportation
- Food purchasing
- Connections/Marketing/Outreach
- Temporary Hires to make up for lack of volunteers
- Capacity
- Technical Assistance
- Equipment, PPE, and packaging
The grant application is located on the Albertsons Companies Foundation webpage.
Applications are due today June 22 at 11:59 pm PT.
Questions? Contact Christy.Duncan-Anderson@albertsons.com.
June 24
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Weekly School Meals and Summer Programs Sponsors Call - 2pm | Register Here
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June 30
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Make sure to use all your DoD Fresh Entitlement!
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August 4
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NSLP and FDP Annual Training Live Webinar - 1pm | Register Here
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August 31
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Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Applications Due in WINS
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