April 2026 Announcements
It’s time to think about summer!
Join us for the Wednesday Webinar April 15th, 2-3pm to discuss SFSP 2026, bring your questions! Click HERE to Join. Webinars will also be recorded for later viewing.
The 2026 SFSP MAPS online applications are open NOW with a submission deadline of May 15th, 2026. For any schools planning to operate this year who did not operate last year, please contact OPI’s SFSP specialist as soon as possible to be set up for 2026.
The 2026 required online annual training is available NOW for sponsors to complete.
Be sure to check OPI's SFSP website regularly for the most up to date information and visit the SFSP Training library for handouts and videos covering meal counting, non-congregate meal service, administrative reviews, program requirements, and more.
For questions or additional information, please contact SFSP Specialist Sarah Kuhn at 406-594-9747 or Sarah.Kuhn2@mt.gov.
Continuing Education for Staff
Please see the SY25-26 Training Schedule as we have live webinars coming up in April and May (these presentations are also recorded and available to watch here).
Webinar Wednesday Topics (2pm most Wednesdays throughout the school year):
- April 1st: FFVP SY26-27 Application Process and other FFVP information
- April 15: Summer Food Service Program Information (application, training requirements, etc.)
- April 22: SY26-27 OPI SNP Administrative Review Prep for Food Service Staff (if your district is on review next year, we highly recommend you attend)
- April 29: SY26-27 OPI SNP Administrative Review Prep for School Clerks and Determining Officials (if your district is on review next year, we highly recommend you attend)
SY2026-27 MAPS Application Packets Open April 1st
School Nutrition Programs sponsors must complete & submit all sections by June 30.
FFVP Information for SY2026-27 Application Packets
All elementary sites will be invited to participate in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) however OPI SNP will prioritize approval for those with the highest free/reduced. Sponsors that do not plan to operate FFVP in SY2026-27 should not complete the FFVP section of the application packet. Sponsors that do plan to operate FFVP in SY2026-27 must complete the FFVP application section in the MAPS Application Packet, attach the signed FFVP Signature Page into the MAPS Application Packet, complete required annual FFVP training (April 1st, 2026 2pm Webinar Wednesday topic is FFVP), and only operate FFVP outside of NSLP/SBP meal times. FFVP application is due by June 30th. If not elected or submitted, FFVP will be removed from application packet. See online FFVP resources for information.
April 1st CEP ISP Data & CEP election for SY2026-27
The annual Identified Student Percent (ISP) DCA snapshot data has been captured to determine CEP qualifications for the upcoming school year. Sponsors may review the 4/1/2026 CEP ISP data in MAPS within the Application menu under the form titled Community Eligibility Provision for school year 2025-26. Any corrections or additions (private non-accredited schools) to this data must be received by April 15 (no need to confirm the CEP-ISP data if correct). Sponsors wanting to participate in CEP must complete the SY 2026-27 MAPS Application Packet and CEP Schedule by June 30. See the online CEP resources for additional information.
Claims for Reimbursement
Select the 2025-26 Program Year to submit claims for the remainder of the current school year. Locate the Program Year selection in the upper-right-hand corner of the screen. MAPS will now default to the new school year 2026-27. Claims are due the 10th of each month.
Incorporating Local Beef into Child Nutrition Programs
USDA Food and Nutrition Service is pleased to share the SP 03-2026, CACFP 02-2026, SFSP 02-2026, Incorporating Local Beef into Child Nutrition Program Meals [fns.usda.gov] memorandum. This memorandum provides helpful resources and strategies for Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operators and ranchers to incorporate local beef into school meals. Resource topics cover procurement, funding resources, food safety, crediting, and technical assistance contacts from the Farm to School Program.
This memorandum is in support of Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ commitment to American beef and the recently published USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry [usda.gov].
CNP operators should direct any questions regarding this memorandum to the appropriate State agency. State agencies should direct questions to the appropriate FNS Regional Office.
PDF [usdagcc.sharepoint.com]/Word [usdagcc.sharepoint.com]
DATE: March 3, 2026
MEMO CODE: CRD 01-2026
TO: Regional Directors
All Food and Nutrition Service Programs
All Regions
State Directors
All Food and Nutrition Service Programs
All Regions
SUBJECT: Modifying the FNS Instruction 113-1: Civil Rights Compliance and
Enforcement – Nutrition Programs and Activities
This memorandum seeks to ensure that current Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
guidance pertaining to federal civil rights and nondiscrimination obligations remains
aligned with applicable laws, regulations, executive orders and directives relevant to the Agency’s 16 nutrition assistance programs. In that vein, FNS is modifying the FNS
Instruction 113-1: Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement – Nutrition Programs and
Activities, and developing a new guidance tool which will be used to provide assistance and direction to FNS employees and recipients of federal financial assistance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Amended guidance will be released when finalized.
In the interim, civil rights and nondiscrimination laws and regulations remain in effect,
along with related compliance and enforcement requirements. FNS Program offices and State agencies are advised to immediately discontinue citing FNS Instruction 113-1 when there are noncompliance issues or concerns resulting from management
evaluations (MEs), compliance reviews or any similar monitoring and oversight
activities, and to discontinue utilizing FNS Instruction 113-1 for technical guidance.
Rather, pertinent civil rights and nondiscrimination laws1 and regulations2 should be
cited and utilized instead.
FNS Program offices and State agencies are reminded to distribute this memorandum
to their staff, local agencies and other program providers. In the interim while release of amended guidance is pending, FNS Program offices and State agencies should direct all questions regarding civil rights and nondiscrimination obligations to CRD at
SM.FN.CR-Compliance@usda.gov. Local agencies and other program providers should direct all questions regarding civil rights and nondiscrimination obligations to their respective State agency.
Roberto Contreras
Director
Civil Rights Division
Food and Nutrition Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
cc: FNS Administrator
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
FNS Associate Administrators
FNS Regional Administrators
FNS Regional Civil Rights Officers
OASCR Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
OASCR Chief of Staff
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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