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Child Nutrition Services has been making improvements to the Direct Certification system in the student search matching function and other background functions.
On December 20, 2019, we discovered an increase in the number of students with the reason qualified category “Migrant”. Students originally matched for free and reduced-price meals were subject to a change in reason qualified “Migrant”.
This issue has been corrected. Many of the student eligibility statuses displayed on the Direct Certification lists December 4, 2019, through January 10, 2020, are incorrect. These students can be identified because they display as “Migrant” with a blank “Date Eligible” field. Assessment of this issue indicates the majority of these students are actually eligible by Medicaid for either free or reduced-priced meals. This may represent a change in eligibility status in the case where students were appearing as Free by Migrant, but are actually Reduced-Price by Medicaid. These students must be changed back to their original benefits and a reduction in eligibility status.
If you downloaded the direct certification list between December 4, 2019, and January 10, 2020, we suggest you download again for correct data.
If you need assistance with notification of households or have other concerns about this information, please contact Wendy Barkley at wendy.barkley@k12.wa.us or 360-725-0433.
We will be releasing the new Child Nutrition Programs Permanent Agreement the week of January 20.
All sponsors participating in Child Nutrition Programs signed a Permanent Agreement when they first began operating a Child Nutrition Program. OSPI CNS was required to make changes to the Permanent Agreement including combining separate program agreements (National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), etc.) into one unified agreement.
Note: This Permanent Agreement is separate from the annual renewal that is completed in the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS).
Here’s what you need to know:
- The new agreement includes all Child Nutrition Programs and applies to any program a sponsor is eligible to operate.
- For Local Education Agencies, the Superintendent is the designated signer. For all other sponsor types, the designated signer depends on your organization structure.
- We will be using DocuSign to collect electronic signatures. We will send an email containing the document – called an “envelope” – to the designated signer.
- The new agreement will replace the one currently in effect between OSPI and your organization.
Questions? Email Amber Lopez or call 360-725-6208.
Winter weather is upon us! We realize that inclement weather or other events may sometimes unexpectedly affect your district's hours of operation, staff availability, and access to buildings.
IMPORTANT!
Notify your carrier as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change your delivery of USDA Foods. Deliveries combine orders from multiple districts, loaded in the order they will be delivered. Early notification to your carrier allows for adjustments so other districts may still receive their order.
If your school or district experiences unexpected closures and your delivery cannot be accepted, please contact the Empire Distribution System (IEDS) carrier that delivers your USDA Foods:
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Holman Transportation – 253-867-0682
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Fastway Transportation – 509-534-9351
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Peninsula Transportation – 800-942-9909
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Oak Harbor Transportation – 253-288-8370
Loading docks and delivery areas must be clear of snow and ice to allow for safe deliveries. Please work with your facilities department to ensure your delivery area is ready.
Thank you for assisting the carriers that serve you!
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (DoD Fresh) allows schools to use USDA Foods entitlement dollars to buy domestically grown fresh produce.
If you are interested in participating in the DoD Fresh Program, please complete the 2020-21 DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Enrollment Form by January 31, 2020.
Participation in the DoD Fresh Program is optional.
Questions? Email Sarah Davis or call 360-725-6215.
Help us determine which USDA Direct items to add to our Washington state product list for the 2020-21 school year by completing the 2020-21 USDA Foods Interest survey.
The survey closes January 20th at 4pm.
If you have any questions regarding this survey please contact Trisha Santee at 360-725-6204.
*Note: This survey does not include all available items for school year 2020-21.
The Verification Summary Report is due February 1st. Please note that completion of this report is required by February 1st and is tied to submission of the January claim for reimbursement. In order to access the January claim, the Verification Summary Report must be completed.
All sponsors must complete the Verification Summary Report regardless of whether the verification process is required. This includes residential child care institutions, private schools, charter schools, as well as schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2 for all schools in the district. The report is abbreviated for sponsors that are not required to conduct the verification process and we have created a reference sheet to assist you.
The Verification Summary Report is completed in the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) this year.
The report template from past years is still available on the CNS Verification webpage. We recommend completing the template, this will help you collect the required information so you can enter the information in WINS. Additionally, there is a recorded webinar available to help you.
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
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The Orientation to School Nutrition Management training provides an overview of the management components of school nutrition programs.
If you are a school nutrition program staff with fewer than 5 years’ experience as a director, or someone who aspires to be a director, this training is for you!
We will be working with ICN to bring this training to the East side of the state in 2020. Please keep an eye out for future updates.
Does Your District Operate on the West Side of the State? Register Now!
Where?: Olympia School District - Knox Administrative Center
When?: February 24 - 28, 2020
Cost?: There is no cost to attend training - Just pay for travel and meals.
Register Here!
Questions? Please email Samantha Brueske or call 360-725-6212.
The School Nutrition Foundation offers scholarships to help pay for you to attend the School Nutrition Industry Conference, and the Legislative Action Conference!
View the School Nutrition Foundation's Scholarship webpage for more information.
The WSNA 2020 Industry Seminar and USDA Foods Tasting Show on Tuesday, February 18 and 19th at Emerald Downs in Auburn is around the corner! You can register online or download a registration form. The Early Bird registration deadline is Tuesday, February 4th.
The USDA Foods Tasting Show will only include items that will be on contract for the 2020-21 school year. This is a great opportunity to taste products prior to completing your Food Distribution preorder for the 2020-21 school year! In addition, there will be an opportunity to attend informational sessions on best practices and tips for managing your USDA Foods entitlement.
For more information about the USDA Foods Tasting Show, contact Marlon Hopkins at 360-725-6209. For more information about Industry Seminar or the Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA), visit www.washingtonsna.org or contact Marianne Culligan at 206-714-5832.
Each year, the American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA) sponsors a national conference.
When registering for this event, you will be able to attend educational and networking opportunities at an ACDA conference. Additionally, this conference focuses on how to strengthen USDA Food Distribution Programs.
Join OSPI CNS in Seattle!
We look forward to seeing you there! Come learn from industry leaders about topics ranging from:
- Using Technology
- New and Reformulated USDA Foods
- How to cook for special diets
- Procurement - What to include in your RFP's, BID's and IFP's
- Hot Topics in USDA Foods Programs
Conference Information
Date: April 27 - 30, 2020
Location: Hyatt Regency Seattle - Book by March 31, 2020, to receive a discount!
For more information, and to register for the event, please visit the ACDA Annual Conference webpage.
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