Thank You for Joining Us Since March!
OSPI CNS has hosted webinars since the start of the COVID pandemic. Thank you for your questions during these chats.
We will be hosting a new series of webinars in the new year. Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates with details.
You can review the recording from our 12/16 meeting here.
|
OSPI CNS has two grant opportunities!
Both grants are open in the iGrants system. Program operators may apply for these grants even though they are currently operating the Summer Meal Programs.
USDA Equipment Assistance Grant- $433,416.00 Form Package 472
If you are a public school district, private school, tribal school, charter school or residential childcare institution, you are eligible to apply. You are eligible even if you are operating the SFSP in the 20-21 school year.
Focus Areas for This Grant
Replacing aging equipment or updating equipment, adopting lunchroom changes that provide more convenience and appeal to students, and making meaningful impacts on student nutrition and quality of meals.
Note: Equipment must meet USDA definition of equipment with a per unit cost of $1,000 or more.
Interested in Applying?
Complete your application in iGrants (form package 472) before 4 pm PT on Thursday, January 28, 2021.
Review the NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Interest Webinar for an overview of the application, important changes from previous year's applications, tips and tricks, and grant timelines.
|
Meal for Kids Meal Access Grant - $500,000 Form Package 383
This grant is available to public school districts, tribal compact schools and charter schools.
Focus Areas for This Grant
This grant focuses on starting a new meal program, increasing participation in an existing program, improving program meal quality, and improving the equipment and facilities used in an existing program.
Interested in Applying?
Complete your application in iGrants (form package 383) before 4 pm PT on Thursday, January 28, 2021.
Review the Meal Access Grant Interest Webinar for an overview of the application, important changes from previous year's applications, tips and tricks, and grant timelines.
Questions? Please email Wendy Barkley, CNS Assistant Director.
|
Is Your Organization Planning to Operate SFSP/SSO through June?
If your meal service is approved through December 31, you must revise your calendar to reflect operations through the end of the school year. You must complete the steps below by December 31, 2020:
- Make adjustments to your SY 20-21 WINS calendar(s) to reflect your last day of operation or June 30, 2021 whichever is sooner.
- Notify your program specialist.
NOTE: Meals are only eligible for reimbursement when served during the state agency approved dates and times per 7 CFR 225.16. Calendar extensions must be approved prior to meal service.
Providing Meals for the Holiday Breaks?
If you’re planning to provide meals over the holidays, you may need to update WINS and your Meal Distribution Plan (MDP).
- Ensure non-operating days in your SY 20-21 WINS Calendar(s) are updated prior to meal service. WINS requires calendars with a NSLP/SBP October Building Data schedule to contain at least one non-operating day. A Saturday, Sunday, or the day following the last day of operation can be used as a non-operating day if the site is operating during all holidays and term breaks.
- If your Meal Distribution Plan for the Holiday Break differs from your normal operation, please notify your Program Specialist.
Changed your Meal Service Operation?
Submit a new Meal Distribution Plan to reflect your updated meal service models.
Adding or Removing Meal Service Sites?
A site application and calendar should be submitted for new meal service sites. The end date in the site calendar should be revised for sites that will cease operations.
Questions? Contact your Program Specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the Proposed Rule, Restoration of Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Flexibilities maintaining the 2018 final rule on school meals flexibilities.
The proposed rule would continue the flexibility in USDA child nutrition program meal requirements related to milk, grains, and sodium, by:
- Allowing flavored, low-fat milk in the Child Nutrition Programs;
- Allowing half of the weekly grains offered through the school meal programs to be whole grain-rich; and
- Providing schools more time for gradual sodium reduction by retaining Sodium Target 1 through the end of SY 2023-2024, continuing to Target 2 in SY 2024-2025, and eliminating the Final Target.
Public comment period ends today, December 28, 2020.
Program operators and stakeholders can submit their comments and recommendations through regulations.gov.
Help us determine which items to add to our Washington state product list for the 2021-22 school year!
The 2021-22 USDA Food Interest Survey opens next week at 8 am on Monday, January 4. The survey closes at 4pm PT on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Important Details
- This survey does not include all USDA available items.
- Items with the highest interest shown will be included on the 2021-22 Pre Order Survey.
Responses received after 4:00pm PT on January 14, 2021, may not be considered.
Questions? Please email the FDP team.
|
Are you in need of additional entitlement for the remainder of the School Year? If so, now is your chance!
Complete the SY20-21 Additional Entitlement Request form starting Wednesday!
The request form opens at 8am on Wednesday, December 16, and closes at 4pm PT on Friday, January 15, 2021.
Important Information Regarding Additional Entitlement
- Requests are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
- Allotted amounts could range from zero (0) to the total amount requested.
- Must be used during the February, March, & April order periods.
- May be used with DOD.
Requests received after 4:00pm on January 15, 2021, may not be considered for additional entitlement funds.
Questions? Please email the FDP Team.
|
|
December 30
|
October Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your October Claims!
|
|
December 31
|
Operating SFSP through the end of the School Year? SFSP Calendar revisions are due in WINS!
|
|
December 31
|
October Building Data Due in WINS
|
|
December 31
|
Child Nutrition Financial Report (CNFR) due for RCCI's and Private Schools
|
|
December 31
|
Form 1505 due for Food Service Management Company (FSMC) Sponsors
|
|
