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Lunch n’ Learn webinars are short, concise, high-level “power sessions” on specific CACFP-related topics. Most of the topics are based on sponsor suggestions and we will be presenting a different one each month from February through September!
Register Here
Date: Tuesday, February 23
Time: 2:30 – 3pm PT
During this webinar we will discuss:
- Requirements to follow when creating menus
- Menu planning resources
- Exploration of creative and culturally-diverse recipes
- Incorporating local, indigenous foods
- Time at the end for a Q&As
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Child Nutrition Services (CNS) has been approved for a waiver by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows us to implement a “gap year” on administrative reviews scheduled for FY21. Last week CACFP Sponsors were emailed this notification and we would like to clarify, all administrative reviews conducted by the state agency slated for FY21 will move to FY22.
This only pertains to state agency administrative reviews and does not change requirements for sponsoring organizations monitoring requirements.
Technical Assistance Visits
CNS will instead provide alternative technical assistance during this gap year, focusing on supporting our sponsors through training, review of processes, procedures, and tools to review program requirements. It will also allow us to provide guidance and ensure program integrity.
Visits will result in Specialist recommendations and the sharing of resources and best practices. However, claim revisions may be required if meal counting and claiming issues are identified.
Scheduled procurement reviews will still occur as planned.
The USDA did not offer a waiver for CACFP Audits, therefore these will continue as planned for 20-21.
Watch the updates for training opportunities and activities that allow for sharing of best practices during this pandemic.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
OSPI Child Nutrition submitted a Monitoring Waiver request to USDA to allow flexibilities for sponsoring organizations participating in CACFP in the state of Washington.
Meal Distribution Plans submitted with renewal this past Fall only allow sponsors to conduct monitoring visits off-site and do not include any other flexibilities. If you intend to use any of the monitoring flexibilities described below please submit a Meal Distribution Plan or Meal Distribution Plan Update Survey.
The following monitoring requirements have been waived:
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7 CFR 226.16(d)(4)(iii) Sponsoring Organizations must review each CACFP facility three times a year.
- Waiver allows for 2 reviews to be conducted instead of 3
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7 CFR 226.16 (d)(4)(iii)(A) Two of the three reviews must be unannounced.
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Waiver allows for all visits to be announced
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7 CFR 226.16(d)(4)(iii)(B) that at least one unannounced review must include observation of a meal service.
- Waiver allows for meal observation to be conducted at one of the announced visits
Action Required
The Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) provides the state agency information about which waivers you intend to use and how you will be distributing meals.
Submit Meal Distribution Plan if you did not complete an MDP with renewal this year and at least one of the following statements now applies:
- Intend to use the Monitoring Waiver
- Intend to use any of the Nationwide Waivers
- Organization has been closed but is now reopening. Meal distribution at one or more sites will be conducted differently than it is normally and/or Nationwide Waiver(s) will be utilized.
Submit Meal Distribution Plan Update Survey if you have already submitted an MDP AND at least one of the following statements now applies:
- Intend to use the Monitoring Waiver
- Changes have been made to the current meal distribution model
- Intend to use one of the Nationwide Waivers not previously selected on the MDP or MDP Update Survey
The Monitoring Waiver approved for CACFP in Washington state is in addition to Nationwide waivers granted from USDA. For a current list of Waivers for Washington State, please check the COVID-19 Nutrition and Meals webpage
The Consolidated Appropriations and COVID Stimulus and Relief Bill passed Section 722 on December 28, 2020. This section includes funding for CNP program operators for the purpose of covering emergency operating costs incurred during the public health emergency.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 06-2021, CACFP 05-2021:Child Nutrition Program Emergency Operating Costs During COVID-19: Implementation Guidance for State Agencies. This memo includes the formula for calculating benefits.
Funds are available for sponsors who experienced a significant drop in claim reimbursement in March, April, May, and June 2020 due to the pandemic.
Calculation of Funds
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For April through June = 2019 Claim – 2020 Claim x .55%
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For March= 2019 Claim – 2020 Claim x .55%, divided by 2
Next Steps
OSPI Child Nutrition Services must submit an implementation plan to USDA for approval before funds may be issued. Calculations will be done by Child Nutrition Services and automatically issued to sponsors. No action is required by sponsors.
Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates for more details as they become available.
Have Questions? Please email communitynutrition@k12.wa.us.
In 2019, we transitioned to weekly CNS Newsletters to keep the number of emails you receive to a minimum.
These program updates help keep you up-to-date on changes in your programs and share important mandatory information, as well as good to know information at the bottom of the update.
Please note: if there are urgent updates, those will still come as soon as possible in a separate email and will not wait until the following week to be sent out. Please keep your eye out!
To help you navigate the CNS Newsletter format, here are a few helpful tips:
1. Use the Table of Contents at the Beginning of the Newsletter
At the top of every newsletter there is a table of contents to give you an overview of what you MUST look at and what is "good to know" (see details below).
2. See "Update" at the Beginning?
Articles with the word Update at the beginning indicates that there is an important update in regards to State or USDA requirements. These are the articles you must review to stay in the loop about requirements.
3. If you see "Reminder" at the Beginning of the Article
Reminders are previous "updates" that are still important, but were shared in previous newsletters.
4. How about "FYI"?
If you see an article starting with FYI, this is a good-to-know. These include resources, outside trainings and opportunities, grant opportunities from partner agencies, or other good-to-know type of items.
5. Highlights
CNS Highlights are articles highlighting good practices, Food, Body, and Mind Awardees, and other items.
6. Important Dates to Remember
You will find these at the bottom of every newsletter. They will include things like claim due dates, upcoming training and webinars, and other important dates.
We hope this is helpful! If you have any questions or comments about the format, please reach out to Samantha Brueske, Training and Communications Specialist.
The USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative is excited to announce new meal pattern training slide presentations for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). These ready-to-go presentation slides may be used by State agencies, sponsoring organizations, child care centers, and others to train providers, operators, and menu planners.
The three new slide presentations include:
- Mealtimes with Toddlers in the CACFP
- Serving Vegetables in the CACFP
- Using the WIC Food Lists to Identify Grains for the CACFP
Download the slides and other resources from the Team Nutrition webpage.
Please contact TeamNutrition@USDA.gov with any questions about these new resources.
Grains are an important part of meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Starting October 1, 2021, all program operators will be required to use ounce equivalents (oz. eq.) when menu planning. Now is a great time to start learning about what they are and how to use them!
More About Grains and Oz. Eq.
To make sure children and adults get enough grains at CACFP meals and snacks, minimum required amounts for grains are listed in the meal pattern as ounce equivalents (oz eq). Ounce equivalents tell you the amount of grain in a portion of food.
Resources
The USDA Team Nutrition CACFP Grains Ounce Equivalents Resources webpage has training tools, worksheets, webinars, and more to help you with this change! Some tools include:
- Grains Measuring Chart
- Crediting Single-Serving Packages of Grains
- Feeding Infants Using Ounce Equivalents for Grains
- Determining Ounce Equivalents of Grains in CACFP Recipes
- Calculating Ounce Equivalents for Grains
- Using Grains Measuring Charts,
- Using Nutrition Facts Labels, and;
- Additional Measuring Tools!
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Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
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March 1
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December Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your December Claims!
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March 15
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February Claims Due in WINS
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