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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released CACFP 11-2021, SFSP 07-2021: Collection of Race and Ethnicity Data by Visual Observation and Identification in the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) – Policy Rescission.
This memo rescinds policy guidance in FNS Instruction 113-1, Appendix B section F regarding Visual Observation and Identification in CACFP and SFSP.
Visual observation and identification can no longer be used to collect race and ethnicity data. Self-identification and self-reporting remain the preferred method of data collection. Sponsors should continue to encourage participants to self-identify and self-report. However, sponsors may utilize data from other sources in which participants have self-identified race or ethnicity, such as school databases.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
During these webinars OSPI CNS will discuss hot topics, highlight important reminders, and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Register Here
Dates: Every other Wednesday through 6/30/2021
Time: 2–3 pm PT
Program operators offering the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/ School Breakfast Program (SBP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during the 20–21 school year are encouraged to join us for these webinars.
Reminders
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Follow up emails are not sent sent after the meeting. The 5/19 webinar focused on School Meal Operations in SY21–22, however if you missed our previous webinar, you can review the recording from our 5/5 meeting here.
- Save us on your calendar! When you register, there is an option to add us to your calendar at the bottom of the confirmation email.
- A reminder email with your link to log into the webinar is sent 1 hour before the session starts.
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Planning to operate this summer? Ensure your application is submitted by the recommended deadline to guarantee it’s reviewed before your planned start date.
- Starting between June 16-30? Submit now!
- Starting between July 1-15? Submit by June 4.
- Starting after July 16? Submit by June 15.
All applications must be received by June 15, the federal application deadline. Please note that it can take up to 30 days to process a complete application.
Application Materials Include:
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Summer 2021 SFSP & SSO Application Checklist – The checklist will help you ensure all application and Meal Distribution Plan requirements are met.
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NEW – Summer 2021 Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) Survey – Required to operate SFSP or SSO in Summer 2021
- Application Bulletins
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Continuing Sponsors - Organizations that operated SFSP during SY 20-21. A new application is not required for sponsors currently operating SFSP/SSO. Please update your WINS and submit the Summer 2021 Meal Distribution Plan.
Additional application materials can be found on the SFSP Program Materials/Forms webpage.
Questions? Contact your Program Specialist or email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
OSPI CNS invites you to participate in WA Farm to Summer Week!
During our last Lunch and Learn we shared how to incorporate Farm to Summer programming as part of your SFSP operations and encouraged sponsors to celebrate WA's Farm to Summer Week, July 12–16, 2021.
Take the pledge and let us know you're participating!
OSPI Farm to Summer Resources
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist or Kendra Vandree, OSPI's Farm to Summer contact.
As you are planning your summer operation, now is the time to reach out to other sponsors who may be operating in your community! Sponsors who participate in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) must coordinate with other sponsors to ensure efforts are not duplicated. Under SFSP, two meals may be served and claimed each day. If children are already receiving two meals from a program sponsor, an additional two meals may not be served and claimed under SFSP by another sponsor.
In Washington, some school districts are required to offer a summer meal program. Check in with your local school district to learn what their summer plans are!
To learn who also may be operating in your community, please reference USDA’s Capacity Builder or contact OSPI.
Questions? Contact your Program Specialist or email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
Child Nutrition Services (CNS) invited the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) to conduct several FREE trainings over the coming year. These sessions can be attended by any food services staff, and they offer Professional Standards.
There is a limit of 2 participants from each site per training. We will be offering sessions more than once so there will be more opportunities to attend later in the year.
Trainings
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Basic Culinary Math - This training allows participants to review and practice basic culinary math skills and focus on key skills such as measuring and converting measurements, scaling recipes, and calculating food costs.
Sign-Up Here
Date: Tuesday, May 25
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
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Food Safety Basics - This session is designed to provide a basic understanding of food safety. Lessons include methods for training staff, how to prevent foodborne illness, and resources for monitoring.
Sign-Up Here
Date: Thursday, May 27
Time: 12 - 4pm PT
Registration Information
Participants register for the training using the pdEnroller platform.
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Each participant must have their own pdEnroller account to sign up for the training if you do not have one currently. You may use this link to create an account, if needed.
- Keep your confirmation email!
- This email is your portal to the training session and additional handouts for the training.
- Pro Tip: You can add events to your calendar via the event page, this way your Zoom access link is available from your calendar.
- Can't Attend?
- Log into your account.
- Select your name in the upper right hand corner.
- Click on 'My Events'.
- Upcoming events appear at the top of your screen, you should see the class and a 'Cancel Registration' button.
- You can cancel your registration at any time using pdEnroller.
- Waitlist Participants:
- PdEnroller notifies CNS of the number of interested participants and automatically creates a waitlist when the session is filled.
- If someone cancels their attendance, pdEnroller automatically notifies the next person on the waitlist and gives them an opportunity to register - keep an eye out in your emails.
IMPORTANT:
- The ICN requires a minimum of 15 registrants per session to conduct the training. If there are not a minimum of 15 registrants, the training will be canceled.
- There is a limit of 25 participants for each session.
Have Questions? Please email Samantha Brueske, Training and Communications Specialist.
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The Washington State Farm to School & Scratch Cooking Institutes will be a professional development opportunity for child nutrition program food service staff. We encourage ECE administrators, educators, and other partners to develop your farm to apply! The focus of this training will be to use more local, Washington grown foods in scratch-made meals.
Whether starting or expanding your farm to school efforts, the Institutes’ two-day intensive will provide training from expert trainers and guest speakers to assist in the development of Farm to School Action Plans. Regular cohort support check-in calls will also be conducted through fall 2021.
Read more & apply here! Applications are due June 11, 2021.
Locations
- August 19-20 – Tribal & Traditional School Foods Institute
- August 23-24 – Central & Eastern Washington Institute
- August 26-27 – Western Washington Institute
Cost
Attending the institute is free for school district or ECE staff and partners within Washington State, thanks to the support of a USDA Farm to School Grant.
Questions? Please email Chris Iberle, WSDA Farm to School Lead at or call 206-714-2757
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June 1
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March Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim!
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June 2
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Bi-Weekly Webinar | Register Here
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June 15
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Federal SFSP Application Deadline— Please note that it can take up to 30 days to process a complete application. |
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June 15
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May claims due in WINS. |
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