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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a Federal Register Notice, Identifying Barriers in USDA Programs and Services; Advancing Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities at USDA.
USDA seeks to identify opportunities in current USDA policies, regulations, and guidance to address systemic inequities. The 30-day Notice will be available for public input until July 15, 2021.
Submit your comments regarding:
- How USDA can advance racial justice and equity for underserved communities
- How people of color and underserved communities and individuals may face in obtaining information from USDA.
- This includes accessing, enrolling, and participating in USDA programs and services, and engaging with USDA staff.
- How to best engage external stakeholders and community members representing marginalized, vulnerable, or underserved communities in order to increase participation in USDA programs, services, committees and decision-making processes.
In the months ahead, USDA will establish a Racial Equity Commission. The Racial Equity Commission will focus specifically on addressing systemic impediments to equity in USDA programs. USDA is asking for comments on any and all interactions with USDA programs. All comments will be aggregated, summarized, and shared with USDA Leadership and the Racial Equity Commission.
Questions? Please reach out to kelly.blondin@usda.gov.
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides healthy meals to all children ages 18 & under, and students ages 21 and under enrolled in a Washington school district.
SFSP sponsors must promote meal access to all children. This includes providing accommodations for children with disabilities who have special dietary needs.
Often times accommodations can be made within the meal pattern requirements. If this is the case, a medical statement is not required. Examples of this may include modifying the texture of meals (pureed, chopped, etc.) and substituting food items from the same component.
Potential Substitutions
Gluten Free Grains
- Corn Products, such as tortillas, tortilla chips, popcorn, corn-based cereals
- Rice Products, such as rice crackers, enriched white or brown rice, rice cereals
- Oat Products, such as gluten-free oatmeal or oat-based granola bars
Milk Alternatives*
- Lactose-free milk
- Lactose-reduced milk
*Please note that approved milk substitutes are not creditable in SFSP without a note signed by a state-recognized medical authority.
Meat Alternates
- Yogurt, flavored or unflavored and nonfat, low-fat, or whole
- Cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, American, or Swiss
- Beans or Peas, such as black beans, refried beans, chickpeas, or hummus
- Nuts/Seeds*, such as almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds
- Nut/Seed Butters, such as almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower butter
- Eggs
*Please note that Nuts/Seeds may only comprise 50% of the M/MA component at lunch/supper.
Substitutions Outside the Meal Pattern
If an accommodation cannot be made within the meal pattern requirements, a statement signed by a state-recognized medical authority would need to be submitted. The statement must detail:
- Food(s) to be avoided
- How the food impacts the participant
- Food(s) to be substituted
OSPI has developed the Special Dietary Accommodations Form, available in both English & Spanish, as a resource. When supported by a signature from a state-recognized medical authority, meal modifications that do not meet meal pattern requirements can be claimed for reimbursement.
Resources on Special Dietary Accommodations
Questions? Please email the Summer Meals inbox.
Order Your Kit by Wednesday, 6/30!
OSPI Child Nutrition Services developed Site Promotion Kits to help promote and support your SFSP sites this summer!
You can order these kits to be shipped to you at no cost by completing the order form below. Sponsors can order up to one kit per SFSP site they plan to operate this summer.
Order Site Promotion Kits Here
IMPORTANT! Please provide a shipping address that receives UPS/FedEx packages. Packages cannot be delivered to PO boxes.
Kits include:
- Bookmarks
- And Justice for All Poster
- Site Rules in English & Spanish
- Farm to Summer Week Flyer
- Meal Pattern & Exhibit A Guide
- Site Supervisor Guide in English & Spanish
Questions? Please email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #79 – Nationwide Waiver to Allow Offer versus Serve Flexibilities in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Summer 2021 Operations – Extension 3 allows non-School Food Authority (SFA) sponsors and SFAs to follow the SFSP OVS meal service parameters.
Guidance was previously provided that OVS could be implemented with milk only. OSPI has received further guidance from the USDA that non-SFA sponsors are unable to limit OVS to milk only.
Offer vs Serve requirements must be followed in their entirety. OVS cannot be used as a way to circumvent meal pattern requirements or eliminate specific components.
SFSP OVS Requirements
Breakfast
Four (4) food items must be offered:
- 1 serving of fruit/vegetable
- 1 serving of grains
- 1 serving of fluid milk
- 1 additional serving of fruit/vegetable, grains, milk, or meat/meat alternate
In addition:
- All food items must be different.
- A child must select at least three (3) different items to have a reimbursable meal.
Lunch or Supper
Four (4) required components and five (5) different items must be offered:
- 1 serving of meat/meat alternate
- 2 different servings of fruit/vegetables
- 1 serving of grains
- 1 serving of fluid milk
In addition:
- All food items must be different.
- A child must select at least 3 components to have a reimbursable meal.
USDA has developed the SFSP Offer vs Serve Tip Sheet which provides additional guidance.
Questions? Please email summermeals@k12.wa.us.
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 after the meeting. If you missed the previous webinar, you can watch the recording from our 6/16 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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School’s Out Washington and OSPI are partnering together to administer a Summer Program Fund for sponsors offering a summer program that serves young people (ages 4–21). Applications are due July 7, 2021. Contract amounts will range from $5,000–$25,000.
Eligible programs must meet the following criteria:
- Prioritize social connections among young people
- Engage young people in physical and outdoor activities
- Be in-person or mostly in-person (some hybrid components or virtual participation are allowed)
- Provide summer programming to children and/or youth (ages 4-21)
Non-profit community-based organizations, including religious organizations, will be prioritized for this opportunity. However, public agencies and small businesses are eligible to apply. Please note that parks departments and school districts are not eligible.
For more application details and to apply, visit School’s Out Washington’s webpage.
Want more information on this opportunity? An information session is being held today:
Register Here
Date: Today, June 28
Time: 11:30am-1pm
Questions? Email the School's Out Washington Team.
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No Kid Hungry recently released Recipe & Food Skills Handouts to share with Summer Meals. These handouts include fun recipes and food skills to share with kids, teens, and their families! Resources could be provided with your summer meals or be available at your sites. These resources may specifically be a great addition to bulk or grocery-style meals.
Examples of the resources, include:
Handouts are available in both English & Spanish. To view the comprehensive list of Recipe & Food Skills Handouts, visit No Kid Hungry’s webpage.
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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 center 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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Nutrition 101 - This 8-hour course provides a basic overview of nutrition with an emphasis on the importance of balance in daily food choices and the inclusion of physical activity.
Sign-Up Here
Date: Wednesday, July 7 & Thursday, July 8
Time: 12 - 4pm PT (both days)
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.
- Make sure to edit your profile to include your STARS ID to make getting your STARS credits easier!
- 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.
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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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June 29
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April Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim!
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June 30
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Bi-Weekly Webinar - Register Here
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July 15
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June Claim Due in WINS!
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