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In School Year 21–22, school food authorities have the option to operate the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). With the return to in-person instruction and the anticipated end of the public health emergency, Child Nutrition Services will resume conducting administrative reviews (ARs) for sponsors operating the NSLP/ SBP and SSO in school year 21-22. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released guidance allowing SSO reviews to count towards the state NSLP Administrative Review Cycle.
In a regular school year, a combined administrative review (AR) and procurement review (PR) notification letter would have been e-mailed out to sponsors selected for review in the upcoming school year by June 30. The SY 21–22 e-mail notification letters are delayed as we adjust our processes to meet new USDA guidance.
For SY 21–22, the administrative and procurement review will be conducted separately. Sponsors will receive two e-mail notification letters, one for the administration review and one for the procurement review.
Notification letters will be sent to sponsors selected for review by Monday, August 2, 2021.
Who will selected an Administrative Reviews?
If a sponsor was scheduled for a review in SY 19–20 or SY 20–21, but the AR was not conducted due to the public health emergency, anticipate being selected for an AR in SY 21–22. Preliminary materials will be due September 30, 2021 and must be received prior to approval of your renewal application.
Who will be selected for a Procurement Review?
If your procurement review was postponed in SY 20–21, anticipate a PR will be conducted in SY 21–22. The PR will be conducted off-site and the year of review is school year 20–21. Preliminary materials will be due Wednesday, September 1, 2021.
Submit AR and PR materials to the school meals inbox.
For questions about administrative reviews in SY 21–22, please reach out to your program specialist. For procurement review questions, please reach out to Barb Krogstad, Procurement Specialist.
Congrats to FFVP-Funded Schools!
OSPI Child Nutrition Services has awarded funds to program sites to operate the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) in SY 21-22. A total of 210 schools have been awarded grant funds to increase access to fresh produce as well as provide nutrition education. Congratulations to recipients! Awarded sites and funding amounts can be viewed on the OSPI website.
New and Returning Sponsor Annual Training - Required
Training is required to participate in this program. This year we will be hosting training as a recorded webinar in Moodle for both new and returning sponsors. The webinar will be available in August. This webinar will review program requirements, as well as a discussion about program operations during SSO. Training details and links will be released in future CNS Updates.
Have Questions? Please email Rachel Floyd, School Meal Programs Lead Specialist.
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Thank you for joining us over the past year for our webinars!
Here is the recording from our 6/30 meeting! We look forward to 'seeing' you in the next year.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
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On June 22, 2021 USDA released the Paid Lunch Equity Tool for School Year 2021–2022. The tool is now available on our NSLP Materials and Requirements webpage!
PLE Tool Information
The Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) tool is used to determine the weighted average paid lunch price. This tool determines the new paid lunch price or amount of non-federal funds that must be contributed to the non-profit school food service account (NSFSA).
When completing the PLE Tool for SY 21–22, if SFAs do not have pricing/sales data from October 2020, they can use October 2019 pricing/sales data.
Additional Details
Additionally, USDA will offer an exemption from the PLE pricing requirements to local education agencies with a positive or zero balance in the NSFSA as of December 31, 2020.
As a reminder, SFAs operating SSO only during SY 21–22 do not need to follow PLE requirements for SY 21–22 per Child Nutrition Waiver #97 - Nationwide Waiver to Provide Flexibility for School Meal Programs Administrative Reviews of School Food Authorities Operating Only the Seamless Summer Option in School Year (SY) 2021-2022.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
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 Washington State legislature appropriated 7.2 million in funds to support Child Nutrition Programs in WA during 2020–21. These funds continue to support breakfast assistance and the elimination of reduced-price co-pays for sponsors operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Districts operating the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) are not receiving these NSLP/SBP state funds. To support meal access and distribution, OSPI CNS distributed the second round of funds to these districts in June 2021.
June’s payment is based on the number of SFSP/SSO lunch meals reported on the March 2021 claim for reimbursement. Payments are calculated at $0.522 per lunch meal served in March 2021.
Reporting Codes
- Apportionment - revenue code 4198-05
- AFRS - State Summer Match Funds
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
Discover how to operate the SSO in the upcoming year!
In SY21–22, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) will be allowed to operate the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in lieu of the National School Lunch Program.
Register Here!
Date: Thursday, August 19
Time: 1–4 pm PT
August orders open Wednesday, July 7, and will close Wednesday, July 14, at 4 pm.
Surplus orders will open Thursday, July 15 at 1pm for groups 1–3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, July 16, at 4 pm.
For more information on your group number, please review the SY 21–22 Order and Delivery Schedule.
Ordering
- To place an order - log-in to CNP Web.
- Your Food Distribution Application must be completed (including certified and submitted) before you can place an order.
- Ordering Instructions
- Reminder:
The Ordering and Receiving webpage has multiple resources to assist you in placing your ordering including; instructions, order and distribution schedule.
Important Reminders
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Confirmation of USDA Foods If you’re scheduled to receive a USDA Foods Delivery, you should receive an appointment confirmation from the carrier. Please remember to reply to the carrier confirming receipt of appointment.
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To update or change your delivery contact person, please complete the Delivery Updates Form.
Questions? Please email the Food Distribution Office or call 360-725-6204.
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July 7–14
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USDA Foods August Order Period Open in CNP Web.
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July 15
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June Claim Due in WINS!
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July 15–16
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USDA Foods Surplus Ordering Period in CNP Web.
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July 30
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May Claim 60-day Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim
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August 11
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SY21–22 School Meal ProgramsAnnual Updates Webinar - Register Here
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