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We continue to hear of the ongoing challenges around food order cancelations, delays, and shortages. Therefore OSPI will utilize USDA granted state authority to issue a state wide waiver to follow the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) meal pattern until October 1, 2021.
You Must Opt-In to the Meal Pattern Waiver
To participate in the utilization of this waiver, you must “opt-in” by completing this quick Meal Pattern Waiver Opt-In Survey
The SFSP meal pattern may help by allowing meals with:
- Any fat content/flavor of milk and no milk variety offering
- Non-whole grain rich, grain items
- Option to serve two servings of fruit and/or vegetables (versus fruits AND vegetables)
- No dietary specifications
- Allow serve only for all age/grade groups
Join us for a Webinar!
Join OSPI Child Nutrition Services as we discuss menu planning, flexibilities allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), what to consider when ordering inventory, and additional resources.
Register for the Contingency Meal Planning Webinar
Date: Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm PT
Resources
In 2019, the Washington Legislature passed ESHB 1114, now codified as RCW 70A.205.715. This law established statewide food waste reduction goals, tasks us to adopt a food waste reduction plan, determine baseline food waste data, and annually measure progress toward statewide food waste reduction goals.
The food waste prevention plan has been drafted with support from stakeholders and subject matter experts, and the Washington State Department of Ecology is now seeking public comment on the proposed plan to help finalize it.
Submit Your Comments
We encourage you to review the proposed plan and leave a public comment. Public comments will be accepted through September 10, 2021.
To learn more about this effort, visit the Use Food Well Washington plan webpage.
Many school districts are participating in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) this school year using flexibilities allowed in COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #85. This option allows districts to provide breakfast and lunches to students at no charge. Pre-K students at school district sites may be eligible to receive meals under SSO, however, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) does not have the same flexibility through a Nationwide Waiver to provide free meals to all participating children*.
Claiming Reminders
Here are some reminders for Pre-K children (including Head Start, early Head Start, and ECEAP) and early learning programs that may be participating at schools:
- The district can provide and claim breakfast and lunch meals distributed to children attending their on-campus pre-school or early learning center.
- Children must be enrolled in the district if the site is operating as a “closed” SSO site.
- If Pre-K/Head Start/ECEAP students are not enrolled in the district and the school is operating “closed” SSO sites— the meals may not be claimed by the district and the program must establish a Vended Meal Agreement with the district.
- AM or PM Snack served to Pre-K children must be claimed under CACFP.
- School districts wanting to claim Pre-K Snacks need to apply or renew their CACFP application.
- Children participating in Head Start/Early Head Start/ECEAP are automatically eligible for free meals in CACFP (with documentation on file from the contractor agency). A CACFP Enrollment form is required.
- Pre-K programs enrolling community children (tuition-based preschool, transitional kindergarten) must collect income eligibility applications and conduct a study month.
Meal Pattern Reminders
- Pre-K meals provided by the district and claimed on SSO must meet the CACFP Pre-K meal pattern (unless co-mingled with older students).
- Pre-K snacks provided by a School District participating on SSO must meet the CACFP Pre-K meal pattern.
- Pre-K or child care centers receiving vended meals from a School District must meet the CACFP meal pattern.
Review the Serving 3-5 Year Olds in School District Settings recorded training for more information on serving this age group.
New to CACFP? Learn more about this Program and start the application process today!
*Note: The area eligibility waiver (CNR #93) only applies to At-Risk Afterschool Meals and Snacks and also in-home child care providers. Child Nutrition Response (CNR) #93 does not apply to center-based programs, such as Pre-K, Early Learning and Child Care, and Outside School Hours Care Centers.
Hannah Powell, our Summer Program Lead Specialist, will be transitioning to the School Meal Programs Lead Specialist position and relocating to the Vancouver area.
“I am excited for the opportunity to grow my knowledge on additional USDA Child Nutrition Programs, while assisting Local Education Agencies in successfully operating the School Meal Programs and increasing children’s access to nutritious meals.” ~Hannah Powell
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The Washington Department of Health (DOH) recently released updated guidance on K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021–2022 School Year. Updates in this version reflect recently released Center for Disease Control's (CDC) recommendations for schools and seek to achieve two primary goals:
- Minimize transmission of COVID-19 among students and staff in K–12 schools and to their families and broader community.
- Maximize in-person instruction.
Summary of Changes
- Vaccination and face coverings/masks are the most effective tools to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
- All staff and students must continue to wear face coverings/masks, regardless of vaccination status.
- Physical distancing requirements have been updated to support full time in-person instruction.
- Information on how schools should “layer” mitigation strategies for the best outcome is provided.
- Quarantine protocols have been updated to reduce student exclusions from instruction.
- Expanded information on diagnostic and screening testing is provided.
- Updated links to relevant Labor & Industries orders are provided.
- General alignment updates to COVID-19 language are made.
- Extra- and Co-Curricular requirements will be published in early August.
Overview of Prevention Measures
For SY 21–22, schools must plan to provide full time in-person education for all interested students with the following required mitigation measures: face coverings/masks, physical distancing, improving ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfecting, staying home when sick and seeking evaluation, testing as indicated, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, responding to cases of COVID-19, and meeting the reporting requirements to public health.
Visit K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-2022 School Year on DOH’s webpage for more information and check out the CDC Modifying School Spaces during Mealtimes resource for help modifying your mealtime spaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The SY 21-22 Adult Meal Pricing Tool is now available! Adult meal prices must be set at a price sufficient to cover the overall cost of the meal, including the value of the USDA Foods used in the production of the adult meals. Federal funds, student payments, and other nonprofit food service revenues cannot be used to support the cost of the adult meals.
Please review the Adult Meal Pricing Reference Sheet for additional information
Adult Meal Pricing Formulas
- NSLP & SBP: Paid Meal Price + Value of USDA Foods + Performance-Based Reimbursement + NSLP/SBP Paid Reimbursement Rate
- CEP & Provision II: NSLP/SBP Free Reimbursement Rate + Value of USDA Foods + Performance-Based Reimbursement
- SSO: SFSP Self-Prep/Rural Reimbursement Rate + Value of USDA Foods
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Reimbursement rates are posted to the Claims, Fiscal Information, and Resources webpage.
Questions? Contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
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 we're offering STARS credit for those who participate in the live session!
These trainings are not recorded and participants must attend the session to receive credit for participation.
Trainings
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Food Allergies- This is an in-depth training on managing food allergies in school nutrition programs. Food allergy management personnel who take this course will create an outline of a food allergy management plan or have an opportunity to strengthen their existing plan. This course includes information about food allergies, food intolerance, reading food labels, avoiding cross contact, accommodating students with food allergies, laws regarding food allergies, and educating the school community about food allergies.
Register for the Food Allergies Training
Date: Thursday, September 16
Time: 12–4 pm 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.
September orders opened Wednesday, September 1, and will close Wednesday, September 8 at 4 pm.
Surplus orders will open Thursday, September 9 at 1pm for groups 1–3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, September 10, 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 FDP Inbox or call 360-725-6204.
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Due to the dynamic environment of the pandemic, the USDA is allowing states to order additional USDA Direct items in spring 2022.
Please take this opportunity to provide feedback on which items you be interested in ordering by completing this survey by September 10, 2021.
These products would not replace any pre-order survey items. Please let us know what products you would like Washington state to offer in surplus this spring.
These items will be offered in surplus only for orders delivered January through May 2022.
Questions? Please email the FDP Inbox.
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In our efforts to support sponsors in this challenging time, OSPI CNS will credit your cost of delivering USDA Foods from our state warehouse to your delivery site for the full 2021–22 School Year. The credit will be applied to your invoice charges in CNPweb on a monthly basis.
W-code processing and admin fees are not covered by this credit. Please see reference sheets for additional clarification.
Requirements
- Monthly invoices are generated on the last working day of the month.
- The State Credit will be applied to your invoice automatically.
Best Practices
- Review your invoice to see the total amount owed.
- Submit payment as normal for the amount owed.
Questions? Please email the FDP Inbox.
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As vendors and processors continue to have challenges with production capacity and transportation, we are experiencing delays and shortages with various products.
For the most current product updates please see the CNP web homepage.
Estimated September Availability
W287- Breakfast Sandwich
W869- Diced Pears
W870- Mixed Fruit
Estimated October Availability
W109- Beef Rib Patty (TBD)
W132- Beef Teriyaki Dippers (TBD)
W274- Cheddar Cheese Omelet (TBD)
W289- French Toast Sticks (TBD)
WIW400- Beef & Cheese Taco Snack (TBD)
WIW502- Whole Grain Pepperoni Pizza Bagel (TBD)
WIW518- Mozzarella Pinwheel (TBD)
WIW519- Whole Grain Turkey Pepperoni Pinwheel (TBD)
110242 - Blueberries
Estimated November Delivery
W527- 4x6 Cheese Pizza
100256- Strawberry Cups
110911- Turkey Ham
110110- Turkey Deli
Estimated January 2022 Availability:
W281- Whole French toast IW (TBD)
W288- Cheese Tortilla Wrapped Omelet (TBD)
100364- Vegetarian Beans (Delay in Western Washington Orders Only)
100365- Pinto Beans (Delay in Western Washington Orders Only)
100370- Red Kidney Beans (Delay in Western Washington Orders Only)
110361- Applesauce Cups
111100- Cereal Bowls (USDA unable to find a supplier)
USDA Unable to Provide During during SY 21–22
100935- Sunflower Seed Butter (East Only)
110080- Chicken Oven Roasted
110721- Sweet Potato Fries
110854- Peanut Butter Individuals (West Only)
110851- Pollock Fish Sticks
111230- Mixed Vegetables
Please continue to utilize surplus for substitutions.
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