The CACFP renewal deadline was set for 9/1 to allow program specialists enough time to review renewal applications prior to the beginning of fiscal year 21–22 on October 1.
It may take up to 30 days for your renewal application to be approved. Renewals submitted after September 1, 2021, risk not being approved in time for their centers to claim meal reimbursement starting on October 1, 2021.
If you have not submitted your renewal yet use this checklist to complete your renewal.
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Annual Training- Review the Annual Training Reminder for more details
- Ounce Equivalents (Oz. Eq.) 101 Training
- FY22 CACFP Annual Updates Webinar
- Annual Civil Rights Training
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WINS Application- Review the Renewal Reminder for more details
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Study Month- Review the Study Month Reminder for more details (not required for Emergency Shelters and At-Risk Programs)
- Please note, study month numbers cannot be added in WINS until all components of the WINS renewal application have been approved by your program specialist.
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Meal Distribution Plan (MDP)- Review the MDP Reminder to assist you in determining if this is needed.
Review the Specialist’s Insider Tips for Renewal article for additional assistance.
Are….You…Ready??????
Starting October 1, 2021, Ounce Equivalents (Oz. Eq.) is the required measure for grain servings.
Do you have all your grain labels saved? If not, don’t worry – you still have time to get things in order! Start keeping a sample label for each grain item that you serve.
The Team Nutrition Using Ounce Equivalents for Grains in the CACFP worksheet reviews how much an ounce is, how to use the grains measuring chart, and using nutrition labels.
Still have questions? You can always re-watch the Oz. Eq. 101 recorded training or email your CACFP Specialist.
About Ounce Equivalents
Ounce equivalents allow you to credit for the amount of grains that is in any given grain product. Many grain products have additional ingredients like oil, milk, and eggs that can increase the weight of the final products. Because of this, the amount of grains in a product can vary from item to item.
Consider a standard dinner roll and compare it to a waffle—while a dinner roll might be smaller than the waffle, the amount of creditable grain flour in the product might be the same because it is mostly grains, while waffles include other ingredients.
In addition, grain products may vary in sizes. Waffles and other grain items come in many different sizes with some crediting for far larger portions than the minimum.
Resources
Questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist.
Farm to CACFP Week is so close we can almost hear the Apple Crunch!
OSPI celebrates the use of locally grown food in CACFP and can’t wait to see what you’re doing to celebrate Farm to CACFP Week, October 4–8, 2021!
Need Ideas?
During COVID-19 shortages, local procurement can help you minimize disruptions to program operations.
View the Procuring Local Foods During COVID-19 Shortages recorded webinar for more information on finding local farms, procurement and purchasing considerations, and more.
To support school nutrition, child care, and adult care professionals' efforts to connect children and adults with nutritious meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) established nationwide waivers to allow program flexibility for School Year 2021–22 (SY 21–22) and Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22).
Allowances may be requested in circumstances where sponsors are experiencing food or labor shortages or altered facility operations due to COVID-19.
The CACFP Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) & Waiver Request Survey may be submitted for current program operation through September 30, 2022. Use this Checklist prior to beginning the survey. If you exit the survey before it is submitted, your progress will be lost.
The MDP Survey must be submitted to request the following flexibilities:
- Grab-and-Go Meal Service
- Off-site Monitoring
- Meal Pattern Flexibilities
More MDP Information
- Your MDP must be submitted and approved prior to utilizing available waivers granted by the USDA. Approval may be made retroactive in emergency circumstances when prior approval cannot be made.
- FNS expects schools and child care providers to use the flexibilities for only the duration and extent that they are needed.
- Waiver use will be approved on a case-by-case basis and only for a limited duration of time.
- Once you submit the MDP you will receive a confirmation email.
- Your program specialist will contact you regarding approval status of your organization's plan and waiver request(s).
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To request use of additional waivers or extensions for approved waivers, program operators should notify their program specialist and submit an additional MDP for approval.
Reference Sheets, FAQ's, and Other Resources
Questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist.
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