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As we continue to hear of the ongoing challenges around food and labor shortages we invite you to join OSPI Child Nutrition Services for a contingency meal planning webinar.
We will discuss menu planning when meal components are in short supply and how to continue meal service when centers are short staffed. Waivers allowed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for School Year 21–22, Fiscal Year 22 will be reviewed. Flexibilities within these waivers are available for use when circumstances interfere with CACFP operation continuing as planned.
Register for the Contingency Meal Planning Webinar
Date: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Time: 2–3 pm PT
Resources
The United Way of King County is hosting an Afterschool Meals Summit with the American Heart Association and several community Sponsors. This summit will provide information about adding afterschool meals to provide 3 meals a day at school.
Join Us for a Webinar
We encourage you to invite afterschool enrichment providers and school leadership at CACFP eligible schools to this webinar:
Register for the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Summit
Date: Tuesday, October 19
Time: 11 am - 12pm PT
School meals are more essential to students than ever before. Adding an additional meal may seem overwhelming in these challenging times, but it can significantly impact student health, wellbeing, and readiness in the classroom. Afterschool programs that serve meals also draw students into constructive activities that are safe, fun, and filled with opportunities for learning.
OSPI will participate in this summit to provide information about CACFP At-Risk Afterschool meals and snacks.
Child Nutrition Programs Administrative Reviews (ARs) are scheduled to resume in fiscal year (FY) 21–22. We understand the challenges CACFP Sponsors face as they continue to operate programs or reopen institutions.
OSPI Child Nutrition Services (CNS) has considered many factors as we prepare to conduct AR’s. To ensure we are providing the best customer service we are requesting additional information prior to our on-site reviews.
Important: The vaccination status of all CNS staff is verified per the state vaccine mandate.
To help us plan for upcoming reviews, please email the following to your program specialist by Tuesday, November 30:
- Organization requirements for on-site visitors
- On-site COVID-19 safety protocols
- Additional preferences related to the public health emergency
Thank you for your patience as the details unfold over the next several months. We will update you as we hear more from OSPI and the USDA.
Questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist.
Can you believe it is already October?? It's time to implement Oz. Equivalents!
Ounce equivalents allow you to credit for the amount of grains 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.
Make sure to do these things:
- Watch the OSPI CNS Oz. Eq. 101 Recorded Training Note: You will need a Moodle Account to view this training.
- Check your labels and compare grains served to the Grains Measuring Chart to ensure they meet requirements.
- Save your grain labels.
- Update your recipes to include the grains serving in ounce equivalents.
- Verify changes in your menus have been made to reflect necessary changes.
- Include Oz. Eq. training at regularly scheduled staff meetings
- This is a great time to remind staff of the requirement and can serve as an introduction to Oz. Eq. for newly hired staff.
- Share Oz. Eq. details with your teachers and other support staff so they are aware of the proper portion size to serve to their children.
- Check in with your Program Specialist if you have any questions about your menu or grain items you are serving.
Resources
Questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist.
The 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). These waivers help support school nutrition, child care, and adult care professionals' efforts to connect children and adults with nutritious meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flexibility may be requested in circumstances where sponsors are experiencing food or labor shortages or altered facility operations due to COVID-19.
Use this checklist and submit your CACFP Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) & Waiver Request for current program operation through September 30, 2022.
Please review the 10/4 Waiver Article for more details on submitting your MDP.
Questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist.
Join the Washington Farm to ECE Community of Practice for a meeting! During this time we will discuss a new grant opportunity to support purchasing local foods through CACFP, Farm to School, and summer meals programs!
The Washington State legislature provided historic funding levels to the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) for various food systems initiatives in the 2021 legislative session. This funding includes $5 million to expand local purchasing for child nutrition programs in Washington State.
Join Us for a Webinar!
The new grants from these funds will reimburse child nutrition programs at school districts, childcare centers, and summer meal programs to purchase Washington-grown food!
Register for the Farm to ECE Community of Practice Meeting
Date: Tuesday, October 26
Time: 3–4 pm PT
The WSDA and OSPI will talk about the upcoming grant and application, and early learning programs will share about their experiences planning and purchasing from local farms and farmers. Participants will have a chance to offer feedback on the grant application process and have their questions answered.
Questions? Please email Kendra Vandree.
USDA's Team Nutrition provides handouts that can help you meet meal pattern requirements! These worksheets include scenario-based questions or activities to reinforce key concepts to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements.
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The Serving Milk in the CACFP Handout can help you train staff on milk requirements including determining what type of milk can be served in the CACFP, creditable milk per age group, and flavored milk facts!
This handout is available in English and Spanish, order your print copies today!
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November 1
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August 60-day Claiming Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim
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November 15
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October Claim Due in WINS!
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