It’s that time of the year where many of us will take a break from busy work schedules to spend the holidays with family and friends.
OSPI Child Nutrition Services will not be releasing a weekly newsletter on the following dates:
- Monday, November 29, 2021
- Monday, December 27, 2021
- Monday, January 3, 2022
Staff will be available to answer questions and provide technical assistance.
Thank you for all you do to provide nutritious meals to children in our state. We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 02-2022, CACFP 03-2022; SFSP 01-2022: Updates to the Federal Micro-Purchase Threshold in 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1).
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Child Nutrition Services has been implementing these changes since the Uniform Grant Guidance was updated on November 12, 2020.
Overview
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Micro-Purchase Distribution: Previously, federal regulations required LEAs to distribute micro-purchases equitably among qualified suppliers to the extent practicable. This language has changed to state to the maximum extent practicable, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) should distribute micro-purchases equitably among qualified suppliers.
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Micro-Purchase Awarded Without Competition: Federal regulations previously stated that micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotes if the LEA considers the price to be reasonable. This language has been updated to state that micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price or rate quotations, if the LEA “considers the price to be reasonable based on research, experience, purchase history or other information and documents its files accordingly.”
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Low Risk Certification: As of November 2020, the Uniform Grant Guidance allows non-federal entities, such as LEAs, to self-certify they are low risk and use a micro-purchase threshold of $50,000.
- To use the higher threshold, LEAs must either:
- Qualify as a low-risk auditee for your most recent audit, or
- Perform an annual internal risk assessment to identify, mitigate, and manage financial risks that results in a low-risk assessment.
- Washington state laws are the most restrictive procurement thresholds and must be followed.
- LEAs that qualify to self-certify could go up to $50,000 for services and books. However LEAs must follow the Washington state threshold of $40,000 for other purchases such as furniture, equipment, or supplies since these are the most restrictive rules in Washington State. (RCW 28A.335.190(2))
- If an LEA wants to go above the $50,000 limit, the LEA must receive approval from the cognizant agency for indirect costs (the federal agency responsible for negotiating and approving indirect cost rates). If you have questions about your cognizant agency, check with your Business Manager.
- Review the OSPI CNS Purchasing and Procurement: Micro Purchasing recording for more details on low risk certification.
Please review the Policy Memo in full for more details.
Questions? Please email the CNS Procurement inbox.
All Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are eligible for the Safe School Meals Grant!
The Washington State Legislature provided funds to support safe school meals in School Year (SY) 21–22. Funds are awarded based on enrollment and meal participation.
All public, charter, and tribal compact schools sponsoring a school meal program during SY 21–22 are eligible for this non-competitive grant! We have simplified the application process so all applications are easy to complete (and funded)!
Application and Grant Funding Resources
Simplified Application Process
We are aware that there may be supply chain issues with receiving equipment. Consider submitting your application in iGrants as soon as possible to assist CNS in approving your application so purchases can be finalized before the new May 31, 2022, deadline.
Safe School Meals Grant (Form Package 170) due by 4pm on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
Funds may be used to:
- Purchase equipment and supplies to increase the safety of school meals in SY 21–22. This includes, but is not limited to supplies or equipment to:
- Increase social distancing of students eating meals.
- Reduce touch points in the meal programs.
- Increase food safety.
- Increase safety in meal service.
- Provide training to increase the safety of school meals in SY 21–22.
- Provide outreach to students, families, and school staff, including translation services.
Questions? Please email the CNS Grants inbox.
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The Accounting Manual for Public Schools requires all school districts receiving federal funds to report in a specific manner. This includes USDA federal grant expenditures on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
State auditors use this information to determine which federal programs to audit. The SEFA is included in the audit report and must be complete and accurate. The district is not required to include the Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN) on the SEFA for USDA grants passed through OSPI Child Nutrition Services to public schools but we are required to provide the FAINs to public schools (2 CFR 200.332(a)).
For school fiscal year ending 8/31/2021 report the following Federal Award Identification Numbers (FAINs):
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USDA Program
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CFDA
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FAIN
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National School Lunch Program (NSLP)*
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10.555
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217WAWA3N1099 and 217WAWA3N1199
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School Breakfast Program (SBP)*
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10.553
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217WAWA3N1099 and 217WAWA3N1199
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Summer Seamless Option (SSO)*
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10.553, 10.555
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217WAWA3N1099 and 217WAWA3N1199
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Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)*
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10.559
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217WAWA3N1099 and 217WAWA3N1199
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Special Milk Program (SMP)*
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10.556
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217WAWA3N1099 and 217WAWA3N1199
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*The source of Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Consolidated Block grants is not COVID-19 emergency funds.
For public schools which incurred expenditures under the following USDA programs, reference the following FAINs:
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USDA Program
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CFDA
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FAIN
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COVID-19 Emergency Operational Funds - School Meals
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10.555
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217WAWA1H1703
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COVID-19 Emergency Operational Funds - CACFP Meals
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10.558
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217WAWA1H1706
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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)*
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10.558
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217WAWA3N1099 and 217WAWA3N1199
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CACFP Cash In Lieu
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10.558
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217WAWA3N2020
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School Meals Equipment Grant
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10.579
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217WAWA7N8103
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Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program
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10.582
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217WAWA1L1603
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SNAP State and Local PEBT
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10.649
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217WAWA8S9009
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*The source of Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Consolidated Block grants is not COVID-19 emergency funds.
Review the CNS Accounting Reporting Codes Reference Sheet for more details.
Questions? Please email Jeff Booth, Audit and Financial Manager.
The Washington State Department of Ecology will implement two sections of a new law addressing single-use food-service items.
Impact to Local Education Agencies
- Starting January 2022 all food-service providers, including school cafeterias, will no longer be allowed to automatically provide single-use food service items (straws, forks, sporks, spoons, cold drink lids, condiment packets, etc.) to students.
- Starting June 2024 schools will not be allowed to purchase expanded polystyrene food service products to use in their cafeterias or elsewhere, which includes “Styrofoam” lunch trays, cups, bowls, plates, and to-go containers.
Grant Programs
The intent of these laws is to encourage students and school cafeterias to develop sustainable habits around reusing durable utensils. Implementation of washing stations or educational programs about the importance of reuse is encouraged. Schools interested in pursuing funding opportunities to assist in transitioning to durable and reusable products are encouraged to apply for the following competitive grants/ award programs offered by Ecology:
Resources
Questions about single-use serviceware? Please email Shannon Jones, Western Washington Materials Management Coordinator, Department of Ecology.
Questions about the expanded polystyrene ban? Please email Heather Church, Eastern Washington Waste Reduction and Recycling Specialist, Department of Ecology.
Take the guesswork out of revising your district’s Local School Wellness Policy.
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s new digital wellness policy builder tool is based on years of supporting school districts in developing strong, comprehensive policies that meet the USDA final rule required language, with added flexibility to:
- Upgrade to Healthier Generation's recommended best practices
- Customize to add your own state or local policy requirements
- Share and collaborate with your district team members
Check out how this new tool works and take a short virtual tour of the Wellness Policy Builder.
Questions? Please email Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
Produce Safety University (PSU) is a training course designed to help school foodservice staff identify and manage food safety risks associated with fresh produce.
Interested in this Training?
Ideal participants should have produce procurement responsibilities and/or an active role in training child nutrition staff at the district and local levels. This immersive program will offer five virtual sessions in March, April, and May 2022.
To be considered for selection, you must submit an electronic nomination form by December 1, 2021.
Nominees selected for the March sessions will be notified in January 2022. Nominees selected for the April and May sessions will be notified in February 2022.
Questions? Please email the PSU inbox.
The Farm to School Purchasing Grant is available to schools, child care centers, and summer meal program operators for the purchase and use of Washington-grown foods in child nutrition programs. Multiple program tracks will be funded according to program type and size to ensure grant funds are accessible to school districts of all sizes, CACFP child care and Tribal early learning centers, and summer meal programs.
Now Open in iGrants!
The grant is now open in iGrants and will close December 20, 2021! Application resources are available on the Farm to School Purchasing Grants website. Follow these steps to start preparing your application now:
- Create an account in iGrants, if you do not already have one. You can use the Grant Application Guide for more details. Note: it can take up to 48 hours to set up a new account.
- Prepare to apply using the Application Guide. The Application Guide includes the information and questions that will be asked in the application. You can use this to start preparing your responses!
Resources
Questions? Please email the WSDA Farm to School inbox or Kendra Vandree, OSPI Farm to Program Specialist.
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The Washington State legislature appropriated over 11 million in funds to support Child Nutrition Programs in WA during 2021–22. These funds support a variety of programs and grants.
Public school districts, charter schools and tribal compact schools operating the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in SY 21–22 will be provided funds to support meal access and distribution. OSPI CNS will distribute funds to these districts in January and June 2022. January's payment will be based on the number of SSO breakfast and lunches reported on the October 2021 claim for reimbursement.
Public school districts, charter schools and tribal compact schools operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) will continue to be provided reduced price co-pay and breakfast assistance funding.
Questions? Please email Hydie Kidd, Fiscal Supervisor.
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant (Form Package 472)
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced funding to states for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant.
If you are a public school district, private school, tribal school, charter school or residential childcare institution, you are eligible to apply. You are eligible even if you are operating the the Seamless Summer Option in the 21–22 school year.
For fiscal year 2021, Washington State received $434,374. Focus areas for this year’s grant is:
- Replace aging equipment or update equipment
- Adopt lunchroom changes that provide more convenience and appeal to students
- Make meaningful impacts on student nutrition and quality of meals.
Interested in Applying?
View the recorded webinar for an overview of the application, important changes from previous year's applications, tips for your application, and grant timelines.
View the NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Interest Webinar Recording
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Meal Access Grant (Form Package 383)
Formerly known as the Meals for Kids Breakfast Grant, this grant is available to public school districts, tribal compact schools and charter schools.
Focus Areas for This Grant
This grant focuses on starting a new meal program, increasing participation in an existing program, improving program meal quality, and improving the equipment and facilities used in an existing program.
Interested in Applying?
Join us for a webinar! We will provide overview of the application, important changes from previous year's applications, tips for your application, and grant timelines.
Register for the Meal Access Grant Interest Webinar
Date: Tuesday, November 23
Time: 1–2 pm PT
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Applications will open in iGrants system in the coming weeks.
Questions? Please email the CNS Grants inbox.
We continue to hear of the ongoing challenges around school closures, food order cancelations, delays, and shortages.
Experiencing School Closures or Shortages?
To request additional waivers due to school closures or supply chain disruptions, please update the SY 21–22 Meal Distribution Plan (MDP). The MDP may look differently than previous links as we have updated to streamline the process.
Please continue to submit MDPs and document supply chain disruptions. This documentation could look like invoices or delivery receipts showing missing items from the planned menu, emails or letters from your vendors and distributors, and updated production records showing components served.
If flexibilities outside of the MDP are needed, please email your program specialist with a description of the disruption and how the Meal Pattern requirements will be met to the maximum extent practicable.
Questions? Please contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
USDA’s Team Nutrition is proud to release School Lunch and Breakfast web quizzes!
These 10-question nutrition quizzes can be used at trainings as a fun learning activity. Upon completion quiz takers receive a score along with a link to resources that can help expand their knowledge on the topic and build their nutrition skills. Quiz takers can also view a printable version of the questions and answers upon quiz completion.
View the quizzes on the Team Nutrition webpage.
Additional quizzes are coming this fall and winter!
Questions? Please email Team Nutrition.
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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