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, 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) released SP 11-2021, CACFP 10-2021, SFSP 06-2021: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs - Revised.
This memo provides guidance to Child Nutrition Program operators regarding Sections 743, 764, 767, and 789 of Division A of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The memo was revised to correct the timeframe intended by Congress for Section 743.The passing of the continued resolution extended these flexibilities through the duration of the resolution, February 18, 2022:
- Allows the substitution of vegetables for fruits under the School Breakfast Program - effective through School Year 21–22.
- Allows the offering of low-fat (1% fat) flavored milk in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program - effective through September 30, 2021. Due to recent Congressional action, this flexibility allowing low-fat, flavored milk in the NSLP and SBP is now effective through February 18, 2022.
- Provides guidance related to pricing of paid lunches for the National School Lunch Program, during school year 2021-2022.
- Prohibits funds from being used to procure raw or processed poultry products from the People’s Republic of China in Child Nutrition Programs - effective through September 30, 2021. This prohibition is also extended through February 18, 2022.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
The Verification Summary Report (VSR) is currently 'on hold' in WINS.
Sponsors will not have access to the VSR module in WINS until it opens. Sponsors will be notified when the VSR opens along with any additional instructions.
Reminders
Both NSLP and SSO sponsors who determine eligibility for meals using meal applications should have completed the annual verification process for SY 21–22 by November 15, 2021.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Meal Distribution Plans (MDPs) approved for school year 21–22 will expire on December 31, 2021.
We continue to hear of the ongoing challenges around school closures, food order cancelations, delays, and shortages.
Steps to Take
To streamline the process for current waiver extensions, sponsors who have approved MDPs on file will receive an e-mail in the coming weeks asking if you would like to extend your approved waiver requests through June 30, 2022 or your last operating day, whichever comes first.
To continue to utilize the available flexibilities and waivers through the end of the program year, sponsors will have to request a waiver extension through email instructions prior to January 31, 2022.
To request additional waivers or to apply for new waivers due to school closures or supply chain disruptions, please update your SY 21–22 Meal Distribution Plan (MDP).
School Closed?
The following Operational Flexibility Waivers allow LEAs to safely provide meals when school is closed due to a COVID outbreak:
In the event that a school is closed, please also notify your School Meals Program Specialist.
Experiencing Continued Shortages?
The Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver allows LEAs to apply for a waiver of:
- Vegetable Subgroups
- Milk
- Serve Only with Age/Grade Group and serving size limitations
- 100% Whole Grain Rich Requirements
- Dietary Specifications for Sodium
Please continue to submit MDPs and document supply chain disruptions. This documentation could include invoices or delivery receipts showing missing items from the planned menu, emails, or letters from your vendors and distributors, as well as 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.
Meal Access Grant (Form Package 383)
Formerly known as the Breakfast Meals for Kids 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?
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 Meal Access Grant Interest Webinar
How to Apply
Applicants may apply for a single school or multiple schools, including central kitchens. Applications are completed in iGrants (form package 383) and are due before 4 pm PT, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Evaluation Document, located on the Profile Page of iGrants, before starting the application.
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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 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
How to Apply
Applicants may apply for a single school or multiple schools, including central kitchens. Applications are completed in iGrants (form package 383) and are due before 4 pm PT, Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Evaluation Document, located on the Profile Page of iGrants, before starting the application.
Questions? Please email the CNS Grants team.
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Feeding Students in Quarantine Webinar
OSPI Child Nutrition Services has developed a new guide to feeding students who are in quarantine due to possible COVID-19 exposure or illness.
We encourage you to continue providing access to meals, as many students rely on school meals for nutritional support. Providing meals to quarantined students is a local level decision. Though there is no USDA requirement to provide or deliver meals during school or classroom closures, we encourage district leaders to consider all options available to support students
Register for the Feeding Students in Quarantine Guide Webinar
Date: Thursday, January 20, 2022
Time: 1:30–2:30 pm PT
Questions? Please email the OSPI Child Nutrition team.
House Bill 1660 (2020) introduced new requirements around fee waivers for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals or students enrolled in the College Bound Scholarship Program.
Associated Student Body (ASB) clubs and other extracurricular activities are considered local education programs. Annual parental consent is required before free or reduced-price eligibility information can be shared. This includes students who are eligible for fee waivers via their enrollment in the College Bound Scholarship Program (as eligibility for College Bound is based on eligibility for free or reduced-price meals).
Check out our updated resource, Implementing HB 1660 – Nutrition Services Reference Sheet for more information and helpful tips.
Questions? Please email Mikhail Cherniske, CNS Legislative Specialist.
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.
All Public school districts, Charter schools and Tribal compact schools operating the NSLP or Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in SY 21–22 will be provided funds to support meal access and distribution. A portion of these funds will be distributed at the end of January 2022.
Payments will be calculated based on the total number of Breakfast and Lunch meals served for either NSLP or SSO, as reported on the October 2021 claim, multiplied $0.50.
Questions? Please email Hydie Kidd, Fiscal Supervisor.
Breakfast After the Bell (BAB) will be returning in SY 22–23 and is required in high-needs schools. High needs schools are defined as any public school where at least 70% of the total students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals; or, if operating the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), the school has a free claiming percentage of 70% or more. RCW 28A.235.200
Eligibility for this program is based on upcoming 2021–22 October Building Data.
Child Nutrition Services will be releasing new resources, guidance, and a planning tool in the new year, stay tuned!
Questions? Please email Mikhail Cherniske, CNS Legislative Specialist.
Winter weather is upon us! We realize that inclement weather or other events may unexpectedly affect your hours of operation, staff availability, and access to buildings.
Are Local Education Agencies required to serve Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) meals during inclement weather?
There are no requirements that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) serve SFSP meals. Please make sure to consider your unique circumstances and consult with school administrators. LEAs should communicate meal service changes to households.
Important Reminder - USDA Foods Deliveries
Notify your carrier as soon as possible if you need to cancel or change your delivery of USDA Foods. Deliveries combine orders from multiple LEAs, loaded in the order they will be delivered. Early notification to your carrier allows for adjustments so other LEAs may still receive their order.
If your LEA experiences unexpected closures and your delivery cannot be accepted, please contact the Empire Distribution System (IEDS) carrier that delivers your USDA Foods:
- Holman Transportation – 253-867-0682
- Fastway Transportation – 509-534-9351
- Peninsula Transportation – 800-942-9909
- Oak Harbor Transportation – 253-288-8370
Loading docks and delivery areas must be clear of snow and ice to allow for safe deliveries. Please work with your facilities department to ensure your delivery area is ready.
Thank you for assisting the carriers that serve you!
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Are you in need of additional entitlement for the remainder of the School Year? If so, now is your chance!
Complete Your SY21–22 Additional Entitlement Request. The request form closes at 4pm PT on Friday, December 24, 2021.
Important Information Regarding Additional Entitlement
- Allotted amounts could range from zero (0) to the total amount requested based on your usage and state availability.
- Must be used during the January, February, March, and April order periods.
- May be used with DOD but you must also complete a 2021-22 DoD Allocation Adjustment Form
- This form must be completed by the Program or Ordering contact listed in CNPweb.
The FDP team will review requests during the week of December 27, 2021.
Questions? Please email the Food Distribution team.
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