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Participation in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) school meal programs requires program operators to meet certain annual requirements. These include:
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Annual Civil Rights Training- You must train all organization staff who help administer the nutrition program. Training must include your organization’s requirements and procedures as well as meet the training requirements outlined in this presentation.
Completed forms are not required to be submitted, however, you must keep them on file for Administrative Reviews.
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
OSPI released a bulletin, 008-22 Child Nutrition Services, outlining the expectations for SY 22-23 and information about the Breakfast After the Bell 22-23 Plan that will be released in February and required to be completed by districts with at least on BAB school.
Child Nutrition Services will be releasing the list of required schools, along with new resources, guidance, and the planning tool in the coming weeks!
Questions? Please email Mikhail Cherniske, CNS Legislative Specialist
We continue to hear of the ongoing challenges around school closures, food order cancelations, delays, and shortages. To request additional waivers due to school closures or supply chain disruptions, please update the SY 21–22 Meal Distribution Plan (MDP).
School Closed?
The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) can continue to be operated during unanticipated school closures. Additionally, the following Operational Flexibility Waivers allow LEAs to safely provide meals when schools are 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.
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.
OSPI Child Nutrition Services is currently seeking sponsors for the 2022 USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The SFSP helps ensure children and teens living in low-income areas continue to receive nutritious meals during the summer, or during emergency school closures, when they do not have access to school meals.
The nationwide waivers that currently allow operational flexibility and a higher reimbursement rate for Seamless Summer Option (SSO) sponsors expire on June 30, 2022. SFSP sponsors will continue to receive the higher reimbursement, as well as have a simplified meal pattern.
Information about the program is outlined in a recent OSPI Medium Article, we highly encourage those who are interested to review the article and email our Summer Meals Team with any questions.
Who Can Sponsor the SFSP?
Public and private nonprofit schools, residential and non-residential summer camps, private nonprofit organizations, tribal organizations, and units of local, county, municipal, and state government, as well as colleges and universities participating in the Upward Bound Program who are willing to operate a non-profit meal program in areas where at least 50% of the children are qualified for free or reduced-price school meals are eligible to sponsor the program.
Resources
Thanks for all you do to serve children in our state!
Questions? Please email our Summer Meals Team.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, major life activities such as seeing, hearing, eating, thinking, communicating, and working are protected from discrimination. This act emphasizes that the definition of disability should be broad to protect individuals to the maximum extent permitted by the ADAAA.
Communications with persons with disabilities, including language access, must be equally effective as communication with people without disabilities.
Does Your Organization Have a Language Access Plan?
Language assistance must be provided for those who could potentially, or currently participate in your program. Having a Language Access Plan helps you review your organizational practices to ensure meaningful access for those who are Limited English Proficient.
Tools to Develop Your Language Access Plan
Use OSPI CNS' Limited English Proficiency Reference Sheet along with the following resources to get started.
Questions? Please contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) reimbursement rates for 2022.
Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rates are effective for the time period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.
Seamless Summer Option Rates
Under Child Nutrition Response #86, meals and snacks served under the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) will be reimbursed at the SFSP high rate rather than the NSLP or SBP reimbursement rate. The waiver is effective July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022.
The rates below are effective through January 1, 2022–June 30, 2022.
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Meal
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Rate
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SSO Breakfast
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$2.6050
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SSO Lunch/ Supper
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$4.5625
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SSO Snack
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$1.0775
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Seamless Summer Option reimbursement rates have been updated in WINS and will be reflected for the January claim.
For more information, review the rates on the CNS Claims and Fiscal webpage.
Questions? Please contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
The Washington Department of Health (DOH) recently released updated guidance on DOH K-12 Guidance After January 7, 2022 Changes and Supplemental Considerations to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission in K-12 Schools.
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.
Resources
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant (Form Package 472) closes February 10!
Public school districts, private schools, tribal schools, charter schools and residential childcare institutions are eligible to apply National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grant.
This funding can be used to:
- 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 472) and are due before 4 pm PT, Thursday, February 10, 2022.
Questions? Please email the CNS Grants team.
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Way to go Washougal!
Washougal School District was recently featured by Food Management for their work with scratch cooking and fresh food. The district’s menu has transitioned to “about 85 percent freshly prepared, with a focus on restaurant-style menus” and features local products when possible. Popular menu items include homemade pizza, chicken cheese toasties, and meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. Since launching their new menu, the district has seen an increase in participation by both students and staff.
Read the article here.
Complete Your Interest Survey!
The School Year (SY) 2022–23 USDA Foods Interest Survey allows you to express interest in which USDA direct products to add to our Washington State product list.
Complete the SY 2022-23 USDA Foods Interest Survey by today, January 24. Responses received after this date may not be considered.
Items with the highest interest will be included in the 2022–23 Pre-Order survey. Please note: the Interest Survey does not include all available items for school year 2022–23.
Interest Survey vs Pre-Order Survey
Interest Survey: Lets OSPI Child Nutrition Services know which USDA Direct products you are interested in and if we should add items to our product list. If enough interest is expressed and we can order in the proper quantities, products will become available on the Pre-Order Survey.
Pre-Order Survey: After you let us know the items you are interested in, you must commit to ordering. The Pre-Order Survey is your commitment to how much and which items you plan on ordering in the upcoming school year.
Questions about the survey? Please email the Food Distribution Inbox
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