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We recognize that many Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are beginning to plan for next school year. There continue to be many unknowns for SY 22–23, including program operations and waiver flexibilities. We are currently seeking guidance from the USDA and will update sponsors as soon as additional information becomes available.
Thank you for all your work to provide meals to the students of Washington state!
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.
Appeal procedures give USDA Child Nutrition Programs sponsors an avenue to appeal when the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Child Nutrition Services takes adverse administrative action as required by federal regulations.
These procedures are specific in what actions are appealable and what programs they apply to. Appeal procedures are included in Final Letters summarizing review findings; however, you may review the procedure at any time on our webpages.
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
Does your district offer summer school or other activities during the summer? If so, it’s time to start thinking about summer meals!
Who must provide summer meals?
Schools in the district offering summer programs of academic, enrichment, or remedial services and have 50% or more of the children enrolled in the school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. (RCW 28A.235.160)
Exemptions are provided by OSPI on a case-by-case basis and must be approved in advance.
Please take this short survey and let us know about your plans for summer 2022.
Who else can provide summer meals?
Any school district can serve summer meals to kids at any school or site where 50% or more of the children living in the area qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This can be determined using school data or census data.
What options does our district have when offering summer meals?
There are many resources to help you decide which option is best for your school or district:
Questions? Please contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
Breakfast After the Bell (BAB) requirements related to House Bill 1508: The Washington Kids Ready to Learn Act will be returning in SY 22–23 and is required in high-need 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.
OSPI released 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).
Please notify your program specialist of school closures and continue to submit MDPs as well as 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.
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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Register now to attend free, live, interactive training sessions for child nutrition professionals offered by the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). These virtual training sessions feature individual lessons led by ICN's expert trainers on important topics for child nutrition professionals.
Trainings will be held in February and March. Some trainings include:
- Food Safety in Schools Course (3-Day Session)
- Food Safety in Schools Lessons
- Food Safety Fundamentals (1.5 hours)
- Cleaning and Sanitizing (1.5 hours)
- Facts About Foodborne Illness (1.5 hours)
- And more!
- Financial Management for Managers (2-Day Session)
- Basic Culinary Math (4 hours)
For a list of trainings as well as training dates and times, please visit ICN’s VILT Registration page.
Registration is limited to 25 participants per session, and training sessions will fill up quickly.
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March orders open Wednesday, February 2, and will close Wednesday, February 9 at 4 pm.
Surplus orders open Thursday, February 10 at 1pm for groups 1–3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, February 11, at 4 pm.
For more information on your group number, please review the SY 21–22 Order and Delivery Schedule.
Ordering
- To place an order - log-in to CNP Web.
- Your Food Distribution Application must be completed (including certified and submitted) before you can place an order.
- Ordering Instructions
- Reminder:
The Ordering and Receiving webpage has multiple resources to assist you in placing your ordering including; instructions, order and distribution schedule.
Important Reminders
The month of January has already been a challenge for our carriers due to weather and unexpected school closings. Because of this, please expect delivery days to vary from previous months.
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. Please review our 12/20 FDP Corner article for details on what to do for unexpected changes in your services.
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Confirmation of USDA Foods If you’re scheduled to receive a USDA Foods Delivery, you should receive an appointment confirmation from the carrier. Please remember to reply to the carrier confirming receipt of appointment.
- Deliveries
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To update or change your delivery contact person, please complete the Delivery Updates Form.
- Standard USDA food deliveries are wrapped and stacked on pallets no higher than approximately five feet and left at your loading dock for you to remove.
- Carriers will drop pallets at dock or just inside the threshold of your facility if the entrance can accommodate. Any request for removal of product from the pallet or asking the driver to enter the facility will require additional cost and must be arranged in advance.
- If there are delivery discrepancies or damages, you may return those cases with the driver.
Questions? Please email the Food Distribution Inbox.
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What is the Pre-Order Survey?
The Pre-Order Survey is your commitment and a preliminary order for the upcoming 2022–23 school year. The survey informs OSPI Food Distribution volume and types of foods we need to order for the entire 2022–23 School Year.
Who must complete the survey?
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) who plan to participate in the USDA Food Distribution program for SY 2022–23.
Timeline
- Complete your initial Pre-Order Survey by Friday, February 18.
- On February 22, OSPI CNS will tally the total quantity of products requested for the state and remove any items that do not meet the minimum truck load requirement.
- You will have until Friday, February 25, to review and revise your order for items that did not meet state truck load minimums and reallocate your entitlement dollars to other products. If you do not reallocate the entitlement dollars for these items, your entitlement will be returned to your account.
New for the 2022-23 School Year!
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20 Case Minimum Requirement
Your frozen order must have a minimum of 20 cases and each dry order must have a minimum of 20 cases for delivery.
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No August Delivery
The first delivery period is September 2022 and the final will be May 2023.
Resources
Questions? Email Sarah Davis or call 360-725-6215.
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January 31
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November 60-day Claiming Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim
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February 2–9
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March USDA Foods Order Period Closes in CNP Web
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| February 10 |
NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant (form package 472) Application due in iGrants |
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February 10–11
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February USDA Foods Surplus Order Period Open in CNP Web
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February 15
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December Claims Due in WINS
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March 1
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December 60-day Claiming Deadline - if you haven't already, submit your claim
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