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The 2021–22 Washington Public School Data for Area Eligibility Report is now available.
This report may be used to establish area eligibility for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO). Area eligibility may be assigned if school data indicates that the proposed meal site is located in an attendance area of a public school where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
The Area Eligibility in Child Nutrition Programs Reference Sheet provides more details on area eligibility.
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
The non-competitive Safe School Meals Grant (Form Package 170) has been utilized by over 240 School Food Authorities around the state. This is a reminder that equipment and supplies purchased with this grant must be on-site by May 31, 2022.
If you're concerned about meeting this deadline, contact the CNS Grants team.
Haven't applied for this funding yet?
There is still time to apply for the Safe School Meals Grant and claim the funding specified for your district. Applications will close on March 10. At that point funding will be repurposed for other opportunities.
Apply for the Safe School Meals Grant (Form Package 170) in iGrants. Please review the How to Apply for the Safe School Meals Grant Webinar for more information on the application process.
Funding is flexible and 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 team.
Join USDA's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Civil Rights Division for the Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in School Meals Programs training!
Register for the Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in School Meal Programs Webinar (corrected link)
Date: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 12–1 pm PT
OSPI Child Nutrition staff will be on the call to help answer questions. Please expect any follow up from this training to be released in an upcoming CNS Update.
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-need 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.
Join us for a Webinar!
We originally planned to release the SY22–23 Breakfast After the Bell Plan earlier this week so we could demonstrate the form during the webinar. We are finalizing some pieces of the approval process and had to cancel the 2/24 webinar.
We invite you to register for our March 10 webinar which will serve as the kickoff for BAB 22–23 planning! Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Register for the BAB: Designing Your Implementation Plan webinar
Date: Thursday, March 10
Time: 2–3 pm PT
Resources
Questions? Please email Mikhail Cherniske, CNS Legislative Specialist
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides a fresh fruit or vegetable snack to elementary school students and is an effective and creative way to introduce fresh produce as a healthy snack option. Funds are awarded to the highest free and reduced-price (FRP) percentage elementary schools.
The application participate for school year 2022–23 will open in April 2022! New and returning program operators are welcome to apply. OSPI Child Nutrition Services will release the annual FFVP bulletin soon with more information and it will be announced in the CNS newsletter.
Questions? Please email Rachel Floyd, Special Programs Specialist.
 National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) starts March 7! Are YOU ready to Take Off With School Breakfast?
This year, the #NSBW22 theme is “Take Off With School Breakfast.” And now is the time to get a head start on promoting your program!
How can you participate?
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Promote National School Breakfast Week on your social media
Download SNA's Facebook cover photo (jpg) and add it to your program’s page to increase awareness of #NSBW22! Download SNA's Instagram meme (jpg) and use it to spread the word about #NSBW22!
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Use the NSBW toolkit to plan your event
The NSBW Toolkit has prompts to help you plan your event(s), tips for engaging students, decoration ideas, and more!
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Share the NSBW Activity Sheets during meals
The NSBW Activity Sheets include puzzles, coloring pages, and more!
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View the School Breakfast Meal Talk Webinar
The first Meal Talk webinar will focus on school breakfast, and will provide an overview of USDA’s School Breakfast Program, including the benefits of school breakfast, program requirements, and resources for navigating supply chain challenges.
Register for the School Breakfast Meal Talk Webinar
Date: Wednesday, March 9
Time: 12–1 pm PT
Send Us Your NSBW Celebrations!
We want to see all the activities, celebrations, and fun you have for #NSBW22! Send your photos to the Child Nutrition team— we will highlight districts in upcoming CNS Newsletters!
Visit the School Nutrition Association and USDA webpages for ideas and resources.
Please be aware that the USDA nationwide waivers expire when your school year has ended. Once your school year has ended, please prepare to return to traditional summer program requirements.
Which program should be operated?
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Seamless Summer Option (SSO): School Meal Program sponsors are eligible to operate.
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Summer Food Service program (SFSP): Local Education Agencies, Tribes, non-profit organizations, government entities, and colleges or universities are eligible to operate.
- Meals must be served at sites located in areas where at least 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals via either school or census data.
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SFSP Meal Pattern may be followed.
- Meals are reimbursed at the applicable SFSP rate.
If a district plans to offer meals only to students enrolled in summer school, the NSLP/SBP must be extended. Under NSLP/SBP, a by-name meal count is required and meals must be claimed according to a student’s approved eligibility status.
The Meal Program Comparison Chart provides additional information on the similarities and differences between the summer programs.
Questions? Please contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
The Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA) places an emphasis on continuing education for school nutrition professionals.
Join the Virtual Spring Workshop!
Each year, WSNA hosts their annual Spring Workshop to bring everyone together for updates, connection, and continuing education credits! Register yourself or guest for only $15 per attendee!
Register for WSNA's Spring Workshop (on Zoom)
Date: Saturday, March 26
Time: 8:00 am–12:30 pm PT
Participants can earn up to 3.5 Continuing Education Credits for attending this event.
Mark Your Calendars
WSNA will be hosting their Annual Summer Conference in-person and in Spokane on July 25–27! See you there!
Questions? Please email Mindy Cass, WSNA Executive Director for more details.
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April orders open Wednesday, March 2, and will close Wednesday, March 9 at 4 pm.
Surplus orders open Thursday, March 10 at 1pm for groups 1–3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, March 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
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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 Team.
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What is the USDA Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables Pilot Project?
The USDA Pilot Project for Unprocessed Fruits & Vegetables allows schools to use their entitlement dollars to purchase 'unprocessed' fruits and vegetables from various vendors approved by USDA, including produce items that have been minimally sliced, diced, chopped, washed, frozen or dried. Foods that have been heat-treated for processing such as canning or pickling, or contain additives, are not eligible.
Many locally grown products are also available from farms and local food distributors that are eligible vendors for purchases through the USDA Pilot Project.
For more details please review the WSDA Farm to School Toolkit’s USDA Pilot Project page.
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