OSPI CNS is finalizing the CEP Eligibility Report for SY 2022-23!
Child Nutrition Services (CNS) is required to annually notify local education agencies (LEAs) of their district-wide eligibility to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). We are currently finalizing the CEP Eligibility Report and tools to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) apply for CEP. We anticipate this information will be released in the upcoming week.
About the CEP Eligibility Report
The CEP Eligibility Report identifies LEAs and individual schools in the following categories:
- Eligible to Participate - Identified Student Percentage (ISP) of at least 40%.
- Near Eligible to Participate – ISP greater than 30 percent but less than 40% (may be eligible to participate).
- LEAs currently participating in CEP in some capacity.
The District-Wide ISP and school level data is calculated using information from the Comprehensive Education Data and Research System (CEDARS) as of April 1, 2022.
The reported ISP is an estimate. To receive approval, LEAs must calculate their actual ISP and submit source documentation representative of April 1, 2022. ISP’s must be validated by CNS prior to approval to operate CEP.
CEP Expansion Signed into Law
HB 1878 Requirements
Governor Inslee signed House Bill 1878 into law on March 4, 2022. The new law requires participation in the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for all schools with an ISP of 40%. This expands the work of HB 2660 (2020) which required CEP in non-high schools above 62.5% ISP. For more details about Identified Student Percentage, please review the CEP Reference Sheet.
State Funding will Supplement Federal Funds in Lower ISP Schools
The law also ensures that CEP schools will get the highest possible per-meal reimbursement. When a school’s Free Claiming Percentage (the ISP multiplied by 1.6 (federal multiplier)) is less than 100%, state funding will supplement federal reimbursement so that all meals served are reimbursed at the free rate
Please notify your program specialist if you intend to apply for CEP for the upcoming school year. CEP applications are due June 30, 2022.
Resources
CEP Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Application for School Year 2022–23 is open in WINS!
The 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 deadline for participation for school year 2022–23 is April 30, 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
For more information, please review B018-22: Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Application Packet School Year 2022–23.
Questions? Please email Rachel Floyd or call 360-742-4155
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Join us for a webinar!
Join OSPI Child Nutrition Services as we discuss upcoming school year operations, USDA's transitional rule, and more!
Register for the School Meal Program Operations in SY 2022–23 Webinar
Date: Thursday, May 19
Time: 1–2 pm PT
About USDA's Transitional Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains and Sodium - Final Rule for the School Meal Programs and Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
This final rule establishes transitional standards to support the continued provision of nutritious school meals as schools respond to and recover from the pandemic and while USDA engages in notice-and-comment rulemaking to update the meal pattern standards to more comprehensively reflect the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. The standards are effective July 1, 2022, and include:
- Low-fat (1%) flavored milk may be served in the School Meal Programs and to children ages 6 and older in CACFP.
- In the School Meal Programs, unflavored nonfat or low-fat milk must be offered as the second milk type if low-fat flavored milk is served.
- At least 80% of grains served in the School Meal Programs must be Whole-Grain Rich and the remaining servings of grains must be enriched.
- Reduces the dietary specifications for sodium for school lunch by 10% to Target 1a for SY 2023–24.
- Sodium Target 1 will be maintained for school lunch in SY 2022–23 and for school breakfast in SY 2022–23 and SY 2023–24.
Learn More
Questions? Please contact your School Meals Program Specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 08-2022, CACFP 07-2022, SFSP 03-2022: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs.
This memo provides guidance to Child Nutrition Program operators regarding Sections 740, 751, and 752 of Division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which:
- Allows the substitution of vegetables, including starchy vegetables, for fruits without including vegetables from other subgroups in weekly menus under the School Breakfast Program (SBP) in SY 2021-22 and SY 2022-23
- Prohibits funds from being used to procure raw or processed poultry products from the People’s Republic of China in Child Nutrition Programs through September 30, 2022
- Provides guidance related to pricing of paid lunches for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), during school year SY 2022-23
The Appropriations Act of 2022 did not extend the flexibility to offer (1%) low-fat, flavored milk in the NSLP and SBP. To continue serving low-fat, flavored milk for the remainder of SY 2021-22, the Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver must be requested. Please update the SY 21-22 Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) with additional waiver requests.
Beginning July 1, 2022, low-fat, flavored milk may be offered under the transitional meal pattern standards in NSLP and SBP, as well as the Child & Adult Care Food Program and the Special Milk Program to children over age 6.
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
School Lunch Hero Day provides you with the perfect opportunity to recognize the hardworking professionals in your school cafeterias.
Between preparing healthy meals for America’s students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals are true heroes.
Celebrate #SLHD22 on Friday, May 6!
This year marks a special 10-year anniversary for SLHD, as well as the 10th year SNA has partnered with artist Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” book series that started it all.
Want to learn more about the inspiration behind School Lunch Hero Day? Watch the video!
You’ll find lots of #SLHD22 recognition ideas on SNA's website, including thank you cards. Plan to spread the word and get the rest of your school, district and community with the help of our customizable press release and proclamation.
Share Your Celebrations with Us!
We know school nutrition professionals make a difference for every child who comes through the cafeteria. Tag your social media posts with #SLHD22 and #OSPIChildNutrition or email the Child Nutrition Team with your celebrations!
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Join the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) as they share ways to collaborate and best practices to implement in your community.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP): Overcoming the Loss of School Meal Application Data
Community eligibility eliminates the need to collect school meal applications, which have long been used for a wide range of education and funding purposes. Join this webinar to learn how schools across the country have been able to successfully overcome the loss of this data in order to offer free meals to all of their students.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP): Overcoming the Loss of School Meal Application Data
Date: Thursday, April 21
Time: 12–1 pm PT
Summer Meals: Mitigating the Impact of the Loss of the Summer Nutrition Waivers
During this webinar, presenters will share how to mitigate the impacts of the loss of the summer nutrition waivers and how to increase participation in summer meals this year. Hear from a school district, a state agency, and an advocate on their plans for the upcoming summer.
Summer Meals: Mitigating the Impact of the Loss of the Summer Nutrition Waivers
Date: Thursday, April 28
Time: 12–1 pm PT
The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs.
Register for a Webinar
This S.T.A.R. webinar will highlight food safety considerations to keep in mind during emergencies, including key tips and practices that aid in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery in school nutrition and foodservice operations. Using the information provided, operators and their school communities can come together and be ready for food safety emergencies they may face.
Register for the Get Ready to Respond: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery webinar
Date: Thursday, April 28
Time: 12–1 pm PT
Additional Details
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- Registrants are eligible to receive a continuing education certificate for attending this webinar. Professional Standards Code: 2620 – Practice general food safety procedures.
- Webinar recordings can be found on ICN’s online course platform, iLearn, one week after the live webinar.
ScratchWorks will be hosting a scratch cooking conference on April 24–26, 2023 in Austin, Texas. They invite districts to attend that are eager to improve their scratch cooking methods and/or share their successes and challenges with like-minded leaders.
Here is the link to the application, and their website. Applications are due on May 1, 2022.
ScratchWorks has funding to support 100 food service directors (or designees), covering conference and travel fees.
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