Applications for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP) are due by August 30 for Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) and September 30 for Local Education Agencies (LEA).
Renewal Bulletins
- Public and Private Schools
- Residential Child Care Institutions
Resources
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS School Meals Program Specialist.
P-EBT Summer and Children Under 6 Plans Approved!
Thanks to federal COVID-19 relief funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, many families in Washington state will start to receive Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits beginning late-July and through the end of the summer. These benefits will help buy groceries while children are home during the summer months.
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits are available to families with young children who are eligible for Basic Food benefits as well as school-aged children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meal programs. The Public Charge rule does not apply to P-EBT benefits and will not impact immigration status.
Encourage Families to Sign Up for Up-To-Date Information
We encourage you to share out that families can sign up for text message alerts about the status of their child’s P-EBT by going to textpebt.dshs.wa.gov. All they have to do is fill out a simple verification form to enroll.
Families Can Still Access Summer Meals
P-EBT benefits do not replace any food assistance program already offered, including free summer meals or meals provided in child care centers. Families are encouraged to continue participating in a summer meal program at their local schools and community locations, even if they receive P-EBT benefits.
P-EBT benefits can be used to shop at any grocery store, farmers market, or food retailer certified to accept SNAP/EBT.
P-EBT Plan Information
The Children Under 6 and Summer 2022 P-EBT programs will be available as follows:
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P-EBT Children Under 6 program: Qualifying children under age 6 who live in a household that receives Basic Food benefits (the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Washington state’s Food Assistance Program) may receive $43 for each month they received Basic Food assistance from September 2021 – June 2022.
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Summer 2022 P-EBT program: Qualifying children under age 6 as well as school-aged children will receive a one-time lump sum of $391 per child to cover the summer period through July and August 2022. School-aged children enrolled in Washington state schools that operate the NSLP who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals are eligible for Summer 2022 P-EBT benefits. Children under 6 will receive benefits under this plan as long as they receive Basic Food assistance during July and August.
- These benefits are separate from a P-EBT 2021-2022 School Year program, which has not been approved by USDA at this time.
To ensure children who may be newly eligible receive P-EBT benefits, schools should encourage families to complete the free and reduced-price meal program application by August 31, 2022. Families should contact their district for meal application information.
P-EBT Contact Center
For full details and additional questions about P-EBT benefits, families can visit dshs.wa.gov/PEBT or call the P-EBT Contact Center at 833-518-0282 between 8 am and 5 pm PT, Monday-Friday (except observed holidays).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released several policy memos. The Keep Kids Fed Act extended key waivers to support meal access for summer 2022. All SFSP operations should continue to support the return to "normal" operations and support meal access to children in need. The intent of these waivers is to provide additional support for this transition.
Requests to use these waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and only for the extent and duration necessary. A Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) must be completed for all waiver requests. If you would like to request any of these waivers, please email the summer meals team for a link to the current MDP.
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COVID–19: Child Nutrition Response #114- Nationwide Waiver of the Summer Sponsor Application Deadline and to Allow Reimbursement for Meals Served Prior to Notification of Approval for Summer 2022 Operations. This memo:
- Waives the requirement for SFSP sponsors to submit written applications for program participation by June 15.
- Written applications are still required for state agency approval of SFSP participation.
- All application requirements, including training requirements, must be met.
- Waives the regulations that reimbursements shall not be paid for meals served at a site before the sponsor has received written notification of approval from the state agency.
- Sponsors may only claim reimbursement for meals served retroactive to the date a complete and correct application was received at the state agency, including meals served prior to written approval to operate SFSP.
- This waiver is in effect through September 30, 2022.
Recently, USDA released additional policy memos, including:
A list of these waivers and a summary can be found on the COVID-19 Nutrition & Meals Guidance webpage.
Questions? Please email your program specialist or the Summer Meals Inbox.
Webpages and Documents Must Be Updated With The New Nondiscrimination Statement by August 3, 2022!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released updated Civil Rights Division (CRD) policy memos.
Important Updates
These memos clarify prohibitions against discrimination based on sex in all USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs and related implementing regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
What this means: Child Nutrition Program operators and sponsors must not discriminate or deny access to programs based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Next Steps
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Effective Immediately: If not currently part of your organizational practices, update program discrimination complaint processing procedures to include complaints alleging sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination.
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Effective Immediately: Process any complaints alleging sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination as complaints of prohibited sex discrimination. There will not be a grace period for accepting and processing discrimination complaints based on sexual orientation and gender identity in FNS programs.
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Before August 3, 2022: Update webpages and documents with the updated USDA Child Nutrition Programs Nondiscrimination Statement.
- The nondiscrimination statement is required on all documents referring to program access, program approval, and widely distributed documents. Examples include: items distributed to the public, landing page of web pages, student handbooks, brochures, letters to families, or press releases.
- Child Nutrition Program operators and sponsors are required to take reasonable steps to ensure program access and benefits to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
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NEW! The USDA is currently working to translate the updated nondiscrimination statement into over 50 languages! Please do not translate the nondiscrimination statement at this time.
- OSPI CNS will update documents previously translated with the updated nondiscrimination statement. Please keep an eye out for future CNS Updates.
Additional Details
- OSPI CNS is ordering updated And Justice for All Posters and will be distributing them over the coming months. Until you receive the updated posters, please continue using the 2019 And Justice for All poster.
- We understand many program operators and sponsors are preparing materials for the upcoming program year.
- If your organization has already printed materials that include the previous nondiscrimination statement, you are not required to re-print documents.
- If your organization has not printed materials, please use the updated versions as they become available on the OSPI CNS webpages.
- OSPI CNS will be updating reference sheets, materials, and webpages in the coming weeks.
Questions? Please email the Child Nutrition inbox so we may assist.
OSPI has awarded funds to program sites to operate the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program in SY 22–23. A total of 225 schools have been offered grant funds to increase access to fresh produce as well as provide nutrition education. Review the list of SY 22–23 FFVP Awardees!
Annual Training Requirement
Training is required to participate in this program.
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New FFVP Sponsors Sponsors that did not operate FFVP during SY 21–22 must attend in-person training. This training will be conducted as part of the SY 22–23 School Meal Programs Annual Training. Registration information is located on the School Meal Programs Training webpage, under the School Meal Program Annual Training dropdown.
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Returning FFVP Sponsors Sponsors who operated FFVP in SY 21–22 have the option of attending in-person or virtual training.
Questions? Please email Rachel Floyd, Special Programs Specialist.
School Meal Programs Annual Training will be held 8/8 & 8/9 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA.
Who Should Attend?
This training is meant to enhance your knowledge about the School Meal Programs and allow time for you to connect to other School Food Service Directors around the state.
Important Details
- Training is free to attend; however, participants must pay for meals, parking, and any overnight stays.
- CWU is a cashless campus, meaning parking and any meals paid for on site must be paid for with a debit or credit card.
- All participants must pay for parking at the kiosk in lot I-15 (credit or debit card only). The cost for parking is $6. Participants may park in lots I-15 and G-16. Vehicles with state exempt license plates do not have to pay.
- CWU has a kiosk to put cash onto a card, if needed.
Registration Information
- Each participant must register for the event using their own pdEnroller account.
- While there is an option to register more than one attendee with one account, you will not be able to register each person for different sessions. Due to this issue, we recommend each participant to register with their own account.
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Create your free pdEnroller account if you do not have one already.
- Please limit attendance to 3 people per LEA to ensure all who are interested in attending may have the opportunity.
- Registrants will receive a confirmation email with their selected sessions, keep this email for your records!
Register for the SY 22–23 School Meal Programs Annual Training today!
Dates
- Monday, August 8 - Pre-Con Day
- New Director Training | 12–4 pm
- Are you new to the School Meal Programs? This session is aimed at new Food Service Directors and Managers. Join us for a 4-hour, interactive overview of Performance Standard 1: Certification & Benefit Issuance, Performance Standard 2: Meal Pattern Requirements, and General Areas with the goal to set you up for a successful school year.
- Participants will receive 4 hours of Professional Standards Credits for this session.
- SY 2022–23 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Annual Training | 1–4 pm
- Did you get funding to operate the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the upcoming school year? Join this pre-con session to review the program. Required for new FFVP operators, this session is appropriate for returning sponsors as well.
- Participants will receive 3 hours of Professional Standards Credits for this session.
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Tuesday, August 9 - Annual Training—Planned training sessions will include a variety of topics for both new and seasoned staff. Best Practice: Review the Annual Training Schedule to review session descriptions and class times before registering! Participants may receive up to 6 Professional Standards Credits for attending the full day training.
Recorded Training Option
All planned trainings will be recorded and posted to the School Meal Programs Annual Training Moodle course for those who are unable to attend this in-person training. Maximize your Professional Standards Credits by viewing all trainings! Please note: You must have a Moodle Account to access these annual trainings.
Questions? Please email Sam Brueske, Training and Communications Specialist.
Applications are now open to for Northeast Washington ESD 101’s Child Nutrition Cooperative, a training and mentorship opportunity for NSLP and SBP providers. Through USDA’s 2022 Team Nutrition Training Grant, providers in ESDs 113, 171, 123, and 105 can apply to participate free of charge for up to two years.
Submit your application by August 1, 2022!
Who Can Apply?
Priority acceptance will be given to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) within ESDs 113, 171, 123, and 105 due to current grant funding. However, all interested districts are encouraged to apply, as applications will be used to determine program expansion in the future.
Why Sign Up?
Participating LEAs receive small equipment grants, culinary training, menu planning assistance, administrative support, and training.
Need more information? Please email Erica Lamson or Abby Miller, ESD 101 contact.
Join us for a Scratch Cooking Recipe Development Training following the WSNA Conference in Spokane on Wednesday, July 27!
At this free, half-day training, you’ll learn the basics of recipe standardization from how to find and analyze a starting recipe through taste testing and scaling to volume. Other useful scratch cooking topics such as planning for success, using local ingredients, and how to promote your new recipes will also be covered.
Register for the Scratch Cooking Recipe Development Training Date: Wednesday, July 27 Time: 1–5 pm PT
This training will be most useful for nutrition professionals responsible for scratch recipe development and menu planning.
This training will be repeated in three additional locations around the state in October. For additional information about this or other Team Nutrition Grant activities email Erica Lamson, Team Nutrition Grant Coordinator.
The Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA) is statewide nonprofit association of child nutrition food service professionals with the goal of providing nutritious meals for children while placing a strong emphasis on continuing education for professionals.
Annual Summer Conference
WSNA's Annual State Conference is the event to be at! Join your fellow WSNA members to learn new things and have some fun! View the Conference At A Glance for an overview of the event.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, Spokane City Center Dates: Monday, July 25–Wednesday, July 27 Cost: Members—$165, Non-Members–$305
Ready to sign up? See the WSNA Conference webpage for more info!
Contact Mindy Cass, WSNA Executive Director, for additional information and scholarship opportunities!
The annual Value of Commodities Shipped report summarizes the total value of USDA Foods shipped to your district during the school year for the National School Lunch Program. The report for School Year 2021-22 is now available.
Instructions on how to generate and print the report are available on the Food Distribution webpage.
Please print a copy of the report for your business manager or fiscal officer.
The following information is provided in the Value of Commodities Shipped report:
COMMODITY: Each commodity is listed as either bonus or entitlement.
- 10000 codes: USDA direct items
- W-Code: State processed USDA items
- D001 code: Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Fresh funds (if applicable)
- 100532 code: Unprocessed Fruit and Vegetable Pilot funds (if applicable)
UNITS SHIPPED: The cumulative number of units that were shipped to your district during the 2021-22 school year.
SFSP REPORT: If you participated in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), you will need to log into CNP using your SFSP username and password to access your summer usage. Then continue with the instructions above.
USDA VALUE: The cumulative values using weighted cost averaging of all shipments received as shown on each Local Education Agency (LEAs) Order Form.
The total value (sum of total entitlement value and total bonus value) may be used as the amount of revenues for account 6998 commodities on the district’s annual financial statement (Form F-196).
The value may also be used for:
- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 10.555 National School Lunch Program.
- Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
Questions? Please email Sarah Davis or call 360-725-6215.
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Make plans to be in office!
September orders open Wednesday, August 3, and will close Wednesday, August 10, at 4 pm.
Surplus orders will open Thursday, August 11 at 1pm for groups 1 - 3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, August 12, at 4 pm.
For more information on your group number, please review the SY 2022–23 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:
- New Fees - Delivery Fee Schedule for SY 2022–23 will be released in the coming weeks.
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New - Minimum 20 cases per warehouse (dry vs frozen).
- Due to increased labor and production cost, several processors issued price increases starting in the November order period. Please review the 10/11 W-Code Price Increase Article for more details.
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 Office or call 360-725-6204.
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