Food establishments will be required to have at least one employee with a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate starting on March 1, 2023, per WAC 246-215-02107.
This includes unlicensed facilities such as LEA & community based At-Risk centers, nonresidential adult care facilities and emergency shelters.
Facilities that are licensed (DCYF, Military, or Tribal) are exempt from this requirement.
The CFPM’s responsibilities include training managers and staff, implementing a food safety program, and ensuring food safety requirements and procedures are followed. A CFPM is not required to be employed at each site. One employee may be the CFPM for all sites within an organization (such as the Food Service Director). If the CFPM leaves employment, a new CFPM must be on staff within 60 days.
The CFPM certificate must be obtained through an ANSI accredited organization. You can view a list of accredited organizations that issue food protection manager certifications on the Washington Department of Health’s (DOH) website. National Restaurant Association ServSafe, Food Protection Manager Training meets the CFPM certification requirements.
Resources:
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Pursuant to a February 9, 2023 declaration by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, the current public health emergency has been extended to May 11, 2023. The Administration has announced that, at present, the plan is for the COVID-19 public health emergency to expire on that date. On February 15, 2023, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) released two memos related to operations in the Child Nutrition programs after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends:
- SP 03-2023, CACFP 02-2023 PDF / WORD, Offsite Monitoring of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and School Meal Programs After the Public Health Emergency Ends. This guidance announces the expiration of offsite monitoring for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the School Meal Programs after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. Upon 30 days after the expiration of the public health emergency, this memorandum will supersede the following waivers related to onsite monitoring:
- CACFP 03-2023 PDF / WORD, Reimbursement for Meals and Snacks Served at Child and Adult Care Food Program Emergency Shelters after the Public Health Emergency Ends. This guidance announces that the temporary authorized reimbursement for meals and snacks served to young adults, ages 19 through 24, in emergency shelters participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program is expected to end on May 11, 2023, concurrent with the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Upon the expiration of the public health emergency, this memorandum will supersede:
FNS appreciates the exceptional efforts local Program operators in their efforts to maintain Program integrity during the public health emergency.
On February 7, 2023, the Proposed Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Revision to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was published in the Federal Register.
Based on the latest nutrition science and extensive feedback from Child Nutrition Stakeholders across the nation, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is proposing updates to the child nutrition standards in a few key areas to give children the right balance of nutrients for a healthy and appealing meals. The proposed updates reflect the goals of the most recent Dietary Guidelines, as required by law, and build in plenty of time for planning and implementation to ensure Sponsors and the children they serve are set up for success.
This proposed rule – Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is the next step in an ongoing effort toward healthier meals that USDA and the broader child nutrition community have been partnering on for well over a decade.
What to learn more?
FNS is excited to announce a new webinar on the provisions that impact CACFP and SFSP in the Proposed Rule: Child Nutrition Programs: Revision to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Register Here
Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Time: 11:30 AM PST
USDA would like your Feedback!
Comments on the Proposed Rule can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal through April 10, 2023. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Instructions are also included for mail-in comments. Please see Section 16 of the proposed rule for a summary of the rule and a list of specific questions for which USDA is seeking public comments, in addition to any other feedback stakeholders wish to provide. For more information on submitting comments, please see Tips for Submitting Effective Comments.
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Each month your regional staff will be holding office hours. Specialists will start office hours by providing important CACFP updates and reminders. During the remainder of the session, specialists will provide technical assistance and training around specific CACFP topics. If a specialist outside of your region is hosting office hours with a topic of interest to you, please feel free to join! |
Office Hours Schedule
Specialist: Andy Weaver, Region 6
Topic: Monitoring
Date 3/27/2023 Time: 1:00 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Eddie Griffin, Region 7
Topic: Staff Training
Date 3/20/2023 Time: 11:00 AM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Jeannette Green, Region 3
Topic: Menus
Date 3/17/2023 Time: 12:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Molly Gleason, Region 4
Topic: Infant Meals
Date 3/27/2023 Time: 1:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Samantha Evans, Region 2
Topic: Special Dietary Needs
Date 3/27/2023 Time: 1:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Teresa Diaz, Region 1
Topic: Monitoring
Date 3/20/2023 Time: 1:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Arianne McConchie, Region 5&9
Topic: Training Resources
Date 3/21/2023 Time: 3:00 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Tina Bischoff, Region 8
Topic: Special Dietary Needs
Date 3/20/2023 Time: 4:00 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Terri Adolfson has been the Program Specialist in the Northeast Region of Washington for the past 15 years. She transitioned to the Summer Food Service Program on February 15th. While we will miss her presence on the CACFP team, are happy she will still be part of the Child Nutrition team at OSPI. This transition allows her to continue her work in supporting Child Nutrition Programs while allowing for more time with her family.
“It has been a pleasure working with all of you for the past 15 years. I have enjoyed seeing you in action as you feed your children healthy nutritious foods while in your care. For those of you who have gone above and beyond the regulations I would like to give you KUDOS!”-Terri Adolfson
While we work to fill this vacancy, Region 9 Sponsors should direct all CACFP related questions to the coverage team stationed out of the Olympia office.
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Chaundra.Barboza@k12.wa.us Director, CACFP
Arianne.Mcconchie@k12.wa.us Lead CACFP Specialist
Samantha.Evans@k12.wa.us Budget Specialist
If immediate questions arise, please call the main CACFP office line: 360-725-6200
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Current Recruitment
Do you believe in the power of good nutrition? Are you interested in assisting school districts and other institutions in providing children with healthy and nutritious meals? CNS is seeking skilled candidates for several positions. Does this sound like you? Apply to join the CNS team today!
Administrative Program Specialist (In Training) Candidate Pool- Recruitment is ongoing
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While it may not be a great time to start a garden at your center or plant seeds in the ground, winter is a great time to plan for future gardening efforts. Whole Kids Foundation’s Garden Grant Programs can help your center turn outdoor spaces into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity and support classroom curriculum.
Check out the Garden Grant FAQs for basic information about the program and how to apply for the grant. The grant application is currently open and will close on March 1st. Notifications will be sent to all applicants on August 1st, 2023.
Did you know you can purchase items using your nonprofit food service account to purchase seeds, fertilizer, watering cans, rakes, etc, to grow food if used as part of a reimbursable meal? The one requirement is that sponsors document the weight of the produce harvested and utilized in meals.
Food grown in the garden can also be a great tool to teach healthy eating habits. Harvest for Healthy Kids activity kits are available for free on their website. The kits connect young children with fresh food grown close to home through science, math, and literacy activities. The kit includes hands-on activities with different fruits and vegetables, colorful picture cards, newsletters for families and background information for adults. All Harvest for Healthy Kids activities are aligned with early learning standards and have been rigorously evaluated.
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Does your childcare program teach children about food, agriculture or nutrition? Do you serve local foods in meals or snacks? Do you have a garden or grow plants in the classroom? Would you like to? If so, the Washington Farm to School Network wants to hear from you!
Participants can win one of 42 Amazon gift cards up to $50, and the survey only takes 20-30 minutes to complete. Information from the survey will be used to develop resources, trainings, and support for Farm to ECE locally and across the state.
The survey will be open from February 20th through March 10th.
TAKE THE SURVEY
Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) includes any activities that promote food knowledge, good nutrition, and connections to the way our food is grown, harvested or foraged. Farm to ECE can benefit programs and their communities by offering experiential learning opportunities, supporting local businesses, engaging families, and instilling lifelong healthy habits.
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Standardized recipes are the gold standard for scratch cooking in Child Nutrition Programs. Learn more about recipe development and standardization in this new Moodle online learning module!
Designed with You in Mind!
With short video modules, it is easy to pick up and put down as the demands of the kitchen allow. Short video slides introduce topics such as the components of a standardized recipe and the recipe development process, while in-kitchen videos demonstrate these concepts in a real life setting.
Access the Training Now!
This new training can be found on the Recipe Development Training Moodle course. Please note: you must have a Moodle account to access this training.
This project was funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Team Nutrition Training Grant. Please send any feedback on this training module to Erica Lamson, Team Nutrition Grant Project Director.
Looking for Recipe Ideas?
Looking for some school meal recipe inspiration? Try these recipes developed by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Virginia Department of Education through the Fiscal Year 2021 Team Nutrition Training Grant.
USDA’s annual adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and free milk for the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 have been posted. These guidelines are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.
CLICK HERE for Federal Register SY 23-24 Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines
 CACFP week is coming! To celebrate, Child Nutrition Services at OSPI is joining the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for its annual national education and information campaign. This campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) works to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for participants of child care centers, adult day care services and day care homes across the country.
Help celebrate CACFP Week!
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Submit nomination(s) for CACFP Excellence Award(s) (and/or)
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Tell/show us what CACFP Means to you!
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Read Daily CACFP Resource Packets
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Attend a live NCA webinar for each weekday of CACFP Week
CACFP Excellence Award
Who is eligible to receive the CACFP Excellence Award?
Any individual or organization participating in the CACFP (centers, homes, schools, emergency shelters, food banks, etc.) or CACFP Sponsoring Organization can receive this award.
CACFP Excellence Categories include:
- Excellence in Foodservice
- Excellence in Nutrition Education
- Excellence in Mealtime
- Excellence in Menu Planning
- Excellence in Leadership
- Excellence in Innovation
- Excellence in Inclusion
- Excellence in Oversight
Submit your Excellence Award Nomination Here by Friday, March 3
Tell/show us what CACFP means to you!
Submit statements, artwork, photos, or quotes to describe what CACFP means to you, your staff/organization and the families you serve.
Submit your CACFP Testimonial Here by Friday, March 3
Read CACFP Resource Packets
Read the CACFP Resource Packets that will be curated by CACFP Specialists and sent each weekday of CACFP week. These packets will contain valuable information along with some fun activities/resources.
Attend a live NCA webinar for each weekday of CACFP Week
These webinars are centered around the themes of Community, Advocacy, Children, Food Program and Participate.
Monday, March 13 – Community: Building Healthy Bodies with the Foods We Serve
Tuesday, March 14 - Advocacy: Good News! Sharing Your CACFP Story
Wednesday, March 15 - Children: Healthy & Strong with Sesame Street
Thursday, March 16 - Food Program: Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure
Friday, March 17 - Participate: Tools & Resources for CACFP Success
Register for Live Webinars Here and for NCA CACFP Week Resources
CACFP Excellence Award recipients and CACFP Testimonials will be highlighted the week of March 12 in our CNS Update as well as in a special edition CACFP Excellence Awards communication.
The 2022-23 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), the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and the Afterschool Snack Program (ASP). 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 Program Reference Sheet provides more details on area eligibility.
Questions? Please contact your program specialist.
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 in child care programs.
Trainings will be held in January–March 2023. Some of the child care trainings include:
- Food Safety in Child care (4 hours)
- Introductions to Happy Mealtimes in Child Care Settings (4 hours)
- Norovirus in Child Care (2 hours)
- Training Culturally Diverse Groups (4 hours)
- 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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Not sure which milk to serve your CACFP participants? Here is a helpful handout you can use as a resource:
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Serving Milk in the CACFP Resource English / Spanish
- Outlines the type of milk to serve in the CACFP specific to the ages of your participants
- Features Try It Out! section to test your milk knowledge
Availability
- Order Print Copies: [English] [Spanish]. These are available for schools, CACFP providers, and sponsoring organizations that participate in or administer one of USDA’s child nutrition programs. All are welcome to download these materials and make copies.
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Spring Time is around the corner! Check out this garden-themed nutrition education kit!
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Grow It, Try It, Like It!
The Basics: Introduction and Resource Materials
Availability
- Order Print Copies: Print copies are only available in English. Child nutrition program operators may request printed copies of this resource, while supplies last.
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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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March 3
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CACFP Excellence Award Nominations/Testimonials Due
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March 15
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February Claims Due in WINS
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March 12-18
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National CACFP Week
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