Join us for office hours held every other Wednesday of the month through June from 2–3 pm.
Come talk to SFSP specialists and fellow sponsors about all things SFSP.
Register for Office Hours here
49% of American Indian and Alaska Natives experienced food insecurity during COVID-19
The Native American Agriculture Fund and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) launched a new survey for continued research about food access, food sovereignty, and food security for Native American people that can help determine resources needed to improve access to nutritious food for tribal communities.
Submit your response by June 30, 2023.
The last survey was conducted in 2021. Review findings from the survey report, Reimagining Hunger Responses in Times of Crisis. This report illuminates the challenges of food security in Indian Country and the Tribally-driven solutions needed to address.
Do you have a newsletter, social media, or other ways you communicate to those you serve? Use this customizable communications toolkit to highlight the important issue of Native American food insecurity and encourage others to take the food access survey.
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If you did not receive promotional materials at one of our in-person trainings, you may place your order for materials using the link below from our partner, the United Way of King County. They will process and ship materials to you directly.
Order SFSP Promo Materials
Questions? Please email the Summer Meals Team.
Planning to operate this summer? Ensure your application is submitted by the recommended deadline to guarantee it’s reviewed before your planned start date.
- Starting between June 16–30? Submit by May 20.
- Starting between July 1–15? Submit by June 4.
- Starting after July 16? Submit by June 15.
All applications must be received by June 15, the federal application deadline. Please note that it can take up to 30 days to process a complete and correct application.
Application Materials Include:
Additional application materials can be found on the SFSP Program Materials/Forms webpage.
Questions? Please email the Summer Meals Team.
For those who haven’t already satisfied these training requirements through another Child Nutrition program, they can be viewed using the following links. Please note, all three Procurement recordings must be viewed to satisfy the Procurement training requirement.
For those who were unable to join us live on April 5, the recorded Returning Sponsor webinar provides program updates and a refresher of some SFSP requirements.
Viewing this webinar will satisfy the annual training requirement if your organization:
- Operated SFSP in 2022;
- Does not have new lead administrators; AND
- Was not assigned in-person training as part of Corrective Action.
View the 2023 SFSP Returning Sponsor Webinar today!
Please email the Summer Meals Team for a copy of the slides and your Professional Standards Certificate.
In preparation for summer 2023, we have made several updates to our SFSP forms. Please ensure all copies of your forms are the most current version.
Questions? Please email the Summer Meals Team.
Federal regulations and guidance do not require SFSP sponsors to publicly post health inspection reports at non-school sites. 7 CFR 225.6(i)(9) requires SFSP sponsors to maintain proper health and safety standards in conformance with all applicable state and local laws and regulations. Therefore, if state or local laws and regulations require health inspections to be publicly visible, sponsors must comply.
Additionally, SFAs that operate summer sites that are located at schools must comply with program regulations at 7 CFR 210.13(b) and 220.7(a)(2), which state that the most recent inspection report must be posted in a publicly visible location.
Questions? Please email the Summer Meals Team.
The awarded funds will help these sponsors increase meal sites and participation, improve meal quality and food safety, expand SFSP promotion, and more!
- Clarkston School District
- North Thurston Public Schools
- Prosser School District
- Boys and Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula
- Hunger Intervention Program
- Share Vancouver
- Concerned Citizens
Thanks for all you do to support feeding children in our state!
OSPI CNS invites you to participate in Farm to Summer Week, July 10–14.
Did you know? Including fresh, local foods in your menus increases meal quality and supports local farmers! Additionally, nutrition and agriculture enrichment activities have been shown to increase kids’ willingness to try new foods!
Now's the time to start planning your program's Farm to Summer Week! All you have to do is include a fresh, local food item in your SFSP menu, and offer a food-related enrichment activity to program participants.
We encourage you to check out our recently updated Farm to Summer Guide Resources for ideas and resources.
Don’t know where to buy local? Use the Washington Food & Farm Finder to find resources near you!
Questions? Please email the OSPI Farm to Child Nutrition Programs team!
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To support sponsors in integrating local foods into your meals, OSPI CNS is excited to feature a new Harvest of the Summer section in our newsletter. Each newsletter will highlight one local food that will be in season the following month. The highlight will include recipe ideas, educational resources, and more!
Strawberries
There are more than 600 unique varieties of strawberries in varying shapes, sizes, and flavors. This accessory fruit is part of the rose family and usually the first commercial berry to start ripening in our state.
Did you know that Washington state grows approximately 1% of the country's strawberries, with most being produced in Skagit and Whatcom counties? This is one of the many reasons to highlight strawberries in your menus!
The USDA SNAP-Ed Strawberries webpage has some amazing resources including tips on selection and storing these fruits and preparation tips.
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WA Farm to School Network Gathering
Is your program engaged in Farm to Child Nutrition activities or interested in starting? The Washington State Farm to School Network invites you to the first in-person gathering since 2018! The goal of the gathering is to reconnect and reinvigorate the network and those involved in all aspects of Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Education activities.
What is Farm to School?
Farm to School looks different in every community but is typically comprised of one or more of the following activities:
- Serving local food as part of a school meal or snack.
- Providing food and agriculture related education opportunities.
- Offering garden-based experiential learning.
Who is the Washington Farm to School Network?
The network is compiled of School Districts, Early Care Centers, Farmers, Chefs, State Agencies, Non-profits, and anyone who is passionate about Farm to Child Nutrition. The network exists to advance Farm to School (F2S) and Farm to Early Childhood Education (F2ECE) activities in WA state, increasing equitable access to healthy nutritious foods and connecting youth to their food sources, and instilling lifelong healthy habits.
Register to attend the Gathering by May 22!
Location: Wenatchee Confluence Technology Center
Date: Friday, June 9
Time: 8 am – 3 pm
Cost: Free
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The first day of program operation is:
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The application due date is:
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Between June 16–30, 2023
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May 20, 2023
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Between July 1–15, 2023
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June 3, 2023
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After July 16, 2023
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June 15, 2023
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