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Join us for office hours held every other Wednesday through June from 2–3 pm.
Come talk to SFSP specialists and fellow sponsors about all things SFSP.
Register for Office Hours here
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 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.
Please use the https://www.fns.usda.gov/meals4kids web address when sharing out the USDA Summer Meal for Kids Site Finder. This new link is both desktop and mobile friendly unlike the original link provided by USDA.
We understand the difficulty many of you have faced and will continue to face as SFSP operations return to traditional requirements, including congregate feeding. The safety of sponsors, staff and participants is our priority. If you experience any challenges and/or safety issues during SFSP operations, please reach out to the summer meals team to discuss options.
Questions? Email the Summer Meals Team.
The USDA requires SFSP sponsors to have appropriate arrangements for food service during periods of inclement weather 7 CFR 225.6 (g)(1)(vi). Although all outdoor sites are not required to have an alternate temperature-controlled site, sponsors should have a contingency plan for dealing with extreme weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, excessive heat, or poor air quality. Options may include:
- Using a tent to provide extra shade on extremely hot days.
- Partnering with a housing community to use an air-conditioned lobby or community room on extremely hot days.
- Discontinuing meal service if safety is a concern.
If safety for staff and families is a concern and you plan to discontinue meal service, or the meal service will take place at an alternate site, plans must be in place for how the community will be notified. Sponsors are encouraged to plan for emergency situations in advance to ensure a rapid response.
If you plan on using a backup site that is not already included in your SFSP application, reach out to the Summer Meals team and request the site be added in WINS. Backup sites must still meet SFSP area-eligibility requirements.
In May 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced changes to the USDA nondiscrimination statement.
OSPI CNS has ordered updated “And Justice for All Posters”, we are waiting to receive these items and will announce when distribution begins.
The most current version that you may have is the 2019 “And Justice for All” poster. The 2019 poster was updated to have the USDA building as the image and should say “Revised September 2019” in the bottom left-hand corner. Please continue using the 2019 “And Justice for All” poster in areas where participants will see it.
Need the 2019 Poster? Please contact your OSPI Program Specialist.
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.
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.
School Food Authorities (SFA) 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.
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? Please share the survey to your audience and encourage others to take the food access survey.
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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!
Peas are available Fresh June–October
Facts:
- There are two types of peas: green (shelling) and edible-pod peas.
- Common edible pea pods are snap and snow peas and can be served raw or cooked. Green peas are taken from their pods and can be served raw or cooked.
- Peas are a member of the legume family.
- Washington State is one of the country’s top pea-producing states. Top pea-producing counties in Washington are Franklin, Grant, Walla Walla, and Benton.
Nutritional Benefits: Peas are nutrient-rich as they contain protein, iron, Vitamin A, C, and K, folate, and fiber.
The USDA SNAP-Ed Peas webpage has some amazing resources including tips on selection and storing.
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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 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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