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Child Nutrition Services (CNS) released Bulletin 033-23: Additional Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Funding for Child Nutrition Programs. This bulletin details the distribution of a third round of SCA funds for Local Education Agencies (LEA) operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Funds are scheduled to be distributed through the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) in September 2023.
Complete Your SCA Funds Survey
SCA funds are intended to support LEAs who continue to experience supply chain disruption and financial difficulties related to the operations of the School Meal Programs. LEAs must let us know if they would like to receive these funds by completing a brief survey.
Please complete the SCA Funds survey by July 31, 2023.
Please note that USDA recently announced a fourth round of SCA funds for SY 2023–24. We will share details at a later date.
Questions? Please email Wendy Barkley, Director of Child Nutrition Services Operations and Administration.
Civil Rights Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated their Nondiscrimination Statement (NDS) in May 2022 to clarify prohibitions against discrimination based on sex in all USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) programs.
Translations Update
The USDA posted additional translations of the updated statement to their Nondiscrimination Statement webpage. When utilizing these materials, be sure to use the document listed under the "All Other Programs NDS" column.
Public Notification Requirement
USDA Child Nutrition Program sponsors have the responsibility to inform applicants, participants, grassroots organizations, and potentially eligible persons of information such as:
- Program availability
- Changes in programming
- The policy of non-discrimination
- The procedure for filing a Civil Rights complaint
- Your organization's responsibilities to be compliant with Civil Rights rules and regulations
Public notification responsibilities include websites or webpages used for the promotion of the Child Nutrition Programs and public-facing documents.
Operators and sponsors are required to take reasonable steps to ensure program access and benefits to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
Steps to Complete
- Ensure webpages and other widely distributed documents contain required Civil Rights information.
- The NDS 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 websites, student handbooks, brochures, letters to families, and press releases.
- Be on the lookout for CNS documents to be updated with the current NDS statement. Utilize these documents once available.
- OSPI CNS updated documents to include the updated statement in English and Spanish. We are in the process of updating documents translated into other languages.
- Continue using the 2019 'And Justice for All' posters.
- OSPI CNS has ordered updated 'And Justice for All' posters, we are currently waiting to receive these items and will announce when distribution will begin.
- Until you receive the updated posters, please continue using the 2019 'And Justice for All' posters in areas where participants may see it.
- For more information, please review the 6/26 Keep Using The 2019 "And Justice for All" Posters update.
Resources
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
Applications for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) are due by August 30 for Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCI) and September 30 for Public and Private Schools.
Renewal Bulletins
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Residential Child Care Institutions
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Public and Private Schools
Resources
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS School Meals Program Specialist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released Child Nutrition Program reimbursement rates for the upcoming school year.
Rates are effective July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, and are posted on the CNS Claims, Fiscal Information and Resources webpage.
Reimbursement Rates for National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP)
Meal
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Free
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Reduced-Price
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Paid
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Breakfast
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$2.28
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$1.98
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$0.38
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Severe Need Breakfast
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$2.73
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$2.43
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$0.38
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Lunch (less than 60%)
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$4.25
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$3.85
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$0.40
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Lunch (60% or more)
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$4.27
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$3.87
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$0.42
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Performance Based Reimbursement
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$0.08
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$0.08
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$0.08
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Snack
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$1.17
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$0.58
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$0.10
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Reimbursement Rates for Special Milk Program
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Program Option
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All Milk
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Paid Milk
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Free Milk
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Pricing programs without free option
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$0.2625
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N/A
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N/A
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Pricing programs with free option
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N/A
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$0.2625
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Average cost per 1/2 pint of milk
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Non-pricing programs
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$0.2625
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N/A
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N/A
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OSPI recently awarded Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) funds to sites for SY 2023–24. A total of 197 schools have been offered funding to increase access to fresh produce as well as provide nutrition education. Congratulations to award recipients! Awarded sites and funding amounts can be viewed on the FFVP webpage.
Annual Training Requirement
Training is required to participate in this program.
All FFVP Sponsors, whether new or returning, must complete annual training. This course will be offered virtually on Canvas, OSPI’s new Learning Management System. FFVP training sessions will not be offered at in-person Annual Training this August.
This online course will review aspects of the program including menu planning, incorporating nutrition education into the school environment, and accommodating students with special dietary needs.
The FFVP Canvas course is under development but will be available by early September 2023. Once the course is live, sponsors with approved FFVP sites will be notified via email with a link to enroll in the course.
Questions? Please email Rachel Floyd, Special Programs Specialist.
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On June 25, 2022, President Biden signed the Keep Kids Fed Act, which extended USDA authority to waive certain requirements for Child Nutrition Programs to address COVID-19. This authority gave USDA extra resources to continue serving participants of the Child Nutrition Programs through the 2022–23 school year and the public health emergency.
The following flexibilities expired on June 30, 2023:
- Temporary NSLP reimbursement increase of $0.40 per school lunch.
- Temporary SBP reimbursement increase of $0.15 per school breakfast.
- Temporary CACFP reimbursement increase of $0.10 per meal or supplement.
- SY 2022–23 meal service operational and administrative flexibilities offered through individual 12(l) waivers (see full list here: SY 2022–23 Child Nutrition Programs Waiver Checklist).
- Off-site monitoring waivers.
These flexibilities were in place to allow program participants to be fed in a safe manner during the pandemic. However, with the end of the presidentially declared public health emergency on May 11, 2023, USDA Child Nutrition Program operators and State Agencies must continue to work towards a new normal.
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS School Meals Program Specialist.
School Meal Programs Annual Training will be held August 9–10 at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA.
New Format!
Thanks to your feedback requesting an in-depth look into school meal program requirements, we revamped our annual training format! The set up for this year is intended to dive into key topic areas and will provide hands-on activity time, break-out activities, and sharing of best practices!
Who Should Attend Annual Training?
This training is meant to enhance your knowledge about the School Meal Programs and allow time for you to connect to other School Meal Program operators around the state. Training is free to attend; however, participants must pay for meals, parking, and any overnight stays.
Registration Information
Use the Registering for Events with Multiple Sessions Information Sheet for an overview of how to register for trainings with multiple breakout sessions.
- 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 organization 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 2023–24 School Meal Programs Annual Training by August 2!
Best Practice: Review the Annual Training Schedule to review session descriptions and class times before registering! Participants may receive up to 8 Professional Standards Credits per day.
Available Workshops
OSPI Child Nutrition Services is hosting annual training as multiple workshops to provide an opportunity to explore School Meal Program operations and hot topics in depth. Our schedule is designed to allow participants that register for both dates to maximize Professional Standard Credits.
- Basics of Operating the School Meal Programs | 8hr
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IMPORTANT: Participants must register for Part 1 and Part 2 on the same day to attend this session.
- This session has reached maximum capacity for Wednesday, August 9.
- Culturally Inclusive Menu Planning | 4hr
- Marketing & Promoting Your School Meal Programs | 4hr
- Monitoring Your FSMC Contract | 4hr
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IMPORTANT: All LEAs contracting with a FSMC must have a district representative attend this workshop.
- Procurement & Farm to School | 4hr
- Scratch Cooking | 4hr
- USDA Foods* | 4hr
- Child & Adult Care Food Program Oversight* | 4hr
*These sessions will only be offered once.
Questions? Please email the School Meals Team inbox.
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The Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA) is a 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.
Join OSPI Child Nutrition Services at WSNA's Annual Summer Conference!
We will be presenting sessions on the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), Breakfast After the Bell (BAB), Special Dietary Needs, and more! But that's not the only reason to attend—You can kick off the year by having fun with your fellow School Meal Program officials, all while receiving Professional Standards Credits!
Location: Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center
Dates: Monday, July 24–Wednesday, July 26
Cost: Manager/ Employee—$215 | Directors/ Supervisors/ Chef—$330 Non-Members—$400
View the WSNA Summer Conference webpage for an overview of the event and registration information.
Looking to increase the amount of locally sourced food served in your meal program?
The WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant provides funding for SFAs participating in NSLP to purchase Washington Grown foods from November 2023 – June 2025.
The application will open this August, please visit the Farm to School Grant webpage.
Summer Squash
Did you know squash is one of the earliest plants domesticated in the Americas? This bountiful plant is typically available in Washington from July to October. Some other interesting facts about squash:
- They are related to cucumbers and melons.
- Zucchinis are so easy to grow and so abundant that Aug 8 is "National Sneak Some Zucchini onto your Neighbor’s Porch Day"!
- The largest ever recorded zucchini came in at just under 70 inches long and weighed 65 pounds!
Nutrition Information
- Contains vitamins C, B6, beta-carotene, and manganese.
- Zucchini has more potassium than a banana.
- Is a good source of fiber.
Selection and Storage
- Choose summer squash that is firm and free of cuts and bruises.
- Choose squash that are about 6 to 8 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter.
- Store zucchini in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
- Do not wash it until you are ready to use it.
- Cooked zucchini can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.
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Recipes
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Make plans to submit your USDA Foods Order!
September orders open Wednesday, July 26, and will close Wednesday, August 2, at 4 pm PT.
Surplus orders will open Thursday, August 3, at 1 pm for groups 1 and 2; 1:30 pm for group 3; and 2 pm for group 4.
Surplus closes Friday, August 4, at 4 pm.
For more information on your group number, please review the Order and Delivery Schedule 2023–24
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: Minimum of 20 cases per warehouse (dry vs frozen).
The Ordering and Receiving webpage has multiple resources to assist you in placing your order including instructions and the 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.
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Deliveries
- 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 the 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 team inbox or call 360-725-6204.
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Due to limited manufacture production, USDA has reduced availability of the following USDA direct products. The following items will no longer be available for your September delivery.
Eastern Washington
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100206 Apple Slices – Available December
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100212 Mixed Fruit – Available November
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100219 Peaches, sliced – Available October
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100220 Peaches, diced – Available October
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100355 Potato Wedges – Available December
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100362 Refried beans – Available February
Western Washington
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100206 Apple Slices – Available December
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100212 Mixed Fruit – Available November
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100220 Peaches, diced – Available October
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100242 Blueberries – No ETA
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100355 Potato Wedges – Available December
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100362 Refried beans – Available November
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110394 WG Tortilla – Not Available SY 2023–24
Questions? Please email the FDP Team inbox.
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