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In summer 2024, Washington State will launch Summer EBT, “SUN Bucks”, a new grocery benefit program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out. The new, permanent program is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer meal sites in their communities.
Benefits of Summer EBT:
- Helps parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.
- Gives families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.
- Improves food security and diet quality for participating children.
Eligibility:
- Children who live in a household already receives assistance program benefits (SNAP, TANF, FDPIR), OR
- Child attends a school that operates the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP), AND
- Is directly certified for free and reduced-price school meals, or
- Submits a qualifying free and reduced-price meal application, or
- Submits a qualifying Family Income Survey (FIS), or
- Submits a Summer EBT application
Help Families in Your Community:
- Spread the word to families in your community! Use the Summer EBT Outreach Toolkit to promote the program with families.
- Encourage families who may have eligible children to submit a free and reduced-price meal application or Family Income Survey.
- Encourage families who receive free and reduced-price meal benefits to update their mailing address.
- Inform households that participation does not impact immigration status.
Questions? Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/sebt.
The USDA recently released the Supporting the Use of Traditional Indigenous Foods in the Child Nutrition Programs Cooperative Agreement on Grants.gov, which will award $2 million in total grant funding to up to four organizations. The purpose of this funding is:
- To provide regionally focused training and technical assistance for nutrition professionals in schools serving tribal communities.
- To increase procurement, preparation, and crediting of traditional Indigenous foods in schools serving tribal communities.
- To ensure that nutrition education is provided to accompany the traditional Indigenous foods that are included in meals.
Applicants must be led and staffed primarily by members of Federally Recognized Tribes and/or Native Hawaiians.
Additional Information:
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Register here for the February 13 (12:00 pm PT) informational webinar.
- Applicants must provide a Letter of Intent by February 19, 2024
- Submit proposals by March 18, 2024.
- Grant applications must be submitted through grants.gov.
The USDA released the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) – Increasing Options for Schools final rule in September 2023, which lowered the minimum Identified Student Percentage (ISP) threshold from 40% to 25%. To assist sponsors with the implementation of the final rule, the USDA released updated policy guidance and resources:
Join the USDA for a webinar!
Register here for the CEP 101: School Food Authority Webinar
Date: February 21, 2024
Time: 11:00am–12:00pm PT
Please note that the webinar and above policy guidance will review the Federal guidance on operating CEP. We will provide additional guidance and host a webinar on the impacts of the CEP Final Rule on Washington State requirements in the coming weeks.
Questions? Contact your School Meal Programs Specialist.
Local Food for Schools (LFS) foods are showing up on school menus across the state and the response from school nutrition professionals and students alike has been resoundingly positive. From roasted salmon to berry parfaits to bison burgers, Washington school nutrition professionals are busy crafting delicious and creative recipes that feature local LFS foods. Check out some of these incredible dishes created at Washington schools this month!
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Ellensburg School District’s Breakfast Bread made with Cairnspring Mills Whole Wheat flour provided by Puget Sound Food Hub. |
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Enumclaw School District’s Bison Burger made with Stangel Bison Ranch ground bison.
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Clarkston School District Beef Stroganoff made with stew beef from The Herd and Front Porch Farm.
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Highline Public Schools raspberry parfait made with Northwest Berry Cooperative frozen raspberries.
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Bainbridge Island School District Coho Salmon and Smashed Potatoes Roasted with Fresh Rosemary with Muckleshoot Tribal Fisheries Coho Salmon
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CNS is collecting photos of LFS foods to highlight the culinary talent of Washington school nutrition professionals and to share this unique approach to Farm to School with others. Please send photos of LFS menu items to Erica.Lamson@k12.wa.us.
Local Food for Schools Order Window & Pre-Order Survey
The next opportunity to order LFS foods is during the Surplus Order Period February 15–16. For upcoming order periods, opening schedules, and group number and assignments, see the SY2023-24 Order and Delivery Schedule. For more information about ordering LFS foods, see the Food Distribution Program (FDP) module in the School Meals Programs Canvas course. If you are not yet a student in that course, use this link to create an account and enroll. For product fact sheets and educational materials, see LFS drop-downs on the FDP Ordering and Receiving page.
During SY2023–24, LFS foods are available at no cost through a one-time USDA LFS Cooperative Agreement. We expect that LFS foods will continue to be available in SY2024–25 at the product’s contracted price. Expected pricing can be found in the LFS section of the FDP Pre-order Survey. If you plan to order LFS foods in SY2024–25, you should project order quantities for LFS Foods alongside USDA Foods on the Pre-order Survey. Centralized local purchasing can benefit LEAs by simplifying procurement, decreasing administrative burden, and improving transportation logistics.
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Program operators offering the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) during the 23–24 school year are encouraged to join us for monthly webinars!
OSPI CNS will discuss annual program requirements, new policy guidance, important reminders, and provide an opportunity for you to ask questions. Webinars are scheduled for the first Thursday of every month.
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Register for the School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars here!
Dates: Monthly through June 2024
Time: 2–3pm PT
Please note: You only have to register once and you will receive updates and reminders for each webinar.
Reminders
- Save us on your calendar! When you register, there is an option to add us to your calendar at the bottom of the confirmation email.
- A reminder email with your link to log into the webinar is sent one hour before the session starts.
- Follow up emails with a copy of the slides are sent to everyone registered for the session, even if they did not attend.
- We do not post recordings to the CNS webpages.
- Please keep an eye out in your inbox for these emails, if you do not see them in your inbox check your spam or junk folders.
Have topic suggestions for a future monthly webinar? Email suggestions to SchoolMeals@k12.wa.us
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) starts March 4! How will you ride the wave of success with healthy breakfast options at school?
This year, the #NSBW24 theme is “Surf’s Up with School Breakfast.” And now is the time to get a head start on promoting your program!
Why should you participate?
Recognizing NSBW in your district or cafeteria helps you:
- Increase student participation in your program.
- Spread the message to parents that you’re serving a healthy, tasty breakfast at school each day.
- Connect with teachers and administrators at your school, and throughout the district, to spread the word that school meals are healthy and delicious.
- Earn media coverage from local papers, blogs, and TV stations.
How can you participate?
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Promote National School Breakfast Week Download SNA's Marketing & PR Resources to increase awareness of #NSBW24!
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Use the NSBW toolkit to plan your event The NSBW Toolkit has prompts to help you plan your event(s), tips for engaging students, decoration ideas, and more!
Visit the School Nutrition Association and USDA webpages for ideas and resources
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To support sponsors in integrating local foods into your meals, OSPI CNS is excited to feature Harvest of the Month resource sheets. Each month we will highlight one local food that will be in season the following month. The resource sheets will include fun facts, nutritional information, selection and storage tips, recipe ideas, and educational resources.
In March, we are featuring wheat. Click here to check it out. You can find this and future Harvest of the Month resource sheets on our Farm to School webpage.
Farm to School Networking Events
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Farm to School Team is visiting several locations around the state to bring together school food buyers and agricultural producers to support new Farm to School purchasing relationships. Join a one-hour facilitated networking session to learn about successful partnerships and meet one-on-one with interested farmers and food producers.
February 2024 Locations and dates:
Okanogan
Department of Transportation - 28862 US-97
Date: Tuesday February 13, 2024
Time: 10:00–11:00am
Nespelem
WSU Extension Colville Reservation - 22 Nespelem/San Poil St
Date: Tuesday February 13, 2024
Time: 3:00–4:00pm
Colville
WSU Extension Stevens County - 986 S Main St D
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 11:00am–12:00pm
Please register here at least one day in advance. This is a free event, coffee and light refreshments provided.
Additional events are tentatively planned for Yakima and Walla Walla. Check here for details.
WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant: 2023–2025 Round 2 Application Opens Soon
The WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant is a competitive reimbursement grant available to schools, childcare centers, and summer food service programs for the purchase and use of Washington-grown foods in child nutrition programs.
Timeline:
- Round 2 Grant Period: July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
- Application Opens: late February/early March 2024
- Application Closes: April 2024
- Awards Announced: June 2024
Who Can Apply in Round 2:
- Active program operators of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP-childcare), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO).
- Family Day Care Home providers may not apply individually, but they may participate through the organization that oversees them.
- Tribal schools and Tribal early learning centers.
Recipients of a 2023–25 Round 1 WSDA Purchasing Grant are not eligible to apply.
Grow farm to school in your community with the support of an entire network
The Farm to School Institute model is a year-long professional learning experience that brings site-based teams together to build relationships, skills, and a collaborative action plan to further their farm to school goals. Team members bring a variety of expertise and may include classroom educators, administrators, nutrition services staff, and community partners. With the support of a coach, teams spend the school year putting their plans into action and strengthening their capacity to integrate lasting impacts across classrooms, cafeterias, and communities.
Read more about this wonderful opportunity on Ecotrust’s Institute Webpage
How to Apply
Fill out the Oregon and Washington K–12 Farm to School Institutes application here!
We encourage applicants to read through the FAQ page on the Institute webpage for more information about the program, Institute model, and in-person summer retreat details.
Applications are due Friday, March 8, 2024. Notifications of team selections will be made by April 8, 2024.
Questions? Please reach out to institute@ecotrust.org
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March orders open Wednesday, February 7, and will close Wednesday, February 14, at 4 pm.
Surplus orders will open Thursday, February 15, at 1pm for groups 1–2, at 1:30 pm for group 3, and 2 pm for all other groups. Surplus closes Friday, February 16, at 4 pm.
For more information on your group number, please review the SY 2023–24 Order and Delivery Schedule.
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Ordering
- To place an order: login to CNP Web.
- Your Food Distribution Application must be completed (including certified and submitted) before you can place an order
- Ordering Instructions
- Review the messages on the CNP Web message board for a current list of product availability and shortages
- New Fees: Delivery Fee Schedule for SY 2023–24
- Minimum 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 an 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 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 Office or call 360-725-6200.
What is the Pre-Order?
The Pre-Order is your commitment and a preliminary order for the upcoming 2024–25 school year. The survey informs OSPI Food Distribution volume and types of foods we need to order for the entire 2024–25 School Year.
Who must complete the Pre-Order Process?
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) who plan to participate in the USDA Food Distribution programs for SY 2024–25.
What do you have to do?
- Complete your initial survey by February 23rd. The final submission is due on March 1, 2024.
- On February 26th, OSPI FDP team will tally the total quantity of products requested and remove any items that do not meet the USDA minimum truck load requirement.
- Starting 2:00 p.m. (2/27), you will need to review and revise your order for items that did not meet state truck load minimums and reallocate your entitlement dollars to other products. The list will be posted in CNPweb and announced during the Office Hours.
- You will have until March 1 to finalize and complete this process. If you do not reallocate the entitlement dollars for these items, your entitlement will be returned to your account.
Reminder:
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20 case minimum is required – This means your frozen order must have a minimum of 20 cases, and each dry order must have a minimum of 20 cases for delivery.
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No August Delivery – The first delivery period is September 2024 and the final will be May 2025.
Here are some helpful tools:
Product Information Sheets
Questions? Email Sarah Davis or call 360-725-6215
Pre-Order Process Office Hours Every Tuesday starting January 30–February 27 Time: 2–3 pm PT
- Tuesday, February 13 – Check in on the Timeline then Q & A.
- Tuesday, February 20 – Check in on the Timeline then Q & A.
- Tuesday, February 27 – Review the Products that will not be available, then Q & A.
In case you missed it: View the 2023-24 Pre-Order Webinar
Questions? Email Sarah Davis or call 360-725-6215
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February 7–14
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March USDA Foods Orders Open in CNPweb
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February 13
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Pre-Order Office Hours | 2–3pm PT
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February 15
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Claims Due in WINS
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February 15–16
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March USDA Foods Surplus Orders Open in CNPweb
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February 20
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Pre-Order Office Hours | 2–3pm PT
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February 23
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USDA Foods Initial Pre-Order Survey Due
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February 27
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Pre-Order Office Hours | 2–3pm PT
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February 29
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December 60-Day Claim Deadline—if you haven't already, submit your claim
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March 1
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USDA Pre-Order Process Closes All Forms (DoD Enrollment, Diversions, USDA Commodities)
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