United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Team Nutrition Initiative will present a Meal Talk webinar on Reducing Sodium in School Meals to meet the Final Rule, “Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”
Register: Meal Talk
Date: February 20, 2025
Time:12–1 pm PT
Healthy Meals Incentives Lunch Trailblazer Awardees from Prescott School District in Washington and Urbandale Community School District in Iowa will share innovative ideas and best practices in reducing sodium and engaging students in menu planning. In addition, participants will learn about USDA’s Team Nutrition resources, the Institute of Child Nutrition’s Shaking It Up! resources, and the Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Awards.
This webinar will be recorded and made available at a later date on the Team Nutrition website. All who register will receive an email when the recording is available.
USDA Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs, Key Area 1000: Nutrition and Training Topic 1100: Menu Planning
For questions regarding this webinar, please reach out to TeamNutrition@USDA.gov.
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Breakfast Meals for Kids Grant
This grant opportunity is available to public school districts, tribal compact schools, and charter schools.
How to Apply
Grant applications are available on the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Child Nutrition Grants webpage and due Thursday, January 30, 2025, by 5 pm PT. *Note: Child Nutrition Grants are longer completed in iGrants. Submission instructions are within the application.
Focus Areas
This grant focuses on starting a new meal program, increasing participation in an existing program, improving program meal quality, and improving the equipment and facilities used in an existing program.
Application and Resources
Questions? Contact CNSGrants@k12.wa.us.
Griffin School District loves their Local Food for Schools (LFS) Foods!
Griffin School District has been serving scratch-made and locally sourced foods in their meal program.
 Check out their homemade lasagna with garlic bread.
 Delectable quiche with self-forming crust.
 School lunch featuring LFS pork!
Want to share your rockstar recipes? Send photos and success stories to SchoolMeals@k12.wa.us
Eligible School Nutrition Association (SNA) members have access to equipment grants from 10 companies. The total value of the equipment grants being awarded is over $600,000!
To qualify for an SNF Equipment Grant:
- Must be current director-level members of the SNA as of January 1, 2024.
- Applications must represent the entire school district’s equipment needs.
- Applicants must be able to receive and install awarded equipment in 2025.
Applications will be reviewed for need, plan to integrate new equipment and impact of new equipment on school nutrition program.
Those selected as a finalist, will be asked to create a 2 to 3-minute video. SNF staff will send directions for the video application process to those who are chosen to move to the next round of judging. Watch the videos from the winning 2024 grant recipients here.
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Harvest of the Month
Each month OSPI will highlight one local food that will be in season the following month in a Harvest of the Month resource sheet. The resource sheets include fun facts, nutritional information, selection and storage tips, recipe ideas, and educational resources/activities. We are featuring Buckwheat for the month of February. If you don’t have access to Buckwheat near you or want to feature another food item, check out our past Harvest of the Month resource pages on the OSPI Farm to School webpage under the Harvest of the Month drop down menu. Want to plan for future months? Check out the 2024–2025 School year Harvest of the Month Calendar for what OSPI will be featuring throughout the school year.
Raw Animal Protein Survey
OSPI would like to understand what resources School Meal program sponsors need to use local raw proteins in scratch cooking.
Please complete this brief survey, about current practices and challenges associated with cooking with raw animal protein. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
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The Lunch Box — Guide to Values-Aligned Procurement
The Chef Ann Foundation’s The Lunch Box offers a step-by-step guide for procuring ingredients that align with district values, including Farm to School programing.
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Available resources include:
- Menu Planning and Forecasting Workbook
- Cost-price analysis template
- Micro, Small, and Formal Solicitation Templates
- Solicitation Tracking Tool
Washington Farm to School Network
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Want to learn more about traditional Indigenous foods of the Pacific Northwest? Through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Team Nutrition Grant, OSPI is hosting three virtual training sessions this spring. Each session builds on the last. Plan to attend all three if possible. Contracted training instructors include Valerie Segrest, Maria Givens, and Elizabeth Campbell. |
Indian Country 101
This foundational session introduces the key principles of Indigenous inclusion, covering the history of Native people in the U.S., basics of Tribal sovereignty, and initial steps for respectful engagement with Tribes and Native individuals.
Register for Indian Country 101
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 2–3:30pm
Northwest Native Foods
This training emphasizes the cultural significance and nutritional benefits of Northwest Native foods, including wild greens and berries, roots, salmon, and elk.
Register for Northwest Native Foods
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
Time: 2–3:30pm
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Food Sovereignty and Education Initiatives in Tribal Communities
This is an in-depth look at Tribal food sovereignty, including the history and impact of Native-led food initiatives across Indian Country. This session highlights the importance of food as a cornerstone of community and cultural resilience.
Register for Food Sovereignty and Education Initiatives in Tribal Communities
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025
Time:2–3:30pm
This project was funded using United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant funds.
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