5/12 C.A.R.E. - Child and Adult Care Food Program Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 05/12/2025 03:27 PM PDT

Child and Adult Care Food Program C.A.R.E.: Week of 5/12

Update: Fiscal Year (FY) 25 CACFP Renewal Closes June 30
Update: Annual Reconciliation of Bank Account Activity
Update: USDA Policy Memo SP 11-2025, CACFP 09-2025, SFSP 05-2025 — Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods

Update: Fiscal Year (FY) 25 CACFP Renewal Closes June 30

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) renewal must be approved by June 30 for current fiscal year operation. This applies to all CACFP sponsor types (child care, at-risk, adult, emergency, HeadStart/ECEAP). New sites will not be approved to operate after June 30.

What does this mean for Sponsors currently operating CACFP?

New sites will not be approved after June 30 for FY 25 operation.
New schedules added to site calendars will not be approved after June 30 for FY 25 operation.

Note: Revisions to approved site applications and site calendars may be submitted in WINS anytime during the fiscal year.

What does this mean for Local Education Agencies (LEAs)?

CACFP Pre-K or At-Risk operation for SY 2025–26 in August or September must be approved by June 30.
If CACFP operation is anticipated
In August or September at a new site, or an existing site is expanding meal service with the addition of new schedule(s), please submit these additions prior to the end of the 2024–25 school year. This will allow time for approval prior to June 30.

Reminder: CACFP fiscal year is October–September.

Resources

CACFP Application and Renewal Reference Sheet

Adding New CACFP Sites Reference Sheet

CACFP Preparing to Complete Renewal Checklist

Questions? Contact your CACFP Program Specialist.

Upcoming Trainings

OSPI's The Basics for Multi-Site Sponsors, Virtual, Live Training

Instructor-led Virtual Training

Date: May 13, 2025

Time: 8:30am-4:30pm

The Basics for Multi-Site Sponsors | In-person

Date: August 5, 2025

Time: 9:00am–4:30pm

CACFP Oversight in Pre-K Programs | In-person

This training is intended for Local Education Agencies.

Date: August 5 & 6, 2025

Time: 2:30–3:45pm

Oversight at Unaffiliated Sites | In-person

Save the date

Date: August 7, 2025

Time: 9:00am–3:30pm

Update: Annual Reconciliation of Bank Account Activity

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule and amended regulations 7 CFR 226.7(b) and 7 CFR 226.10(c) to require annual reconciliation of bank account activity and accounting of reported actual expenditures with CACFP funds.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is responsible for assuring fiscal integrity of CACFP funds. Review of financial records ensures Sponsoring Organizations are demonstrating appropriate financial management practices and viability.

Note: This Final Rule only applies to Sponsoring Organizations (Sponsors of more than one site) and is being implemented in FY 25.

Who

All CACFP Sponsoring Organizations (operators of more than one site) approved for CACFP meal service.

What

Annual reconciliation of bank account activity and accounting of reported expenditures with CACFP reimbursement for one month. Sponsors must provide a bank statement showing CACFP revenue and expenses along with documentation to support the CACFP allowable costs.

When

In May/June 2025, sponsors will receive a records request indicating the financial review month.

How

Sponsoring Organizations will receive an email providing secure login credentials to the OSPI File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) site. Sponsoring Organizations will also receive additional instructions related to how to organize records prior to uploading to the SFTP.

Resources:

Annual Reconciliation of Bank Account Activity Webinar—Coming Soon!

Questions? Contact Samantha Evans samantha.evans@k12.wa.us.

Update: USDA Policy Memo SP 11-2025, CACFP 09-2025, SFSP 05-2025 — Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods

The USDA released policy memo SP 11-2025, CACFP 09-2025, SFSP 05-2025: Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods to remind schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in an USDA Child Nutrition Program (CNP), including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Special Milk Program for Children (SMP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), of the many ways they can purchase local foods to serve in Program meals.

Sourcing and serving locally grown foods, and other farm to school activities, such as taste testing, gardening, and agriculture education, can infuse new energy and vision into CNP operations, support community health, create new opportunities for American farmers, invest Federal dollars in local economies, and strengthen strategies to encourage healthy choices.

Important Dates to Remember

May 13	The Basics for Multi-Site Sponsors \| 8:30am–4:30pm \| Virtual
August 5	The Basics for Multi-Site Sponsors \| 9am–4:30pm \| Mill Creek
August 5 & 6	CACFP Oversight in Pre-K Programs \| 2:30–3:45pm \| Ellensburg
August 7	Oversight at Unaffiliated Sites \| 9am–3:30pm \| Ellensburg

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

ADA NOTIFICATION FOR OSPI CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES EVENTS
To arrange accommodations for persons with disabilities for OSPI Child Nutrition Services events, please contact the Child Nutrition Services Team at 360-725-6200, TTY 360-664-3631, or by email, child.nutrition@k12.wa.us at least three business days before the event. Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

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This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.