6/23 S.S.T.A.R. - Summer Meal Service Program Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 06/23/2025 03:30 PM PDT

Summer Food Service Program S.S.T.A.R.: Week of 6/23

Update: June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
Farm to Summer Corner
Important Dates to Remember

Update: June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

Summertime means eating fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the garden or visiting a local farmers market or farm stand to pick up delicious fruit and vegetables and the peak of freshness.

Take a look at the Harvest of the Summer calendar and pick some fresh fruit and vegetables to feature in your summer menus or at home.

Training Opportunities

Institute of Child Nutrition Recorded Webinar: Scratch Made Salad Dressings and Condiments

Explore the benefits of incorporating scratch-made salad dressings and condiments in your food service operation.

Farm to Summer Corner

Grant Opportunities

2025–2027 WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant — Closes July 3, 2025

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Farm to School Purchasing Grant Application for the 2025–2027 school years closes, July 3, 2025, at 5pm PST.

The WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant is a competitive reimbursement grant supporting the use of Washington-grown foods in child nutrition programs.

For further details, please visit the WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant webpage.

Farm to Summer Week 2024 Recap: A Taste of Success!

Gearing up for another vibrant summer, let's celebrate the incredible efforts of our Farm to Summer Week participants from last year. Big thanks to all the programs that embraced this initiative and served fresh, local meals to their communities!

Auburn School District
Boys and Girls Club of Columbia Basin
Kent School District
Klickitat School District

These sponsors served over 6,300 meals featuring locally sourced items. Way to go, WA Sponsors!

Farm to Summer Week 2025 — Save the Date

This summer, join the movement! If you missed pledging through the summer meals application, you can still participate by emailing us at farmtocnp@k12.wa.us.

Celebrate Washington’s Seasonal Summer Bounty by joining OSPI’s Farm to Summer Week, July 14–18, 2025. Serve local foods, share food education, and spotlight your efforts using #WAFarmtoSummer.Let’s celebrate the flavors of summer and support Washington’s farmers! Find promotional tools and activities on the Farm to Summer webpage.

Together, let’s support local food producers and nourish our communities. Share your story with #WAFarmtoSummer

Check out the NEW Summer Meal Program & Farm to Summer Toolkit. The toolkit includes editable flyers, sample social media posts and captions, tips for using different platforms, and ideas to boost engagement online.

Questions? Contact us to pledge or learn more!

Harvest of the Summer

To support sponsors using local foods, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is creating Harvest of the Summer resource sheets. Each week in July and August, OSPI will feature one local, seasonal food. The resource sheets will include fun facts, nutritional information, selection and storage tips, recipe ideas, and educational resources/activities.

July's resource sheets will feature carrots, potatoes, onions, blueberries, and bush beans. You can find these, and future Harvest of the Summer resource sheets on our Farm to Summer webpage.

Submit a Recipe for the Harvest of the Season Initiative

OSPI received a USDA Farm to School Grant to create a toolkit to support sponsors in implementing Harvest of the Month programs featuring 24 Washington-grown foods. Submit your favorite breakfast, lunch, snack, or supper recipe here. Selected recipes will be included in the toolkit, with credit to the sponsor who submitted it, giving you the opportunity to shine and share your culinary creations with a wider audience.

Check out the May 27 Farm to CACFP article for more information.

Important Dates to Remember

July 4	Independence Day Observed \| OSPI Closed
July 14-18	Farm to Summer Week

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.