Special Update: Summer Food Service Program Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 12/02/2025 08:44 AM PST

Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Update: Turnip the Beet 2025 Nominations Are Open!

Update: Turnip the Beet 2025 Nominations Are Open!

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites sponsors of summer meal programs to apply for the Turnip the Beet Award, which honors organizations that provide high-quality, nutritious, and appealing meals to children during the summer months.

Helpful resources, including Tips for Sponsors, are available on the Turnip the Beet Webpage. Submit completed nominations via email to the Summer Meals Inbox.

Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your program's achievements and inspire others. Submit your application today! Awards recognize creativity, community impact, and dedication to serving children nutritious meals.

Apply now for the Turnip the Beet Award!

Deadline: January 8, 2026
Turn-in link: Apply Now
- Please note the process requires submissions are sent to the OSPI Summer Meals team, who will review the materials and submit them to USDA on your behalf.
Turnip the Beet 2025 Nomination Packet
Tips for Sponsors

Celebrating 2024 Washington Winners

In Summer 2024, USDA honored three Washington programs among 199 national winners’ congratulations to our state awardees!

Gold: Hunger Intervention Project
Silver: Boys & Girls Club of Columbia Basin; Metro Parks Tacoma – Summer Playgrounds and Meals

Your program could be nominated next!

Celebrate your dedication to serving high-quality summer meals submit your nomination today! Apply Now

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.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.