12/12 Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 12/12/2025 04:10 PM PST

12/12 Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Correction: Operations During Emergency School Closures
Update: Closures Impacting Food Distribution Deliveries

Correction: Operations During Emergency School Closures

Important Correction

In the Special Update sent on December 11, we incorrectly referenced remote or online learning options for school closures. In accordance with Bulletin 033-25: 2025-26 School Year Updates – Sunsetting Continuous Learning 2.0, online learning is not an allowable delivery of program for basic education during sudden, short-term closures resulting from weather or other related impacts to daily in-person instruction. The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs (NSLP/SBP) cannot be operated when school is not in session.

Please replace the December 11 Special Update with the information below.

Corrected Update: Operations During Emergency School Closures

Washington state received several waivers to assist Child Nutrition Program sponsors impacted by emergency school closures due to extreme weather events. Schools may utilize the following programs:

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
- Sponsors must have operated SFSP in Summer 2025.
- Sites must be in an area where at least 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals based off school or census data.
- Two meals or one meal and one snack may be served and claimed for reimbursement.
- SFSP or NSLP/SBP Meal Pattern requirements apply.
Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
- Any Local Education Agency (LEA) currently approved for NSLP/SBP may operate.
- Sites must be in an area where at least 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals based off school or census data.
- Two meals or one meal and one snack may be served and claimed for reimbursement.
- NSLP/SBP Meal Pattern requirements apply.

Additional Requirements

Please submit the Unanticipated School Closure Meal Distribution Plan (MDP) as soon as emergency meal service plans are made.
- If the closure lasts more than 10 days, OSPI will have to request approval from the USDA for continued operations.
WINS site applications and calendars will need to be revised once the emergency school closure has ended to reflect operations during the closure.

Available Waivers

Non-Congregate Feeding: Allows meals to be eaten off-site.
Meal Service Time Flexibility: Allows the service of multiple meals together and meal service outside of time restrictions.
Parent/Guardian Meal Pick-up: Allows parent/guardian(s) to pick up meals on behalf of their children if processes are in place to ensure meals are provided to eligible children and to prevent the service of duplicate meals.
Offer versus Serve for High Schools: Allows the serve-only meal service style to be implemented with the 9–12 age/grade group.

The Operation During Unanticipated School Closures Reference Sheet will be updated with current information soon.

Please review the Operation During Unanticipated School Closures Reference Sheet for more details.

Questions? Contact your School or Summer Meal Programs Specialist

Update: Closures Impacting Food Distribution Deliveries

If your LEA experiences unexpected closures and your delivery cannot be accepted, please contact the Empire Distribution System (IEDS) carrier that delivers your USDA Foods:

Please note the updated phone numbers below.

East

Hernandez Transportation – *Updated* 425-305-7051
Fastway Transportation – 509-534-9351 ext. 1

West

Holman Transportation – 253-867-0682
Peninsula Transportation – *Updated* 253-929-2067

Loading docks and delivery areas must be clear of snow, ice, and standing water to allow for safe deliveries. Please work with your facilities department to ensure your delivery area is ready.

Questions? Email the Food Distribution team inbox or call 360-725-6204.

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.