OSPI is partnering with the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) to host an exciting, in-person training on the CACFP meal pattern during CACFP Week in March!
Join OSPI and the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) for an engaging 6-hour training designed to help you confidently implement the latest CACFP meal pattern requirements for serving nutritious, creditable meals and snacks to children and adults. You’ll discover what’s new across meal components and learn practical tips and strategies for real-world implementation. Plus, deepen your expertise with an Infant Meal Pattern Requirements section that covers the updated standards based on infants’ growth and development, exploring each update alongside actionable tips and strategies to support healthy feeding practices from birth through 11 months.
Sessions at a Glance
CACFP Meal Pattern – Morning Session
Learn the latest updates to CACFP child and adult meal patterns in this comprehensive training. Gain practical tips and strategies to serve nutritious, creditable meals and snacks that meet program standards.
Infant Meal Pattern – Afternoon Session
Explore updated CACFP infant meal patterns designed to support healthy growth and development. This session provides clear guidance, tips, and strategies for successful implementation.
Attendees that do not serve infants may leave after the morning session. Those interested in learning about the infant meal pattern are encouraged to stay for the afternoon session.
Training is free to attend.
Spokane
Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Time: 8 am – 4 pm
Location: NewTech Skills Center
4141 N Regal Street
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Olympia
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 8 am – 4 pm
Location: Olympia School District - Esther Knox Building
111 Bethel Street NE
Registration closes March 14, 2026
Questions? Contact CNSTraining@k12.wa.us
The 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. All CACFP sponsors that operate at two or more locations must complete this annual review. School districts are exempt.
WHAT: Annual Bank Account Reconciliation Reviews
WHO: CACFP Sponsors who operate CACFP at two or more locations in WA State.
WHEN: Review are required annually. Sponsors will receive at least 30 days advance notice, either as part of a scheduled CACFP Administrative Review or as a standalone review if not otherwise scheduled.
NOTIFICATION: CACFP Sponsors will receive notification when their Annual Bank Account Reconciliation Review is scheduled. This communication will provide detailed instructions regarding the specific records required for submission, as well as a clearly stated deadline. Sponsors are allotted 30 calendar days from the date of notification to collect and prepare all necessary documentation for the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will my organization/business be scheduled for this review?
A: Organizations or businesses that operate CACFP at multiple sites will be scheduled for this annual review.
Q: If I have an Administrative Review with my Administrative Program Specialist scheduled for FY 26, do I still need to submit records?
A: Yes, every year all CACFP Sponsors with two or more sites must complete the review. Sponsors with a review scheduled for FY26 will receive an Administrative Review Checklist that includes bank statements with the 30-day notice.
Q: I have not been informed that I have a CACFP Administrative Review this year. How will I know if I am being reviewed?
A: If a sponsor has not received an email from OSPI indicating that they are scheduled for a FY26 CACFP Administrative Review, they will be notified by the Child Nutrition Services Fiscal Team of an Annual Bank Account Reconciliation Review. Notifications will be sent March through September 2026. Sponsors will be given 30 days from the date of notification to gather and prepare the records.
Q: How will my records be kept confidential?
A: OSPI employs a Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) site, allowing sponsors and CACFP staff to upload records securely. Sponsors will be sent the Secure File Transfer Protocol Guide for instructions on uploading materials.
Q: How can I access the OSPI Secure File Transfer Site?
A: Sponsoring organizations received login credentials for the OSPI SFTP site and were advised to store them securely. Use the same credentials provided in June 2025.
Q: What happens if the review results in findings or errors?
A: Sponsors with financial management findings, unallowable CACFP expenses, or missing financial records will have 10 days to submit a corrective action plan with internal controls to address and prevent these types of errors. OSPI will provide technical assistance to support corrective action.
Resources
Questions? Contact your OSPI CNS Financial Resources Program Specialist.
Federal procurement thresholds have been updated by the Office of Management and Budget, effective October 1, 2025. This update applies to all child nutrition programs including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
The final rule, (90 FR 41872) amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the statutory requirement to adjust acquisition-related thresholds for inflation every five years. As reflected in 48 CFR 2.101 (FAR 2.101), the thresholds under federal awards increase as follows, effective October 1, 2025:
- Federal micro-purchase threshold increased from $10,000 to $15,000
- Federal simplified acquisition threshold (formerly known as the federal small purchase threshold) increased from $250,000 to $350,000
State and local agencies retain the authority to establish lower micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds, which would impose more restrictive procurement requirements. If the state has not established lower thresholds, local Program operators may apply the federal thresholds in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320(a)(1) and applicable program regulations.
This notification supersedes and rescinds SP20 CACFP07 SFSP06-2019 (Revised). For additional guidance on procurement requirements, please refer to 2 CFR Part 200.
CACFP regulations require sponsors to separate expense data by category. Operating expenses and administrative expenses are reported in different locations within the monthly WINS Claim.
Operating expenses are expenses incurred to prepare and serve CACFP meals to eligible participants.
Administrative expenses are expenses incurred for planning, organizing, and managing the CACFP. Please refer to the CACFP Monthly Financial Reporting & Submitting Monthly Claims information sheet for assistance with submitting monthly CACFP claims accurately.
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Expense Type
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Description
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Examples
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Report in WINS
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Operating Expenses
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Expenses incurred to prepare and serve CACFP meals to eligible participants
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Food, food service labor, nonfood supplies, food service equipment
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On the sponsor level claim
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Administrative Expenses
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Expenses incurred for planning, organizing, and managing the CACFP
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Labor for time spent on CACFP duties (recordkeeping, monitoring, claim review & submission, providing training, program oversight/monitoring)
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On the WINS Claims Tab - CACFP Administrative Costs tab
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