PFS Templates and Samples
- Meats/Meat Alternates (M/MA)
- Vegetables and Fruits
- Grains
- Multiple Component Foods
Program Operators
The Tips for Evaluating a Manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement webpage was updated to assist CNP operators with evaluating a manufacturer’s PFS. Program operators are encouraged to review information about manufacturer documentation, including Child Nutrition (CN) labels on the USDA’s website.
Questions? Contact your CACFP Specialist or email cacfp@k12.wa.us.
Sponsors of USDA Child Nutrition Programs enter into a permanent agreement at the time of their initial approval. This agreement stays in effect during subsequent years of approved program operation.
Per CFR 200.332(a)(1) it is required that the Child Nutrition Program federal fund pass-through agency (OSPI) send a formal federal award notification to fund recipients (sponsors) annually with their renewal approval notification.
FY 26 Federal Award Notification letters were sent with FY 25 FAIN numbers. Please note the correction below to the FAIN numbers. The only change in these numbers is the preceding 25, which has changed to 26.
 Updated Federal Award letters will not be issued. Please keep this C.A.R.E Update article along with your issued award letter with your Child Nutrition Program documentation.
We apologize for this inconvenience.
Resources:
Questions? Contact your program specialist.
The 2025–26 Area Eligibility Report is now available. This report has been updated as of January 30, 2026.
This report may be used to establish area eligibility for the CACFP, Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and the Afterschool Snack Program (ASP). Area eligibility may be assigned if school data indicates that the proposed meal site is located in an attendance area of a public school where at least 50% of the children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals.
The Area Eligibility in Child Nutrition Program Reference Sheet provides more details on area eligibility.
Data from this report is also used to determine eligibility for the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP), House Bill (HB) 1238 – Meals for Washington Students, and Breakfast After the Bell (BAB).
Questions? Contact your CACFP Specialist or email cacfp@k12.wa.us.
Ready to take your Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) skills to the next level?
Nutrition 201 is a new training designed for sponsors who are confident in their ability to operate the CACFP and are ready to deepen their understanding of CACFP requirements and practices. This training will answer complex questions sponsors face, dive deeper into culturally inclusive menu planning, and develop new tools to meet the needs of organizations and participants.
This session builds on the fundamentals presented in Recordkeeping and Nutrition 101 and is intended for experienced independent or multi-site sponsors operating childcare centers or At-Risk Afterschool programs.
Contact your CACFP Program Specialist for more information!
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 CACFP Week is right around the corner!
CACFP week is coming! To celebrate, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Child Nutrition Services is joining the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for its annual national education and information campaign. This campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the CACFP works to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for participants of childcare centers, adult day services and day care homes across the country.
This year, we're highlighting how the CACFP is "stirring up goodness" across the country with its positive impact and the people who make it happen, one meal at a time. Complete our 2026 CACFP Week Rooted in Excellence Award Survey to participate!
Complete the 2026 CACFP Week Rooted in Excellence Survey by February 24 to:
- Submit a nomination for a CACFP Rooted in Excellence Award
- Tell or show us what CACFP means to you and your participants
- Upload photos of your favorite CACFP meals, recipes or activities to be used in a celebration packet for your organization
**If your organization has received a CACFP Rooted in Excellence Nomination from your program specialist, you will be notified by OSPI. All complete submissions will receive a Rooted in Excellence celebration packet.
Another way to celebrate: Sign up to attend a free Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) in-person meal pattern training during CACFP week! (Offered in Olympia and Spokane)
- Spokane: Thursday, March 19
- Olympia: Saturday, March 21
For more details of this training and registration link, please refer to the 1/14 C.A.R.E. newsletter.
Registration closes March 14.
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CACFP renewal must be approved by March 31 for current fiscal year operation. This applies to all CACFP sponsor types (child care, at-risk, adult, emergency, HeadStart/ECEAP).
Sponsors who have not submitted claims yet this fiscal will be made inactive on April 1. Additionally, Sponsored sites that have no submitted claims will be made inactive April 1.
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What does this mean for Sponsors currently operating CACFP?
- New sites will not be approved after March 31 for FY 26 operation.
- New schedules added to site calendars will not be approved after March 31 for FY 26 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 2026–27 in August or September must be approved by March 31.
- Sites that have not been approved to operate CACFP by March 31 must wait until FY 27 renewal opens to apply for operation (Oct.-Sept.).
Reminder: CACFP fiscal year is October–September.
What if I am planning to operate CACFP at a new site between April-September?
If the new site has a current license and/or health and safety permit, there are enrolled participants, and you can complete the New Site Pre-Approval Form, then contact your Specialist to work through the approval process prior to March 31.
If the site does not have a current license and/or health and safety permit and there are no enrolled participants, you must wait until FY 27 renewal opens to apply for operation (Oct-Sept).
What if I am planning to expand CACFP operation at an existing site by adding new schedule(s) to an approved calendar between April-September?
Example: At-Risk operation is anticipated in August/September of the upcoming school year, but the current calendar is not approved for Fall operation.
If expanded operation is anticipated, revise your approved site’s calendar in WINS to submit a new schedule for approval prior to March 31.
Resources
CACFP Application and Renewal Reference Sheet
New Site Pre-Approval Form
Adding New CACFP Sites Reference Sheet
CACFP Preparing to Complete Renewal Checklist
USDA approved the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)’s statewide waiver request to allow local program operators to serve meals in a non-congregate setting to participants fasting during Ramadan in 2026. The waiver is available for CACFP operation of Emergency Shelters, Adult Day Care Centers, Outside School Hours Care Centers (OSHCC), and the At-risk Afterschool Meals.
For details of how to request this waiver, please refer to the 1/14/26 C.A.R.E. Update.
Effective: February 17–March 19, 2026
Questions? Contact your CACFP or School Meal Program Specialist.
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Child Nutrition Program sponsors are reimbursed for eligible meals and snacks. Claims are filed and processed electronically in the Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) monthly.
Monthly claims are due by the 15th of each month following the claim period. All claims entered into WINS and in “OK to Pay” status will process for payment at the end of the month. Claims left in “error status” will not process for payment.
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Claims data must be entered in WINS by 2 pm on the 15th of each month.
WINS will automatically log out all users from the system on the 15th of each month at exactly 2 pm PT. The system will not allow access to claims until after the monthly reconciliation process is complete. This can take up to two business days.
Didn't submit your claim by the 15th? That's okay! Submit your monthly claim by the 60-day deadline.
Best Practice: Give yourself enough time to input all claiming data, preview errors, and correct any errors. Completing these steps will help you ensure the claim is in “Ok to Pay” status or allow for adequate time to reach out to fiscal or program staff if assistance is needed.
Claiming Resources
Visit our Claims, Fiscal Information, and Resources webpage for essential tools and guidance. The Claims Reference Sheet provides key details, including updates and late-claim exceptions. The WINS Claim Status Guide offers solutions for common claim errors.
For any fiscal-related questions, including claims or grant payments, reach out to our Child Nutrition Services Fiscal Team via our shared inbox at CNSFiscalServices@k12.wa.us. We're here to help!
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