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OSPI encourages all sponsors to review the materials, complete required tasks early, and attend the Summer Meals Summit to prepare for a successful summer meal service season. Review the tiered SFSP deadline requirements for information about when to submit an application. SSO applications are due by June 1.
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Application materials due April 15 for New Sponsors and/or Sponsors with Operational Problems
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Application materials due May 1 for Returning Sponsors that are new to Rural Non-Congregate
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Application materials due May 15 for Returning Sponsors with first date of operations between June 1–15
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Application materials due June 1 for Returning Sponsors with first date of operations after June 15 and for all School Food Authorities operating SSO
OSPI looks forward to serving kids with sponsors this summer!
Questions? Contact the Summer Meals inbox.
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The Summer Meals team is excited to introduce the 2026 SFSP Canvas trainings!
This year, Returning Sponsor and New Sponsor trainings are separate courses. Enroll in the course that applies to you.
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New Sponsor Training
This training is appropriate for sponsors who are new to SFSP, had a gap in service or did not operate in 2025, have new lead SFSP administration, and/or had significant operational findings on their 2025 SFSP Annual Review. 2026 SFSP New Sponsor Training Canvas course
Returning Sponsor Training
This training is appropriate for sponsors who operated SFSP in 2025 without new SFSP administration, and who did not have significant operational findings during their 2025 SFSP Annual Review. 2026 SFSP Returning Sponsor Training Canvas course
If you already have a Canvas account, log in with your existing credentials. If you cannot access your account, visit https://waesd.instructure.com/ and select “Forgot password?” If you do not receive a reset email, contact Ben Brown at ben.brown@k12.wa.us.
If you have any questions about which course is appropriate for you, contact your SFSP Specialist or summermeals@k12.wa.us.
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Apply by Monday, March 31, 5 pm PT
The Washington State Legislature has provided $100,000 for the Summer Meals for Kids Grant, a competitive funding opportunity for existing SFSP sponsors in good standing.
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Priority Considerations for Summer 2026:
- Expand the number of sites or expand the reach of existing SFSP meal distribution programs
- Increase the number of meals served at current sites
- Support promotion and outreach, including Washington’s Farm-to-Summer Week and/or supporting the Summer Crunch!
- Improve meal quality or purchase small equipment or supplies to expand program operations
- Programs that have never received a grant from OSPI CNS
Examples of Past Awards:
- Marketing materials: vehicle wraps, billboards, stickers, door hangers, or printed materials
- Meal delivery vans, buses, or food trucks
- Portable plug-in coolers or hand-washing stations
- Gardening equipment and supplies for meal site gardens or nutrition education
Ready to apply? Please see our Child Nutrition Grant Page for application materials
Questions? Please email the CNS Grants team.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released SP 02-2026, CACFP 01-2026, SFSP 01-2026: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 – Eat Real Food. This policy memo is guidance only and does not create new requirements. The memo explains how the updated Dietary Guidelines apply to Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
USDA is actively developing a proposed rule to update Child Nutrition Program standards and meal pattern requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to align with the goals of the updated Dietary Guidelines. Until a final rule implementing changes to meal pattern requirements is complete, all operators should continue meeting current program requirements.
Questions? Contact your SFSP Program Specialist or email the Summer Meals inbox.
OSPI Procurement Reference Sheets and Templates are now available on the Procurement page under the "Reference Sheets" drop down.
This project represents a strong collaboration between OSPI and Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to provide clear, practical, and accessible procurement guidance to better support sponsors across child nutrition programs.
The following OSPI Reference Sheets were added/updated:
These resources are designed to:
- Clarify federal and state procurement requirements
- Strengthen compliant purchasing practices
- Provide practical templates to streamline documentation
- Support the use of geographic preference and Washington-grown products when applicable
Together, these tools are intended to serve as a clear and reliable resource for sponsors navigating procurement processes. We encourage sponsors to review the updated sheets and begin integrating them into their procurement practices.
OSPI has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) RFP 2026-19 to support federally required monitoring of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) during the 2026 summer operating season (June–September).
OSPI is seeking qualified organizations with experience in USDA child nutrition programs and food service operations to conduct on-site SFSP food service reviews across Washington State. These reviews, required under 7 CFR Part 225.7, ensure compliance with operational and administrative requirements.
Proposals are due March 27 at 2 pm PT.
Interested organizations are encouraged to review the full RFP for complete scope, qualifications, and submission instructions. For more information, please review OSPI’s competitive procurement page.
The official agenda for the upcoming Summer Summits is now available!
This year’s agenda reflects timely priorities and collaborative learning opportunities to help sponsors prepare for a strong summer season across all Summer Meals programs.
What to Expect
- OSPI sponsor training sessions to support compliance and program integrity
- Discussion about S-EBT implementation and support for families
- Key updates impacting all Summer Meals programs
- Best practices elevated by United Way of King County (UWKC)
The Summer Summits are designed to provide practical information, space for peer learning, and shared problem-solving in preparation for the upcoming operating season.
Attendees should review the agenda in advance and plan for sessions that best meet program needs.
Agenda at a Glance:
8-8:30am - Check In & Breakfast
8:30-10am - Opening Plenary & Workshop
10:10-11am - Education Block 1
11:10-12pm - Education Block 2
12-12:50pm - Lunch
12:50-2pm - Regional Networking Activities | Outreach and Marketing
2:10-3pm - Education Block 3
3:10-3:25pm - Close Out
3:25-4:30pm - Facilitated Office Hours
Education Block Topics:
- Meal Pattern: Portions & Components
- Rights, Reviews & Reporting: Mastering Civil Rights Compliance
- Monitoring Made Manageable
- SUN Bucks Overview
- SUN Bucks 201
- Summer Food 101
- Building Blocks of a Rural Non-Congregate Site
- Maximizing Participation at Your Meal Sites
- Washington Service Successes
Facilitated Office Hours will include sponsor networking other sponsors, hands-on support from OSPI for completing the 2026 Summer Application, and support and resources from the UWKC team.
Registration Information
Tacoma - Greater Tacoma Convention Center
Date: March 10, 2026
Kennewick - Three Rivers Convention Center
Date: March 17
Travel Support May Be Available!
If you need to travel three or more hours to attend, travel support may be available from UWKC. Please complete this form to request travel support.
We look forward to connecting and learning together!
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March 5
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SFSP/SSO Kickoff | School Meals Monthly Webinar (SFAs only)
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March 10
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Summer Summit | Tacoma
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March 17
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Summer Summit | Kennewick
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2026 SFSP Applications Due: Tiered Deadlines
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April 15
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New Sponsors/Sponsors with Operational Problems
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May 1
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Returning Sponsors new to Rural Non-Congregate
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May 15
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Returning Sponsors with first date of operations between June 1-15
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June 1
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Returning Sponsors with first date of operations after June 15
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