Food Distribution Program C.A.R.E.: Week of April 6, 2026

• Update: USDA Direct Delivery (Commodities)
• Update: USDA Food Complaints
• Update: Washington ACES Launching August 2026!
• USDA Product of the Month
• Important Dates to Remember

Update: USDA Direct Delivery (Commodities)

May Order Period Open April 8–15

May orders open Wednesday, April 8 and close Wednesday, April 15 at 4 pm. 

Surplus orders open Thursday, April 16 according to the following schedule.

• 1 pm for groups 1 and 2
• 1:30 pm for group 3
• 2 pm for group 4 

See the Order and Delivery Schedule for group assignments.

Surplus closes Friday, April 17 at 4 pm.

Please remember to notify the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for delivery information updates.

If you have a new delivery contact person or delivery address change, please fill out the Delivery Updates Form.

USDA Food Complaints

• USDA Food Complaint Form
• USDA Foods Complaint Instructions

Resources

• Food Items Available for SY 2025-26
• Order and Delivery Schedule 2025-26
• Storage, Handling, and Delivery Fee Schedule 2025-26
• Pick List Report Instructions
• Delivery Checklist
• Delivery Discrepancy Instructions

Update: USDA Food Complaints

What happens if foreign material is discovered in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods?

Most critically, do not discard the item. Preserving it is essential for a thorough investigation.

Sponsors should report the findings to the OSPI Food Distribution Program (FDP) using the USDA Foods Complaint Form.

Reporting Tips

• Photograph the item next to a ruler to determine size and scale.
• Photograph the case information to aid in order and lot identification. When (what month) was this case received from OSPI?
• Retain the foreign object. The vendor may send a label to mail it back for examination.
• Note the details:
  • Date the object was discovered.
  • Who (kitchen staff, student, etc.) discovered it.
  • Where the object was found (e.g., preparing food, on a lunch tray).
  • Whether there is any remaining product, where is it located, and the quantity remaining.
  • Injuries resulting from foreign object.

Submit Forms

• USDA Food Complaint Form
• USDA Foods Complaint Instructions

Questions?

Please contact Food Distribution Program at 360-725-6204. The completed form and photos may be emailed to the OSPI Food Distribution Program.

Upcoming Trainings

Final Rule Workshops: New Added Sugars and Sodium Weekly Limits

Mead

Date: April 29
Time: 9 am–4 pm

Richland

Date: April 30
Time: 9 am–4 pm

Marysville

Date: May 6
Time: 9 am–4 pm

Ellensburg

Date: May 8
Time: 9 am–4 pm

Vancouver

Date: May 13
Time: 9 am–4 pm

Tumwater

Date: May 14
Time: 9 am–4 pm

School Year 2025–26 School Meal Program Monthly Webinar Series

Monthly, September through June.

Time: 2–3 pm

Update: Washington ACES Launching August 2026!

Have you heard? A new food ordering system is launching for school year (SY) 2026–27! In August, the Washington Allocation and Commodity Entitlement System (W-ACES) will go live, replacing CNPweb as Washington’s Food Distribution Management System.

Look for the W-ACES banner in each month’s C.A.R.E. newsletter for updates, Q&A, feature highlights, and training opportunities.

What can you look forward to in W-ACES?

When you confirm your September delivery in August, you will find familiar and intuitive workflows with a modern feel and new features.

• W-ACES provides real-time visibility of total entitlement allocations, committed amounts, and remaining balances, allowing you to see entitlement impacts before orders are submitted.
• W-ACES streamlines the Food Interest Survey, Pre-Order Allocation Forecast, and monthly ordering in one system, supporting more automation and reducing manual tasks. *For SY 2026–27, your Pre-order Allocation information from CNPweb will be auto-populated in W-ACES.
• A built-in knowledge base offers on-demand how-to guidance and videos, available with just a click when you need them.

Why is CNPweb retiring? CNPweb was purchased and implemented in the early 2000’s to manage food distribution and administer the USDA Foods in Schools program. Over the last two decades, program requirements and processes have changed. The system can no longer be updated to meet the changing needs of the program. Support from USDA technology grants provided the opportunity to procure a modern system that meets current needs while remaining flexible for future updates and configurations.

Coming Up Next Month!

The May C.A.R.E. newsletter will offer a preview with W-ACES screenshots and information about the training and support to prepare for the launch and beyond.

USDA Product of the Month

For April, we’re spotlighting USDA Foods item 110394 Tortillas, Whole Grain/Whole Grain-Rich.     Product Description This item is 8-inch wheat tortillas that are made from whole wheat flour or a combination of whole wheat and enriched wheat flour. This product is delivered frozen in cases containing twelve packages, each with 24 tortillas.

Culinary Tips and Recipes   Whole grain tortillas can be used for deli wraps, burritos, and quesadillas. Whole grain tortillas can also be cut up and baked to make a crunchy topping for soup or salad or a baked chip for dipping. For culinary techniques and recipe ideas, visit the Institute of Child Nutrition or USDA’s Team Nutrition.

USDA Product Information Sheets provide basic product information, and the USDA Foods Database provides vendor-specific nutrition, allergen, and ingredient information.

USDA Products in Action

Bellingham Public Schools serve two tortillas at middle and high school with a robust taco-spread salad bar and condiment station to really spruce them up.     Questions? Email Sarah Davis or call 360-725-6215.

Important Dates to Remember