4/6/26 C.A.R.E. - Summer Food Service Program Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 04/07/2026 09:13 AM PDT

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

Update: Summer Food Service Program Office Hours
Update: Rural Pocket Waiver
Update: Adding New Sites? Start Here!
Update: First SFSP Application Deadline is April 15
Update: Resources Available for Promoting Summer Meals
Update: USDA Policy Guidance
Important Dates to Remember

Update: Summer Food Service Program Office Hours

As Summer Meals sponsors gear up for another impactful summer, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is excited to offer a series of office hours designed with sponsors in mind.

In these sessions, sponsors can connect with OSPI staff and other sponsors, ask questions, and receive real-time technical assistance. For those navigating program requirements, troubleshooting a challenge, or just looking for a quick double-check, OSPI can provide support.

What to Expect

General office hours for broad program support
Content-specific sessions focused on key topics like rural non-congregate, meal patterns, and monitoring

Office Hours Schedule

April 7 | 3–4:30 PM, Meal Pattern Focus (Led by Adriana) Join here
April 15 | 1–2:30 PM, General SFSP Office Hours (Led by Cassandra) Join here
April 20 | 1:30–3 PM, General SFSP Office Hours (Led by Adriana) Join here
April 29 | 1–2:30 PM, General SFSP Office Hours (Led by Cassandra) Join here
May 6 | 2–3:30 PM, S-EBT Focus (Led by Joe and Noa Kay) Join here
May 12 | 2–3:30 PM, Monitoring Focus (Led by Joe) Join here
May 19 | 3–4:30 PM, General SFSP Office Hours (Led by Adriana) Join here
May 26 | 2–3:30 PM, General SFSP Office Hours (Led by Joe) Join here

OSPI is looking forward to connecting with you, supporting your work, and helping make this summer a success.

Questions about applications for the Seamless Summer Option (SSO)? Contact your School Meals Program Specialist.

Update: Rural Pocket Waiver

This summer, SFSP and SSO sponsors may request a rural pocket waiver. This waiver allows sites not located in rural areas to operate rural non-congregate service if the site is rural in nature or predominantly serves rural participants who would not otherwise have access to summer meals. Each proposed site must be reviewed and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Sponsors should submit these requests as soon as possible. Only sites approved by USDA to operate non-congregate service under the waiver should be added as non-congregate sites in SFSP or SSO applications. To request a rural pocket waiver, complete the Summer Meals Waiver Request Form. If additional waivers become available, they will be added to this form.

Questions? Contact your SFSP/SSO Program Specialist.

Update: Adding New Sites? Start Here!

Thinking about expanding the SFSP program this summer? There are tools to help with the process. Before adding any new site, review these area eligibility resources on the OSPI website. These tools will help determine if a site qualifies and ensure it is set up correctly from the start.

Before adding a site in WINS all sponsors should review the required documentation described on the Site Addition Request Reference Sheet and send it to their assigned specialist. This helps provide timely guidance and avoid delays.

If you’re considering a Rural Non-Congregate site, review the dedicated resources on the SFSP Requirements and Materials page. Note the earlier application deadline of May 1 for sponsors new to rural non-congregate operations.

Questions? Contact your SFSP Program Specialist or join office hours.

Update: First SFSP Application Deadline is April 15

April 15 is the first deadline for SFSP applications for:

New sponsors operating the program for the first time.
Sponsors returning after a gap in service.
Returning sponsors who were identified as having operational challenges last year.

Sponsors with operational challenges in 2-25 were notified in their 2025 Administrative Review Final Letter of the April 15 application deadline.

Submitting an application by April 15 ensures there is adequate time for review, feedback, and approval ahead of program start dates.

Review the tiered application deadlines to confirm your required submission timeline.

April 15	New sponsors/sponsors with operational problems
May 1	Returning sponsors new to Rural Non-Congregate
May 15	Returning sponsors with first date of operation between June 1-15
June 1	Returning sponsors with first date of operation after June 15

Questions? Contact your SFSP Program Specialist or the summer meals inbox if you need support.

Update: Resources Available for Promoting Summer Meals

Free resources are available to promote Summer Meals to children in your community.

USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse Monday–Friday from 5am–5pm PT.
- 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) for English
- 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273) for Spanish
USDA Summer Meals Locator in English and Spanish.
Hunger Free Washington hosts a Summer Meals finder that is updated weekly throughout the summer.
Additional marketing materials can be found on the SFSP Requirements & Materials webpage under the "Promotional Materials" dropdown.
- Social media graphics
- Sample social media posts
- Print-ready flyers, banners, and stickers
Order free Summer Meals Outreach Materials through United Way of King County. Materials are shipped at no cost. Here’s what you can find:
- yard signs
- flyers
- stickers,
- bookmarks
- door hangers

Update: USDA Policy Guidance

Incorporating Local Beef into the Child Nutrition Programs

SP 03: 2026, CACFP 02-2026, SFSP 02-2026: Incorporating Local Beef into Child Nutrition Program Meals encourages Child Nutrition Program operators to incorporate locally raised beef into program meals when feasible. The memo does not add new requirements, but highlights existing flexibilities and provides resources on procurement, funding, food safety, and crediting. Please note that entitlement dollars cannot be used to purchase food outside the USDA Food Distribution Program.

2026 Appropriations Act: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

SP 05-2026, CACFP 03-2026, SFSP 03-2026 clarifies the impacts of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veteran Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.

Prohibition on the Use of Chicken and Seafood from China

Program funds may not be used to procure raw or processed poultry or seafood products imported into the United States from the People's Republic of China through September 30, 2026.

The USDA recently released new guidance that affect the Summer Food Service Program.

Modifying FNS Instruction 113-1

CRD 01-2026, announces the USDA's intention to modify FNS Instruction 113-1: Civil Rights Compliance and Enforcement – Nutrition Programs and Activities, and develop new guidance.

In the interim, civil rights and nondiscrimination laws and regulations remain in effect, along with related compliance and enforcement requirements. More information will be provided when it becomes available.

Questions? Contact your SFSP Program Specialist or email summermeals@k12.wa.us.

Important Dates to Remember

2026 SFSP Applications Due: Tiered Deadlines
April 15	New sponsors/sponsors with operational problems
May 1	Returning sponsors new to Rural Non-Congregate
May 15	Returning sponsors with first date of operations between June 1-15
June 1	Returning sponsors with first date of operations after June 15

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.