5/18/26 S.S.T.A.R. - School Meal Programs Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 05/19/2026 08:17 AM PDT

School Meal Programs S.S.T.A.R.: Week of May 18, 2026

Update: Announcing the 2026 Rooted in Excellence Awards
Update: Summer EBT Outreach Materials
Update: Reducing Waste in Schools — Community of Practice
Farm to School Corner
Resource Round Up
Important Dates to Remember

Update: Announcing the 2026 Rooted in Excellence Awards

As part of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Fiscal Year 2024 Team Nutrition Grant, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) launched a new award program called Rooted in Excellence to recognize outstanding Washington school nutrition programs. This year we’re proud to recognize 21 awardees across the state who are leading with creativity, care, and strong community connection.

Check out this video celebrating the award recipients

Breakfast Excellence

Aberdeen
Republic

Culturally Inclusive Meals

Bellevue
Dieringer
Ellensburg
Franklin Pierce
Issaquah
Lake Washington
Northshore
Pinnacles Prep

Upcoming OSPI Trainings

School Meal Programs Annual Training

August 5, 6 & 13

Register

School Meals Monthly Webinar

Next: June 4

Time: 2–3 pm

Register

Farm to School

Inchelium
Selkirk

Scratch Cooking

Griffin
Vancouver

Marketing and Promotion

Everett
Valley
West Valley - Yakima

Nutrition Education

Darrington
Manson
Steilacoom Historical

Partnerships and Engagement

Highline

Update: Summer EBT Outreach Materials

Since most families are enrolled in SUN Bucks automatically, many families will not know about the benefit. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) can use these three resources to share information with families.

#1 Include this message in family newsletters

SUN Bucks cards arrive in June!

Eligible students receive $120 for groceries during the summer.
Most eligible students are automatically enrolled in SUN Bucks. Look for your approval letter and new SUN Bucks card in the mail in early summer.
Need to update your address? Contact the SUN Bucks Call Center at 833-543-3230 or TTY 800-833-6384.
Get additional benefits by using your SUN Bucks card at farmers markets and grocery stores that participate in SNAP Market Match and SNAP Produce Match.
If you did not receive a SUN Bucks card, you can still apply during the summer at sunbucks.dshs.wa.gov.

#2: Print or order SUN Bucks flyers to share with families

#3: Guide families to the DSHS website and call center

Washington SUN Bucks | DSHS for general questions about SUN Bucks eligibility.
SUN Bucks Call Center at 833-543-3230 or TTY 800-833-6384 for specific questions about a student’s benefit status or address updates.

Update: Reducing Waste in Schools — Community of Practice

Understanding the Organics Management Laws Requirements for Schools

Date: May 28
Time: 10–11:30 am

Which LEAs are required to comply with Washington's Organics Management Laws? Join the Department of Ecology webinar on May 28 to find out and learn what the Organics Management Laws mean for LEAs. The Department of Ecology's Organics Team will provide information about how these laws affect schools in Business Organics Management Areas (BOMAs) and Organics Recycling Collection Areas (ORCAs).

Participants will learn:

How to identify if a school is required to comply with the Organics Management Laws.
What schools must do to comply with the law.
What resources are available to help LEAs plan and adapt.

Register

Farm to School Corner

Harvest of the Month

Harvest of the Month resource sheets help LEAs feature seasonal, Washington-grown foods. June's Harvest of the Month is green beans. Each sheet includes fun facts, nutrition highlights, selection and storage tips, recipe ideas, and classroom/cafeteria activities.

Access the green beans resource sheet on the Farm to School webpage under the "Harvest of the Month" drop-down menu. Other local food items can be featured if green beans aren't available. Check out past Harvest of the Month resource pages on the OSPI Farm to School webpage under the "Harvest of the Month" drop-down menu. What local item will you feature this month?

For support sourcing Harvest of the Month items, email farmtocnp@k12.wa.us.

Resource Round Up

National Farm to School Network (NFSN) Partner Network Map - view the new interactive map and database with the full list of 500+ partner organizations

NFSN – National School Garden Map – SGSO Network - view school garden data.

Use the map to:

Find other school gardens to collaborate with
Use the data to leverage support for your school garden
Help school administrators, parents, staff, and local volunteers know where student gardens are growing
Identify gaps in access and focus on outreach and implementation

Important Dates to Remember

June 4

School Meals Monthly Webinar | 2 pm

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.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.