7/20/26 Child Nutrition Services Special Update

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 07/20/2026 03:35 PM PDT

Child Nutrition Services Special Update: July 20, 2026

Action Item: Fiscal Year 2027 CACFP Renewal is Open
Action Item: Complete Annual Training Prior to FY 27 Renewal
Update: Attend CACFP Budget Office Hours

Action Item: Fiscal Year 2027 CACFP Renewal is Open

The Washington Integrated Nutrition System (WINS) is open for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) renewal. Renewal applications are due Tuesday, September 1.

Application Reminders

All costs, including food, require prior approval before the cost is incurred. All Sponsors must submit their budget and get it approved before September 30. It takes up to 30 days to process and approve a complete application. Note, LEAs are exempt from budget submission.
Sponsors that submit an application for approval past the September 1 deadline may not be approved in time to receive reimbursement for meals served during October 2026.
Sponsors with a gap in CACFP operation of a year or longer must reapply to operate CACFP.

Use these resources to assist you with FY 27 annual renewal:

CACFP Checklist-Preparing to Complete Annual Renewal Application
WINS Renewal Instructions-CACFP
FY 27 Application and Renewal Reference Sheet
Child and Adult Care Food Program FY 27 Renewal Bulletin—Coming Soon!

For more information on annual renewal requirements and timeline, refer to the Action Item: FY 27 Renewal Opens July 15! article from the June 1 C.A.R.E.

Questions? Contact your CACFP Specialist

Action Item: Complete Annual Training Prior to FY 27 Renewal

CACFP sponsors must certify completion of all training requirements when submitting the sponsor application in WINS during program renewal. Fiscal Year 2026–27 (FY 27) renewal applications will not be approved until the appropriate person has attended all required training.

All FY 27 required trainings are available in a virtual, self-paced format. Depending on sponsor type, two to three courses may be required. Plan accordingly; some courses may take up to four hours to complete.

Use the CACFP FY 27 Annual Training Checklist as a guide to complete training requirements. For more details on annual training requirements, refer to the Action Item: Complete Annual Training Prior to FY27 Renewal article from the June 1 C.A.R.E. newsletter.

Update: Attend CACFP Budget Office Hours

Need help with your CACFP budget? Attend CACFP office hours this summer!

Except for Local Education Agencies (LEAs), all sponsors are required to complete a budget in WINS during FY 27 annual renewal. Office hours are available to assist sponsors with budget questions. These are drop-in, virtual sessions where sponsors and their fiscal teams can speak directly with a CACFP Budget Specialist.

Office Hours are recommended for:

Administrative staff new to WINS budgeting
Sponsors with unique circumstances pertaining to goods/services
Sponsors with general budget questions
Independent sponsors (one site location).
- Note: Independent Sponsors have not been required to submit a budget with annual renewal in the past several years, but they are required to submit a budget with FY 27 renewal.

Important Reminder and Resources

Meals cannot be claimed until the CACFP budget is approved.
Budgets will not be retroactively approved.
CACFP Allowable Costs Reference Sheet
CACFP Budget Reference Sheet

Budget Office Hours Schedule

Thursday, July 23 | 8–10 am | Join Office Hours
Friday, July 24 | 2–4 pm | Join Office Hours
Monday, July 27 | 1–2 pm | Join Office Hours
Monday, July 27 | 3:30–5 pm | Join Office Hours
Tuesday, August 4 | 8:30–10 am | Join Office Hours
Tuesday, August 4 | 3:30–5 pm | Join Office Hours
Friday, August 7 | 10–11:30 am | Join Office Hours
Friday, August 7 | 4–5 pm | Join Office Hours
Monday, August 17 | 2–3 pm | Join Office Hours
Tuesday, August 18 | 11:30 am–1 pm | Join Office Hours
Friday, August 28 | 1–2:30 pm | Join Office Hours

For detailed questions or special approvals, contact Samantha Evans, Budget Specialist.

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.