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October Building Data (OBD): Report OBD on the October claim for reimbursement by December 30.
- All School Meal Programs sponsors, including those operating the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), or Special Milk Program (SMP), must report OBD. OBD documents the number of enrolled children eligible for free, reduced-price, and paid meals who traditionally have access to meals in the NSLP, SBP, or SMP.
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Onsite School Reviews: All NSLP sites and half of SBP sites must be reviewed annually by February 1. Use the On-Site Review form.
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Food Storage Evaluation: Complete by February 1. Review the Storage Facility Review Reference Sheet for additional details.
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Food Safety Inspections: Two food safety inspections by the local health jurisdiction are required for each site, each school year. If two inspections are not conducted, document a written request for two inspections to the local health department.
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Civil Rights Training: Required annually for all staff who work in USDA Child Nutrition Programs. Training must include the organization’s civil rights requirements and procedures and meet the training requirements outlined in the School Meal Programs Canvas course.
Keep forms on file for Administrative Reviews. Completed forms do not need to be submitted to OSPI.
Reminder
Questions? Contact the School Meals team.
Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, is a grocery benefit program to help families buy food during the summer. LEAs play an important role in identifying eligible students.
Summer EBT Training in Canvas is open now! This training aims to help LEAs understand their role in Summer EBT. All Summer EBT points of contact should sign up for the self-paced training and complete the “Fall” section of the training in October.
If a division other than school food service compiles the student upload, please share this training with them.
Additional sections will be added each season to support LEAs in completing Summer EBT tasks throughout the year.
Enroll in the Summer EBT Training. If you don't yet have a Canvas account in our system, you will be asked to create one when you enroll in the course.
After enrolling, the course can be accessed here: Summer EBT Training.
Questions? Contact the Summer EBT team.
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USDA published the Simplified Geographic Preference Procurement in Child Nutrition Programs, a direct final rule to simplify geographic preference procurement language across Child Nutrition Programs, including NSLP, SBP, CACFP, SFSP, and SMP. In addition, the USDA released SP 11-2026, CACFP 05-2026, SFSP 05-2026 to provide additional information on the direct final rule.
The direct final rule is intended to make the regulations easier to understand and use, while maintaining existing requirements and flexibilities.
It does not change how geographic preference is implemented. Instead, the direct final rule clarifies existing options that allow program operators to give preference to locally grown, raised, or caught unprocessed agricultural products when purchasing food. The rule is scheduled to take effect November 9, unless adverse comments are received by October 9.
Important Requirements and Information
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All sponsors contracting with a Food Service Management Company (FSMC) are now required to attend a virtual training on December 2. Registration information is provided below.
- Sponsors contracting with FSMCs and/or vendors for program year 2026–27 must complete the FSMC/Vendor Fact Sheet in WINS. The fact sheet must be submitted and approved before the first claim is entered in WINS, or the claim will go into error status.
- Sponsors who contract with FSMCs must maintain signature authority over reimbursement claims in WINS. FSMC employees may prepare the claims and provide supporting data, but sponsor staff must review, approve, and submit the claims for reimbursement in WINS per 7 CFR 210.16(a)(5).
- LEAs contracting with an FSMC must retain control of the quality, extent, and general nature of food service and ensure that the food service operation conforms with the School Food Authority's (SFA’s) contract with the FSMC. SP 05-2020 clarifies that a school district employee must fulfill the role of the Food Service Director (FSD) and thus meet the hiring standards and training requirements for Professional Standards outlined in 7 CFR 210.30.
- The FSMC Contract Monitoring Reference Sheet has more information on oversight requirements for sponsors contracting with FSMCs.
Sponsors that contract with an FSMC must attend this webinar to review FSMC contracting requirements.
Date: December 2
Time: 2 – 3 pm
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As the new school year begins, review these important reminders for submitting August and September meal claims in WINS.
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August Operating Days
- If the district had more than 10 operating days in August, a separate August claim is required.
- A separate claim may also be needed if the school operated NSLP or SBP for summer school in August.
- If the school had fewer than 10 operating days, include those August meal counts in the September claim instead.
- WINS will not allow a separate August claim to be filed in this case.
Enrollment Data Reminder
- For August and September claims, WINS uses OBD from the previous school year because current-year enrollment data isn't submitted until the October claim.
What if There’s an Error?
- If meal claims exceed enrollment-based limits, WINS will flag an error.
- Entering updated enrollment data is allowed, and WINS will verify it using an edit check.
Questions? Contact CNS Fiscal Services.
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Program operators offering the NSLP and SBP during SY 2026–27 are encouraged to join OSPI for monthly webinars.
OSPI discusses annual program requirements, new policy guidance, important reminders, Summer-EBT uploads, and provides an opportunity to ask questions.
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Next Webinar: November 5
Time: 2–3 pm
Please note: Register once to receive updates and reminders for each webinar.
Other Training Opportunities
Basics of Operating the School Meal Programs Training
This virtual, two-part training is designed for individuals in a food service director or menu planner role. This training focuses on the basics of operating a successful school meal program, including meal pattern, menu planning, using USDA Foods, and implementing an accurate point-of-service meal counting system. This is a hands-on, interactive session that provides opportunities to network and share best practices.
Participants must register for and attend both days.
Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians: The CPE activity application for Basics of Operating School Meal Programs (live format) is pending Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) review and approval for 5.5 CPEUs.
Date: October 28 and November 4
Time: 1–4 pm
Additionally, self-paced, on-demand trainings on program requirements, such as meal pattern, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and Meals for Washington Students (HB 1238), Verification, and Meal Counting and Claiming are available on the School Meal Programs Canvas Course. Please note, a Canvas account is required to access these trainings
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