Child Nutrition

Child Nutrition Newsletters

School Meals and Food Distribution Program Updates

Program information and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies are sent to program sponsors throughout the year in the form of email updates and OSPI bulletins. There are two ways to be signed up to receive updates from CNS.

There are two ways to be signed up to receive updates from CNS.

  1. Mandatory List: USDA requires CNS to share mandatory information to program sponsors. If you are listed as the program contact in the WINS Application you will receive weekly updates.
  2. Self-Subscribe List: You can manage the updates you receive by editing your subscription preferences. Additionally, you can receive updates for any program, even though you may not be listed in the WINS sponsor application.

2024

March 

  • Week of March 11
    • Update: House Bill 1238 – Meals for Washington Students Eligibility List for 2024–25
    • Update: BAB Requirements & Implementation Plan
    • Update: Income Eligibility Guidelines (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) Now Available!
    • Update: NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant Applications Close This Month
    • Farm to School Corner: Harvest of the Month
    • Farm to School Corner: WSDA Updates
    • Farm to School Corner: Grant Opportunities
    • FYI: Fiscal Staff Limited Availability on March 15
    • Important Dates to Remember

February

  • Week of February 26 - CNS Special Update: Farm to School
  • Week of February 26 - CNS Special Update: Area Eligibility Report
  • Week of February 21 - CNS Special Update: USDA Shelf Stable Milk
  • Week of February 12
    • Update: Summer EBT is Launching in Summer 2024!
    • Update: Supporting the Use of Traditional Indigenous Foods Grant Opportunity
    • Update: USDA Community Eligibility Provision Webinar and Policy Guidance
    • Update: Local Food for Schools (LFS) in Action & Pre-Order Survey
    • Reminder: Join the School Meal Programs Monthly Webinar
    • FYI: Celebrate National School Breakfast Week March 4–8!
    • Farm to School Corner: Harvest of the Month – Wheat
    • Farm to School Corner: WSDA Updates
    • Farm to School Corner: Apply Now! 2024–25 EcoTrust Oregon & Washington Farm to School Institute Application is LIVE!
    • FDP Corner: March Order Period Closes Wednesday!
    • FDP Corner: 2024–25 School Year Pre-Order Process Open Until March 1!
    • FDP Corner: Questions About the Pre-Order? Join Us for Open Office Hours!
    • Important Dates to Remember

January

  • Week of January 8
      • Action Item: Complete the Verification Summary Report in WINS by February
      • Action Item: SY 2023–24 School Meal Programs Annual Requirements
      • Update: USDA Program Integrity Final Rule & Policy Guidance
      • Update: Applying for the Breakfast Meals for Kids Grant? Make Sure Your Application is Submitted On Time
      • Reminder: Opt in for Supply Chain Assistance Funds Round 4 by January 8
      • Reminder: Join the School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars
      • Farm to School Corner: Harvest of the Month – Yogurt
      • FDP Corner: Complete Your SY 2024–25 USDA Foods Interest Survey!
      • FDP Corner: Register for Pre-Order Process Webinar on 1/23!
      • Important Dates to Remember

2023

December

  • Week of December 11
    • Action Item: Register to Attend the USDA Food Show and Taste Test
    • Update: Breakfast Meals for Kids Grant Opens December 18!
    • Update: Revised USDA Policy Memos
    • Reminder: Join the School Meal Programs Monthly Webinar on January 4!
    • Reminder: Summer Program Requirements for Public School Districts
    • Farm to School Corner: December Harvest of the Month — Lentils
    • FDP Corner: USDA Foods Database & Product Information Sheet
    • Important Dates to Remember

November

  • Week of November 14
    • Action Item: October Claims Due November 15 and Include October Building Data
    • Update: CEP Final Rule
    • Update: Verification Summary Report Opens in WINS on November 16
    • Update: Plant Based School Meals Grant Now Open!
    • Update: Crediting Traditional Indigenous Foods in Child Nutrition Programs
    • Update: OSPI CNS Appeal Procedures
    • Update: CNS Accounting Codes Reference Sheet Updated
    • FYI: Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools Grant Closes November 30
    • FYI: Breakfast Meals for Kids Grant Opens Soon
    • FDP Corner: Inclement Weather and Emergency Closures During SY 23–24
    • Important Dates to Remember

October

  • Week of October 30
    • Action Item: SY 2023–24 School Meal Programs Annual Requirements
    • Update: Complete the Supply Chain Assistance Funds Survey
    • Update: Adding to Meals from Home
    • Update: Notify OSPI of Milk Shortages
    • Reminder: Join the School Meal Programs Monthly Webinar on November 2!
    • Highlight: Port Angeles School District Celebrates Taste Washington Day
    • FYI: Waste Not Washington School Awards
    • Farm to School Corner: The USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant FY2024 Program is Now Open!
    • Farm to School Corner: Harvest of the Month
    • FDP Corner: Storage Handling and Delivery Fee Schedule SY23–24
    • FDP Corner: Realtime Food Distribution Updates
    • Important Dates to Remember

  • Special Update: Flexibilities During Milk Shortages

 

September

  • Week of September 25
    • Update: OSPI's Website Address has Changed!
    • Update: October is Farm to School Month! How Will You Celebrate?
    • Update: Third Round of Supply Chain Assistance Funding Distributed
    • Update: FFVP Annual Training Course is Now Available in Canvas!
    • Update: Claims for Reimbursement School Year 2023–24
    • FYI: New Fiscal Inbox!
    • Farm to School Corner: WSDA Farm to School Purchasing Grant Applications Extended!
    • Farm to School Corner: Harvest of the Month
    • FDP Corner: Save the Date – USDA Foods Show!
    • FDP Corner: USDA Foods Database
    • FDP Corner: Delivery Discrepancy Information
    • FDP Corner: Current Shortages
    • Important Dates to Remember

August

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April

March

February

January

2022

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April

March

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2021

December

November

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2020

December

November

October

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.

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