Child Nutrition Newsletters
School Meal Programs 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.
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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.
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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.
2026
March
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of March 16
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Update: School Wellness— Opportunities for National Recognition
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Update: Breakfast After the Bell Webinar
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Update: Provide a Window into Your Program with Great Photos
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Update: 2026 Spring Dairy West Power Up Pack Grant
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Farm to School Corner
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Important Dates to Remember
C.A.R.E.: Week of March 2
- Update: Meals for Washington Students Eligibility List for School Year 2026–27
- Update: BAB Required Schools Report
- Update: USDA Policy Memo on Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030
- Update: State Breakfast Assistance Rate for 2025–26
- Update: Final Rule Workshop: New Added Sugars and Sodium Weekly Limits
- Update: Procurement Resources Now Live
- Reminder: Next Summer EBT Upload
- Reminder: School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars and Other Training Opportunities
- Important Dates to Remember
February
CNS Special Update February 25
- Special Update: Summer EBT Upload Due February 27
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of February 16
- Sponsor Spotlight: Eatonville
- Sponsor Spotlight: Hood Canal
- FYI: Celebrate National School Breakfast Week March 2-6, 2026!
- Reminder: Last Chance to Apply for a Rooted in Excellence Award!
- Farm to School Corner
- Important Dates to Remember
CNS Special Update February 13
- Special Update: S-EBT 2026 Bulletin
C.A.R.E.: Week of February 2
- Action Required: Summer-EBT Portal Opens Soon!
- Update: Revised Product Formulation Statement (PFS) Templates and Samples
- Update: 2025–26 Washington Public School Data for Area Eligibility Report
- Reminder: Submit Report 1505 by February 20
- Reminder: Ramadan 2026 Waiver
- Reminder: School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars and Other Training Opportunities
- Important Dates to Remember
January
CNS Special Update: January 20
- Special Update: Guidance on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of January 20
- Sponsor Spotlight: Franklin Pierce School District
- Update: Applications Open — Rooted in Excellence Awards
- Update: Breakfast Meals for Kids Grant Awardees
- Update: Apply for the Behind the Tray Pilot Program
- Farm to School Corner
- Important Dates to Remember
C.A.R.E.: Week of January 14
- Action Required: Complete the Verification Summary Report by February 1
- Action Required: Report 1505 for School Districts with FSMCs
- Action Required: School Year 2025–26 School Meal Programs Annual Requirements
- Update: Ramadan 2026 Waiver
- Update: Summer EBT is Coming
- Update: CEDARS Comparison Report Now Available in Direct Certification Application
- Reminder: School Meal Programs Monthly Webinars and Other Training Opportunities
- Important Dates to Remember
2025
December
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of 12/15
12/12 Special Update: Important Correction: Operation During Emergency School Closures
12/11 Special Update: Operation During Emergency School Closures
C.A.R.E.: Week of December 1
November
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of November 17
C.A.R.E.: Week of November 3
October
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of October 20
C.A.R.E: Week of October 6
September
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of September 22
C.A.R.E.: Week of September 8
S.S.T.A.R: Week of September 3
August
CNS Special Update: August 29
- Special Update: Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Application Bulletin
C.A.R.E.: Week of August 18
July
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of July 28
C.A.R.E.: Week of July 14
June
CNS Special Update: June 27
- Update: Updated SY 2025–26 School Meal Programs Annual Training Schedule
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of June 23
CNS Special Update: June 16
- Notice: USDA Summer Meal Site Finder Experiencing Technical Issues for Washington State
- Update: New Summer Meal Program & Farm to Summer Toolkit Now Available!
C.A.R.E.: Week of June 9
CNS Special Update: June 5
- Update: Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2025–26
May
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of May 27
C.A.R.E.: Week of May 12
CNS Special Update: May 8
- Action Item: Public Schools — Submit March and April Claims by May 15!
CNS Special Update: May 5
- Upcoming Webinar: Rural Non-Congregate Summer Meals - Flexibilities & Best Practices
- Update: New Way to Find Meals - UWKC's Summer Text Line is Live!
April
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of April 28
C.A.R.E.: Week of April 14
CNS Special Update: April 11
- Update: SY 2025–26 CEP Eligibility Report — Now Available!
CNS Special Update: April 3
- Update: Clarification on CEP Requirements for 2025–26
March
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of March 24
CNS Special Update: March 24
- Update: Local Food for Schools and Local Food for Childcare
C.A.R.E.: Week of March 10
February
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of February 24
C.A.R.E.: Week of February 10
January
S.S.T.A.R.: Week of January 27
C.A.R.E.: Week of January 13
2024
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Week of December 9
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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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