Due to the ongoing fight to reduce the impacts of COVID-19, the budget impacts of the pandemic, and the recent directive by Governor Inslee to reduce employee work hours as a cost savings measure, OSPI is closed and all staff are on mandatory furlough today. Employees will respond to inquiries as quickly as possible when the agency reopens on July 14.
See OSPI’s COVID-19 guidance and resources for educators, students, and families.
CNS administers Child Nutrition Programs through the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) promotes the health and well-being of children by providing nutritious meals to children. Public school districts, private schools, residential child care institutions (RCCIs) and Charter Schools may participate in school meal programs.
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) operates in the same manner as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Public or nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions may participate in the SBP.
The Afterschool Snack Program provides an afternoon snack to children that attend a supervised, educational or enrichment activity sponsored or operated by a Local Education Agency (LEA) that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Individual sites or schools may participate in the Afterschool Snack Program.
The At-Risk Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) offers Federal funding to afterschool programs that serve a meal or snack and provide educational or enrichment activities to children in low-income areas.
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all enrolled students in participating elementary schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day—separate from the lunch or breakfast meal. The program’s main goal is to combat childhood obesity by helping students learn more about healthful eating habits.
The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) offers a streamlined approach to LEA’s already participating in NSLP and offers meals to summer school students as well as community children.
The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in nonprofit schools who do not participate in other Child Nutrition programs. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs may also participate in the Special Milk Program to provide milk to children in half-day pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs where children do not have access to the school meal programs.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.