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Oregon Child Nutrition Programs COVID-19 Response and Resources

This page contains the most recent information and resources available on how the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is affecting Child Nutrition Programs in Oregon.


Supply Chain Disruptions Update 7/29/21

ODE CNP is receiving reports of food distributors and suppliers in Oregon cancelling orders and deliveries, sometimes with little or no notice to the sponsor. The primary reason we are hearing is “due to labor shortages in their warehouse and delivery drivers".

ODE is providing sponsors with the following three resources to assist-

Non-competitive Procurement during Emergency

In response to such cases as mentioned above, School Food Authorities and Program Sponsors may use the regulatory authority found in Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200.320(c)(3) and ORS 279B.080, which allows operators to use the emergency noncompetitive proposal procurement method to negotiate a new one-year contract for school year 2021-2022. The situation described above is an appropriate time to utilize this provision as it is always available to operators if they determine that current emergency circumstances exist. More information can be found on the ODE CNP Procurement web page. 

Meal Pattern Flexibility Waiver Request

A meal pattern flexibility waiver is available to sponsors of the CACFP, NSLP and SSO due to supply disruptions, shortages, etc. To request, please click link below-

Oregon Meal Pattern Waiver Request Form (July 2021- June 2022)

Potential Vendors

ODE has compiled a list of vendors that may be able to provide services to you. If you are aware of other vendors, please notify ODE and we will add them to these lists-

Oregon DAS Price Agreement Vendors

Sysco Portland

Gold Star Foods Clackamas

US Foods Woodburn

Shamrock Boise

McDonald Wholesale


The ODE COVID-19 Food Resources page catalogs and links to each district's webpage with information about how they are feeding kids during COVID.

All Programs COVID Information

Memos, Q&A, Oregon and USDA Waivers
Nationwide Waivers

T​his image is a link and conveniently details all of the nationwide waivers and guidance issued to date by the USDA in response to the coronavirus. - No Kid Hungry (2019) Summary of COVID-19 Child Nutrition Programs Response Nationwide Waivers & Memos. Retrieved from: nokidhungry.org​

Waivers Pending Approval

USDA Foods
​USDA Foods (direct delivery, finished end products, and DoD Fresh Fruits & Vegetables) can and should be used.

April 29, 2020 - ODE USDA Foods COVID-19 Technical Assistance Sponsor Panel Webinar​ and Accompanying Q & As

Existing USDA Foods inventories can and should be utilized in your feeding operations. Many food distributors are reporting shortages of grab n go type food items. It may be more feasible to order in bulk and re-package. Re-packaging could be in baggies, pc cups, paper/plastic bags, etc. Hot f​oods may be packaged and served in grab n go situations. It is important to have instructions telling families that these items should be consumed within 2 hours or refrigerated to 41 degrees or below and then re-heated to 165 degrees when ready for consumption.

ODE has posted pictures of school district submitted photos of to-go options utilizing USDA Foods on the USDA Foods Best Practices ​web page. ODE has compiled a list of Grab-N-Go end products from USDA Foods processors. Existing USDA Foods inventory balances can be used while saving the school money during the COVID-19 crisis: List of available Grab-N-Go end products​

USDA Foods can be given to other sponsors or donated to the Oregon Food Bank/local food bank if the sponsor is unable to utilize. Many USDA Foods have extended shelf life, please keep this in mind before sharing or donating.

For questions related to USDA Foods, you can contact the following staff directly:

Integrity Plan Resources

The USDA Nationwide COVID-19 Response Waivers have allowed sponsors to provide meals via a variety of meal service styles and methods. In the last year, there have been many flexibilities applied to the Child Nutrition Program regulations; however, throughout this time, USDA has consistently emphasized the need for program integrity ensuring that participants receive only one meal, per meal type, per day. ODE CNP has encouraged sponsors to create integrity plans detailing the steps taken to ensure that duplicative meals are not served. ODE does not approve Integrity Plans. Each sponsor's plan should detail the process put in place to ensure that meals are distributed only to eligible participants or to parents or guardians of eligible participants and that duplicate meals are not distributed to any participant. While ODE CNP is not currently requiring sponsors to submit their integrity plans for approval, these policies and procedures may be requested by ODE CNP.

This section is meant to provide sponsors with real examples, from fellow sponsors, of integrity plans, as well as hybrid, in-person and distance learning meal services. The documents linked in this section have not been reviewed for completeness.  



Guiding Questions for creating an Integrity Plan:

Program-Specific Information

Some information may be duplicated across multiple programs depending on its relevance

School Nutrition Programs

For regulation and additional information, not related to operation during COVID-19, visit the SNP Webpage
Grant Opportunities

​GENYOUth, up to $3,000 for COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Equipment per School​

GENYOUth is providing grants of up to $3,000 per school to supply much-needed resources for meal distribution and delivery efforts to get food to students during COVID-19. From soft-sided coolers, bags, and containers for individual servings, to protective gear for food service sanitation and safety, this equipment will help ensure our children continue to receive the nutritious meals they need. Superintendents, Principals, Nutrition Directors, and Managers can complete the application. The funds are awarded on a rolling basis, so apply quickly. Look for the application PDF on the landing page to help you gather the information needed. Once you start the application, you will not be able to save it. If you have questions, please contact Crista (chawkins@odncouncil.org) or Erin (ehirte@odncouncil.org)

OEA Choice Trust

OEA Choice Trust is pleased to announce our School Employee Wellness (SEW) Grant opportunity.  This grant opportunity offers funds to Oregon public school districts, community colleges, and education service districts to promote and support the health, well-being, and resilience of public school employees. 

OEA Choice Trust is the only organization dedicated solely to workplace wellness for Oregon public school employees. Our vision is that all Oregon public school employees are healthy, resilient, and engaged as champions for healthy school environments and vital communities. As a result, they are fulfilled in their work, model well-being for students and are better equipped to foster student success.

OEA Choice Trust has a unique opportunity to assist in promoting the physical, emotional, and social well-being of school employees through the provision of grants. Our School Employee Wellness Grant Program is designed to allow school leaders and employees the flexibility to develop a locally tailored program to best meet the needs, goals, and priorities of their district and school staff.

OEA Choice Trust SEW Grant awards are a maximum of $100,000 to support the planning and implementation of sustainable school employee wellness programs that will be implemented within 5 years. This is a multiyear grant award and annual grant funding requests are limited to a maximum of $30,000 per grant year. If awarded, the first grant year is July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

Because of your expressed interest in school employee health and well-being, we have attached the Spring 2021 School Employee Wellness Grant Application and Scoring Rubric for your convenience.

To support both the planning of your school employee wellness initiative and development of your grant application, please review the following tools on the OEA Choice Trust website at https://oeachoice.com/wellness-resources/program-planning/

How to Apply

The official Spring 2021 Grant Application and Scoring Rubric can be found at http://oeachoice.com/grant-program/. To access the grant application:

  1. Go to http://oeachoice.com/grant-program/
  2. Click on Download the Grant Application
  3. Complete the form and click Submit
  4. Download the 2021 Grant Application (offered in Word and PDF formats) and the Grant Review Scoring Guide
Important Date: Application Deadline: May 6, 2021 

Please note: Grant applications received after May 6th will not be accepted.

Feel free to reach out to Asta Garmon at 503-741-9735 or asta@oeachoice.com with any questions or clarification needs!



NSLP and SSO Contacts

​Below are your contacts if you have not yet submitted an SFSP or SSO application or want more information:


Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) is part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT is money for buying food at home for students.  Oregon is sending P-EBT to families with eligible students this summer.  The grocery money is to make-up for meals students missed while school and childcare are closed part-time or full-time during the 2020-2021 school year.  You can still get "grab-and-go" or summer meals from the school while receiving P-EBT.

P-EBT is a program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).  Please visit the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) webpage for the most current information.


SNP/SSO Resources

Operational Resources

Meal Service Tips

Child and Adult Care Food Programs

For regulation and additional information, not related to operation during COVID-19, visit the CACFP Webpage
CACFP and SFSP Contacts
CACFP Resources

Operational Resources

Meal Service Tips
Safety and Sanitation Resources
 

Summer Food Service Programs

For regulation and additional information, not related to operation during COVID-19, visit the SFSP Webpage
CACFP and SFSP Contacts
SFSP Resources

Operational Resources

Meal Service Tips


Let's show the nation how Oregon's Child Nutrition Programs are rising to meet the need of feeding children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Share your District or Organizations' success stories with us by emailing ODE CNP at ODE Nutrition Programs. 


Don't forget to Follow ODE on Twitter @ORDeptEd

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