The Weekly Update · Aug. 5, 2026

Free Civil Rights Training, CNIPS & FFVP Updates

Here’s what you need to know this week:

Free Civil Rights Training

As you’re working on back-to-school training, don’t forget that our free Civil Rights training videos are available on our website in both English and Spanish. All training materials are available for free on our public website. PRO members can watch from within the LunchAssist PRO training library so that your training is tracked within the software. 💚

Remember that all child nutrition program staff need to have Civil Rights training at least once each school year! These free videos are a great way to knock this requirement out in just 15 minutes, while re-inspiring your team about the special role we play in upholding civil rights on school campuses nationwide.

Back-to-School Training

Speaking of training, we’ve been busy updating content within LunchAssist PRO and are excited to share that we now have over 60 training videos available ~ with more coming soon, including a forthcoming leadership training series that we are so excited to share with you! 🤩 Check out what’s inside by flipping through our Course Catalog.

PRO members use these videos in a variety of ways: playing short sections during in-person training, assigning lessons via the new “assign training” feature, or downloading the accompanying PDF slide decks to teach staff yourself (without needing to build a slide deck)!

We’ve also curated a list of essential back-to-school training topics via this Back-to-School Training Checklist & the Back-to-School Training Playlist inside of PRO. Don’t forget about the new training requirements on procurement & food allergies ~ we’ve got video lessons for those too!

Still not a PRO member? What are you waiting for? Email mike@lunchassist.org to sign up!

Annual Updates in CNIPS

The SY 26-27 annual updates for SNP and CACFP are both open in California’s CNIPS. If you haven’t completed these yet, get started now!

School Nutrition Program
SNP Instructions
CEP Instructions ~ specific to schools on CEP!
Due before you submit your first claim of SY 26-27
CACFP
Instructions for center sponsors with 2 or more sites
Instructions for independent centers with only 1 CACFP site
Due by Aug. 28

FFVP Updates

FFVP Funding Results for CA schools were announced last week. Check the list of schools & funding amounts here! Review the grant webpage and mark your calendars for those claim submission dates & reporting deadlines. ✅

FYI: for SY 25-26 FFVP grantees, we are still waiting for CDE to send out SY 25-26 final report info.

USDA also recently published a new FFVP policy memo providing key info on FFVP program requirements & funding deadlines.

⭐️ Resources

NEW! August Checklist
SY 26-27 Federal Reimbursement Rates Chart
UPDATED! SY 26-27 California Reimbursement Rates Chart
UPDATED! SY 26-27 Adult Meal Pricing Tool
UPDATED! Training Library Course Catalog
ICYMI! The Lunch Break May 7 Recording

📆 Upcoming Events

✨ Aug. 6: The Lunch Break by LunchAssist ~ all things Back-to-School!
✨ Aug. 20: Procurement Review Prep Call by LunchAssist!

Aug. 24: SNA Advocacy in Action Webinar - SNA
Aug. 26: Real Food Needs Real Kitchens - Chef Ann Foundation
Aug. 27: Afterschool Meals Matter: Strategies & Practical Takeaways - FRAC
Aug. 27: CA Farm to School Network Call - CDFA

✨ Sep. 3: SY 26-27 SNP AR Kick-Off Call on The Lunch Break!

LunchAssist is an allowable use of the Cafeteria Fund, KIT Funds, and R&R Grant. 🥳 Schedule a demo to learn more.

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