The Lunchbox Letter: Plates & Possibilities
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Open/Close
CBS will be closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Monday, October 12th). Please let us know whether your center will be open or closed, if you have not done so already, using this form. We will ensure meals are provided in advance if you are open and operating!
Open/Close Policy & Number Adjustments Policy
Beginning October 1, CBS will be instituting new policies as it relates to Open/Close dates and requests for increases in number of meals provided.
Open/Close Policy: CBS will reach out each summer (already completed for 2026) to collect centers’ closure dates for the full program year. If CBS is not given a center’s closure dates, we will assume the center is closed on the same days that CBS Food Program is closed. Centers who did not submit closure dates will not receive meals or double deliveries on the days that CBS is closed. Centers who have yet to submit their closure dates are welcome to submit them as soon as possible to avoid missing out on meals for their center.
Number Adjustments: CBS will make number of meals adjustments once a week, on Friday’s delivery for Monday’s meal. A center must request a numbers adjustment by Wednesday at 12pm for the increase to take effect on Friday’s delivery for Monday’s meal. This policy has been created to allow for number of meals adjustments to be made uniform across all centers and to allow for the purchase of additional food when the number of meals increase dramatically.
CBS is Back on Social Media!
We’re back on social media- including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! Follow our pages to stay up-to-date on what CBS is up to. A special prize will be given to the first person to follow all of our accounts.
News & Reminders for Participating Centers!
CACFP: Quick Reference Guide
This resource is designed to provide staff with a clear overview of key procedures, expectations, and compliance requirements. Use this guide as a day-to-day tool for operations and who to contact if you need assistance! Click here to access, print, and share with your center staff!
Reminder! Infant Enrollment Forms
When enrolling infants under one year old, please ensure you are having the parent/guardian complete the Infant Enrollment Form, in addition to the forms on KidKare. Please send the completed form to info@cbsfoodprogram.com. CBS will not be able to process Infant Orders without this form!
Reminder! Bulk Orders
Please ensure you are placing your bulk order timely, at minimum two weeks in advance of needing product, and once a month!
If you are in need of your bulk order as soon as possible, CBS is offering bulk pick up at our Warehouse. Just let us know via the bulk order form if you are interested in picking up!
As a reminder, CBS no longer offers napkins as part of your paper product bulk order. We apologize if this causes any inconveniences.
NEW! Extra Meals Requests
Is your center open on days when the school district is closed? Will you have additional school aged children on-site that you will need meals for that day?
Please let CBS Food Program know the list of dates and number of extra meals you will need. CBS will need this information at least one week in advance of needing the extra meals. Please email the list of days and number of meals to info@cbsfoodprogram.com.
Advocacy Spotlight
Millions of people have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since the budget reconciliation law (H.R. 1) was enacted last July. Matters will get even worse once states are required to pay for SNAP benefit costs for the first time ever starting in October 2027. With no time to prepare and adjust already overstrained budgets, states will be forced to decide whether to cut transportation, education, food assistance, or opt out of SNAP altogether.
You can help by urging your Members of Congress to stop, or at the very least, secure a two-year delay of the SNAP benefit cost shift to states. By taking action this year, Congress can protect SNAP, strengthen families, communities, and the economy and move closer to building a nation free from hunger.
FRAC (Food Research & Action Center) resources to support your advocacy:
- Read the blog and fact sheet about the House and Senate Farm Bills and key H.R.1 policies that should be reversed
- See and share FRAC’s SNAP Participation Data Dashboard
- Raise awareness with FRAC’s digital toolkit
- Submit a letter to the editor to your local paper about the importance of SNAP
- Send an email to your Senators calling for the reversal of SNAP cuts in H.R.1
CACFP Resources
Farm to CACFP Week | October 18th – 24th, 2026
You can enter to win a $100 eGift Card and a National CACFP Association Membership! Earn an entry by completing our giveaway form, letting CACFP know you plan to participate, registering for the Farm to CACFP Webinars, and following the National CACFP Association on Facebook!
Rooted in Goodness: Launching Farm to CACFP with Local Vegetables | October 19 @ 2pm
Discover practical ways to connect CACFP menus with local agriculture, regardless of your region, season, or budget. Register to join the webinar for free!
PA Farm to School Network Strategic Plan Information Session | October 29 @ 3pm
Register here to attend and hear the introduction to the Network’s Strategic Plan and opportunities for involvement!
CACFP Autumn Activity Page
Check out this fun resource for directions on Apple-themed crafts, games, and recipe ideas. Happy Fall Y’all!
National Recognition Opportunity
The 2026 National Farm to School Month Storytelling Contest is open and accepting stories through November 13, 2026. Share your farm to school story through photos, videos, written stories, artwork, etc., and be entered into a raffle for farm to school swag! Learn more and submit your story.
October Menus are Live!
October Hot and Box menus are ready!
Visit our CBS Food Program website and click on Menus (on the top right corner) to view and print menu(s) for your center.
As a reminder, menu(s) must be posted in a communal and visible area for all staff,
parents, and children to see. This is a requirement of the CACFP and something your monitors will look for during their visits.
Share Your Center’s News!
Any news to share from your center? This newsletter is meant to be interactive! If your center is hosting an event, looking for donations/volunteers, or has a fun or exciting story to highlight, we would love to include it here! Email amara@cbsfoodprogram.com with any content you’d like us to include in future newsletter editions!
