Summer Meals
Guidance on Performance Standards, Budgets, and Management Plans in the Summer Food Service Program
In September 2022, FNS published the Final Rule: Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the SFSP. Compliance with the provisions of the rule must begin by May 1, 2023. The USDA released a memo to provide guidance for state agencies and program operators on SFSP performance standards, budgets, and management plans which were aligned with other child nutrition programs through the final rule.
Read MoreConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs
Summer EBT will provide EBT benefits on an ongoing basis to low-income children during the summer months to ensure continued access to meals and snacks when school is not in session. For 2024, benefits are an amount equal to $40 per month per eligible child during the summer operational period.
Read MoreImplementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, established a permanent non-congregate meal service option for rural areas with no congregate meal service available. This memorandum provides guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the SFSP.
Read MoreFinal Rule: Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
Food and Nutrition Service amended the regulations of the Summer Food Service Program in September 2022 to strengthen program integrity and streamline program administration. The final rule codifies changes that will simplify the application process, enhance monitoring requirements, clarify existing requirements, and provide more discretion at the state agency level to manage program operations.
Read MoreField Guide for SFSP Operators
The definitive directory of resources for Summer Food Service Program operators, including links to USDA guidance and downloadable freebies.
Read MoreSummer 2022 Waiver Update
The recently passed Keep Kids Fed Act (KKFA) extended USDA’s nationwide waiver authority. To date, USDA has released seven waivers related to summer 2022 operations
Read MoreSFSP 2022 Reimbursement Rates
The USDA has released the SFSP reimbursement rates for 2022.
Read MoreQ&A – Child Nutrition Program Operations in School Year 2021-2022
This memorandum provides Q&As related to the Nationwide Waivers released for School Year 2021-2022.
Read MorePandemic EBT – Summer 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new effort funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) to provide adequate nutrition to more than 30 million children over the summer by expanding Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits.
Read MoreNationwide Waiver to Allow Summer Food Service Program Reimbursement Rates in School Year 2021-2022
This waiver allows school food authorities to claim National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option meals and snacks at the Summer Food Service Program reimbursement rates.
Read More