Serving meals to young people year-round benefits children, families, and care providers. To do this, many providers transition from operating the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool (ARAS) during the school year to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) while school is out. For an overview of the main differences between SFSP and CACFP ARAS, see the comparison chart below.
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This memorandum provides best practices for establishing a single application process for experienced program operators providing year-round meal services to at-risk children in low-income areas. This memorandum applies to State administering agencies and local organizations operating both the Summer Food Service and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.
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The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 authorized a permanent, nationwide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) Program beginning in 2024. The USDA released a memorandum providing information to assist States and territories in preparing to implement Summer EBT in 2024.
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USDA released a memo addressing guidance for approved levels of meals for vended sites in the Summer Food Service Program.
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USDA released a memo addressing sponsors’ monitoring requirements of its sites and food service operations in the Summer Food Service Program.
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USDA released a memo addressing site selection criteria during Sponsor and Site Reviews in the Summer Food Service Program.
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USDA released a memo with a second set of questions and answers on the rural non-congregate summer meals option established through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The memorandum addresses the following topics: State Agency approval of non-congregate meal service; sponsors, site, and participant eligibility; meal service; monitoring; reporting; and general/miscellaneous guidance.
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USDA has released guidance regarding on-site and off-site strategies and options for oversight and monitoring of the Summer Food Service Program.
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In approved states beginning summer 2023, Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and NSLP Seamless Summer Option (SSO) sponsors can operate non-congregate programs in rural communities without access to a congregate meal site. Our partners at No Kid Hungry have created a resource that outlines effective models for non-congregate meal service. Use their guide to find strategies and tactics to execute a successful non-congregate summer meals program in your rural community.
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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.
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