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News & Events

Site Selection Criteria During Sponsor and Site Reviews in the SFSP

May 25, 2023

USDA released a memo addressing site selection criteria during Sponsor and Site Reviews in the Summer Food Service Program.

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Q&A: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas

April 20, 2023

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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On-site/Off-site Monitoring Guidance (SFSP)

April 6, 2023

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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Successful Non-Congregate Meal Service Models for Rural Areas

April 6, 2023

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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Guidance on Performance Standards, Budgets, and Management Plans in the Summer Food Service Program

March 7, 2023

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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Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs

March 3, 2023

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.

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Implementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas

February 28, 2023

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.

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Diverse group of children sitting in the grass eating healthy snacks and drinking water.

Final Rule: Streamlining Program Requirements and Improving Integrity in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

September 19, 2022

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.

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man looking through binoculars with words sfsp operators field guide above him

Field Guide for SFSP Operators

July 29, 2022

The definitive directory of resources for Summer Food Service Program operators, including links to USDA guidance and downloadable freebies.

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Summer 2022 Waiver Update

July 13, 2022

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

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