Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

Overview

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established to ensure that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free meals that meet Federal nutrition guidelines are provided to all children at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children.

A sponsoring organization must be a public or private non-profit. Some sponsor types include:

  • School Food Authority (SFA);
  • college or university;
  • residential summer camp;
  • a unit of local, county, municipal, State, or Federal Government;
  • food banks, libraries, Boys and Girls Club, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)/Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), churches and many other types of private non-profit organizations.

Sites can be located in a wide variety of locations such as schools, parks, libraries, pools, and community centers. Sponsors may be reimbursed for up to two meal types per day. Camps and migrant sites may be approved to serve up to three meals per day.

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)

Qualifying and Applying

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free nutritious meals to kids and teens 18 and under during summer break. Over 250 supervised locations in Utah offer a breakfast, lunch, or snack. Feeding locations typically open as school lets out for the summer. We are always looking for sponsors and site operators.

Getting Involved

How to Participate in Summer Meals Fact Sheet(External Web Content)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Food and Nutrition Services (FNS)

Becoming a Summer Sponsors

SFSP sponsors handle administrative and financial oversight of the program. Public and private nonprofit organizations that have the ability to manage a food service program, such as schools, faith-based organizations, municipal parks, food banks, Boys and Girls Clubs, local government agencies and day camps, are eligible to become sponsors.

If you believe you qualify to become a SFSP Sponsor and are interested in operating the program, please contact us for more information.

Becoming a Summer Site

There are many different community locations that can serve as a summer meal site such as schools, parks, libraries, pools, and community centers. There are also several different types of sites that may qualify for the program, but in general must show that the site is located in an area of economic need. Opening a summer meal site under an existing sponsor may be easier than you think.

Summer Sites:

  • Distribute meals to the children
  • Provide a sheltered, supervised area for eating
  • Conduct outreach to encourage kids to come to your site
  • Attend your sponsor's training
  • Keep daily records of meals served
  • Supervise meal service at your location

Training

All Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors are required to complete State Agency training as part of the initial application and annual renewal process.

Summer Food Service Program

Reimbursement Rates

Sponsors receive federal reimbursement for all meals served to eligible participants. Sponsors receive a higher reimbursement rate if their site is located in a rural area or if your meals are self-prepared. These rates are updated each year in March or April. All meals and snacks will be given an additional 1.5 cents credit or entitlement to purchase United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods. Summer sponsors may also claim up to 2% second meals served to eligible participants.

Reimbursement Rates Effective January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. Applies to all states except Alaska and Hawaii.

Reimbursement Rates Self Prep/Rural:

  • Breakfast: $2.8250
  • Lunch/Supper: $4.9500
  • Snack: $1.1675

Reimbursement Rates Urban/Vended:

  • Breakfast: $2.7725
  • Lunch/Supper: $4.8700
  • Snack: $1.1400

USDA foods entitlement is approximately $0.015 per meal/snack.

Reimbursement Claims

Claims are due by the 4th working day of the month (to receive a payment by the end of that month).

Claims must be submitted:

  • No later than 60 days from the end of the month being claimed

One a claim has been submitted:

  • you can amend the claim within 60 days if you're claiming additional meals
  • You can amend at any time if you are claiming fewer meals

Policy

In coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) our office distributes policy memorandums to provide guidance and clarify program requirements and regulations.

Memorandum: New Bulletin Distribution Explanation
A quick tutorial on how our office structures and distributes policy

Summary of USDA’s Nationwide Child Nutrition Waivers in Response to COVID-19(External Web Content)

Highlighted USDA/FNS Policy Bulletins/Memorandums

Utah State Board of Education (USBE) CNP has applied for the following waivers for summer 2023 operations:

FNS Documents and Resources(External Web Content)
Allows you to search for current and archived USDA/FNS published policy memorandums.

USBE CNP has requested the following waivers via the Summer 2024 Child Nutrition Programs 12(l) Waiver Checklist. Please contact us if you would like to see the request document.

  • Waivers related to excessive heat:
    • Waiver 1: Non-Congregate Meal Service
    • Waiver 2: Parent/Guardian Meal Pickup
    • Waiver 3: Meal Service Times
  • Waivers related to air quality advisories:
    • Waiver 4: Non-Congregate Meal Service
    • Waiver 5: Parent/Guardian Meal Pickup
    • Waiver 6: Meal Service Times
  • Waivers related to Offer Versus Serve:
    • Waiver 7: Offer Versus Serve
  • Waivers related to school closures:
    • Waiver 8: Non-Congregate Meal Service
    • Waiver 9: Parent/Guardian Meal Pickup
    • Waiver 10: Meal Service Times
    • Waiver 11: Service of Meals at School Sites
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