Summer Meals
Implementation Guidance for the Rural Non-congregate Option
USDA released a memo that highlights key information on the new regulatory requirements for non-congregate summer meal service in rural areas.
Read MoreNearly 21 Million Children Expected to Receive New Grocery Benefit This Summer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that 35 states, all five U.S. territories, and four tribes plan to be the first to launch the new, permanent summer grocery benefits program for children – known as Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer – in summer 2024.
Read MoreCrediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products
USDA released guidance that extends the option of serving commercially prepared tofu and soy yogurt as meat alternates to infants 6-11 months participating in the CACFP. The memo also extends the ability to serve tofu and soy yogurt as meat alternates in SFSP.
Read MoreSFSP Boot Camp is Here!
Join us for a day of learning on vital topics tailored to the unique needs of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
Read MoreBest Practices for Determining Proximity of Sites in the SFSPÂ
USDA’s memorandum, SFSP 15-2023, provides best practices for preventing approval of multiple sites serving the same meals at the same time to the same children.
Read MoreSFSP Question and Answer – 2023 RevisedÂ
USDA updated their previous Summer Food Service Program Question and Answer guidance (SFSP 05-2017) in September of 2023.
Read MoreSFSP Unused Reimbursement Guidance
In order to maintain program integrity and proper use of SFSP funds, it is important that both sponsors and state agencies understand what to do when there are remaining, unused funds at the end of the program year. USDA released two pieces of updated guidance regarding unused reimbursement in the SFSP.
Read MoreProgram Comparison Chart: CACFP At-Risk Afterschool and SFSP
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.
Read MoreBest Practices for Streamlining Applications for Year-Round Program Operations
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.
Read MoreInitial Guidance for State Implementation of Summer EBT in 2024
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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