Skip to content

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

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.

Read More

Successful Non-Congregate Meal Service Models for Rural Areas

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.

Read More

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 More

Free Webinar Child Nutrition Programs Proposed Rule: Revisions to the CACFP and SFSP Meal Patterns

The USDA released a document with proposed revisions to Child Nutrition Programs’ meal patterns in order to be consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We’re partnering with USDA and other organizations to host a webinar on how these proposed changes would impact the CACFP and SFSP. After the webinar, we’ll be hosting our own Q&A session for our NCA members and their feedback.

Read More

Scholarship Recipients Announced for #NCNC23

Fifteen scholarships have been awarded from the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for the 2023 National Child Nutrition Conference. Through the scholarship program, NCA is honored to recognize the professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s most vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food.

Read More

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

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

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 More