History:
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federal program designed to provide free, nutritious meals to children eighteen and under in low-income neighborhoods during the months when school is not in session. Even though the SFSP started in 1968 as a pilot program, it became a separate, permanent program in 1975.
At the federal level, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the SFSP and the New York State Education Department (SED) administers SFSP at the state level. Local, public and private schools, non-profit agencies, state or local governments and camps may sponsor the SFSP and serve meals at particular neighborhood sites.
Eligibility:
Summer meals provided at certain open sites are free to children age eighteen and under. For these open sites located in low-income areas, families do not have to fill out any forms and any child may eat the meal. Enrolled sites and camp/sports programs may utilize the SFSP to feed children, but require paperwork documentation and are often limited to certain participating children.
Benefits/Meal Component:
Sponsors may choose to serve breakfast, lunch, supper, snack, or a certain combination of meals throughout the summer. While the nutritional quality of the meals is guided by the USDA, individual sponsors may use discretion of which foods to serve as part of the meal.
Funding:
The SFSP is a federal entitlement program. The federal government provides funding for approved sponsors to operate a SFSP. SED administers reimbursement per meal. For the last several years, New York State has also provided to sponsors supplemental funding.
How to Apply:
To locate the nearest open Summer Food site in your neighborhood, call the Summer Food hotline at: 1-800-522-5006. Agencies interested in becoming a new sponsor of the program may call SED at: 518-432-5068.
Click here for more information about the SFSP
